The marina guys had a couple of boats to crane in and out, so feeling brave, I cruised dogma over to the main jetty for a pumpout and waterfill. Warmed up the engine bay with the fanblower for a few minutes, and the engine started up fine. Despite the strong stream, she handled very well, and I didn't have to stress the throttle at all.
Steve gave Aquafax a call, and apparently they have a weekly shipment of units. If our inverter doesn't turn up this wednesday, it will be here next wednesday. Still no news, as to what the problem was. But it's good to know that it's on it's way home.
Asked him about the possibility of rigging up the leisure batts to provide starting capability when it's cold, and the starter battery is flattened. Out in the wild, we won't have the luxury of being able to use the fanblower. All that's needed is a switch, and a bit of cabling.
I don't normally like to blow my own trumpet, but... PARRRRP!. Manoevered dogma back onto her mooring like a pro. Didn't ram anything, or get tangled up with the sunken boat behind us. Small journey. Big satisfaction.
I am surprised you are having problems with your starter battery, they are normally good for several years as all they do is start the engine and then get recharged.They don't do anything while you are sat on your moorings unlike the domestics, but being on the Thames you do start/stop the engine more than we do on the canals at all the locks.
ReplyDeleteWhat engine do you have that requires external heating, this is most unusual on a modern engine in good condition.
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Sorry, just gone back through your blog and see you are running everything of the starter. not a good option. Best of luck getting the domestics sorted
ReplyDeleteHi Brian & Diana,
ReplyDelete>>I am surprised you are having problems with your starter battery, they are normally good for several years as all they do is start the engine and then get recharged.
The battery is OK, it's taking and holding a charge. But unheated, we have to dangle off the key for quite a while, before the engine (hopefully) chugs into life. I'm aware that isn't good for the starter motor, but short of handcranking, I don't see what else I can do. There was a can of "eazi-start" in the bow locker. but I wouldn't have a clue where to spray it.
>>What engine do you have that requires external heating, this is most unusual on a modern engine in good condition.
It's a Bukh DV20, from (we think) 1980. No injection heating. Reliably serviced, checked & tested in 2010. Runs beautifully, and a complete joy, when going. But a sod to start up from cold. I've read that they're notorious for it.