I very much appreciated your risk assessment at the beginning of this video. Understanding how things can go wrong is a great first step in taking the appropriate precautions to keep things from going wrong in the first place. I speak from experience having recently broken my hip in two places. I am only partially through a projected 12 week recuperation process but do expect to recover fully. My injury was not on-the-job or electrical work related but I failed to recognize the hazard before it was too late. I have noticed that you work alone in many of your jobs. If you were to get injured, God forbid, being alone would compound your difficulties. Thank you for putting these outstanding educational videos together for the rest of us to benefit from. Being somewhat limited I have lots of time for UA-cam videos these days. -Respectfully
What a brilliant comment, real sorry for your injury, hope you are well on the way to recovery. You can’t always see the hazard till it rears up and bites you, but my feet is broken legs in engine bays, falling or stepping into an open hatch could be very damaging. I am very often alone, but will always have my phone at hand, with first aiders in the marina office. All I can be is as careful as possible.
Safety Sally here... I would think you should have mask on, just even a cheap one so you don't breath the acidic dust you are stirring up from the top of the batteries. I learned that the hard way one time as well. You know when you can taste that in your mouth you are breathing it in as well. Great job sir. 👍🤠
You are correct "sally" I only noticed the dust when I watched the footage. A lesson learned there. Thanks for the positive comment, really appreciate it.
Hello Marty, great VLOG, as a seasoned electrician I'm sure you've heard this one, I was instructed by an old school Mechanic to lightly spray the batteries with a water & baking soda mixture, to keep down airborne particles and it helps neutralize the corrosion and acid, also using a stubby ratchet with a deep socket to prevent possible shorts (as long as you have overhead space), I've been there and done that, thank God for the removable panel, on heavy equipment, we didn't have that luxury, be safe, that's a very physical and dangerous job.
Hi Jake, great comment, I hadn't actually heard that about baking soda and water. Thats a really good idea, I'll bear that in mind for the future. This might sound odd, but I don't always use ratchets with sockets over batteries. This is only because a spanner is one item, and if you notice I shield the end with my hand all the time. A ratchet and socket is two, and I have had them come apart under load, not often but thats why I don't personally. If that panel wasnt there, I think I would have cleared off lol. I'm glad I don't need to do that everyday Jake.
Another great video thanks, picking up our narrowboat on Monday and been learning as much as possible, these videos have been very useful , thankyou. What's the best way of reaching you for work? As there's a few upgrades I would like to have done. Thanks again for the videos
Hi watched a couple of your videos & feel I can trust your opinion. I have been on my boat for 3 years with no problems at all. I've recently had batteries changed. My boat always started first time so I only needed 6 new leisures. At first I was told I had 5 leisure & 2 starters which I disputed so I was then told that 1 of the leisures is actually the starter. After the work was done I believe they swapped my actual starter for a new leisure & left me now with 6 new leisures &1 old no good leisure. When I complained they just quoted me for a new starter. Could you tell me please if a leisure battery used as a starter would work perfectly for over 3 years? Since this work has been done my engine won't even crank & my solar isn't working properly. I am single female that just doesn't won't to get ripped off. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sorry for the delay, I’ve been away. All seems very odd. It would be quite unusual to have two starter batteries unless it’s a 24v system. People do have some odd ideas though. A leisure battery will start an engine, and in some cases, all the batteries are the same “dual purpose” design. These are often installed by boat builders that just buy pallets of one battery. Having said that a starter battery and a leisure battery are designed for different purposes. The starter to give very high currents for short periods of time, and a leisure to give lower currents for long periods of time. It’s impossible for me to know what was and what is now, so I can’t really advise on that. I hope you have it sorted now? There are some really good guys and a whole load of cowboys on the canals.
Hi Don, the customer knows when the storage capacity is dropping. The decision was made to replace them based on that and their age. Would they still have some life, well yes of course, but they would not be able to be useful in a decent system and they have regularly been taken down near 11v so that causes long term harm to them. This often happens as batteries get old. THope that answers your question Don. Thanks for commenting
Dont like them Robert, have used on very high voltages back in the steel industry. They are very bulky and get damaged in day to day use, so would not rely on them. If you noticed I cover the spanner end, hold it securely and do not put down near any terminals. So its a safe operation for me, for others who may be not so careful, may be not so much, Good comment though.
So I currently have 2 rather large led acid as domestic power which if I'm right in understanding your vlogs means I don't have many amp hours if I replace their with 4 smaller it should double my amp hours I think it's a 24v system and can I for the life of me find the battery's you use from the link in your vlogs thanks in advance
Hi boat mania. You can get the lead carbons from here.www.peachment.co.uk/news/lead-carbon-batteries/. I don’t understand the rest of the comment unfortunately. Are you saying you have two 12v in series?
That is why I hate flooded cells in boats. They are the "cheapest" to install, but sure can be messy and maintenance intensive. I have switched out the LiFePo4's now, lighter and much more capacity for the size. I know they are high cost, but so much cleaner installs.
Can't argue, I got a lithium install next week. Not everyone can afford that and to be honest its not suitable for everyone, or every boat for that matter. A lot boaters will still go flooded, but I am managing to get some of them at least to AGM or Gel, Flooded just don't make any sense anymore. Thanks for commenting.
i have 4x 12v 220a lorry batteries on my boat for domestic.. my boat is 24v ... there getting on abit now and have a limited budget.. would just replacing with new lorry batteries be ok? thanks for the great videos..
Lorry batteries are designed to deliver lots of current for a short time, Deep cycle have to deliver a lesser current for longer periods. I'm sure lorry batteries are over engineered but they are not designed as a domestic battery bank. But would it work? Well yes of course.
That's not an easy job. I worked on motorbikes for years and a few times batteries just exploded getting them out or the vent pipes were bent blocking the gases venting then the battery would swell up. I think those 6v are 30kg each bloody heavy things. On a hot day in an engine bay is very hot and hard on knees and back. Interesting vlogs.
It was Will, but it was one of those jobs where I just had to get on with it. I had to postpone for a week as knee was all twisted up, but got there. I installed the A2B yesterday so that will be published on Friday. Thanks for commenting.
My boss at time Is crap at electric, he was trying to jump the lorry off with about 4 X 644type battery. Basically he'd super charged the 12v battery's..... As id redid the jump leads.... He said do you want this on the lorry earth, just as I was stud above the last battery and was about to touch ......I shouted NO...... Too late I got a face full.....I was very very lucky only afew small splashes on my left side of face. My cap, coat and trousers got the most. As you say be very careful around even dead lead acid batteries.
Hi Marc, a relatively lucky escape. They have so much stored power, even at this low voltage they will deliver 1000's of amps in a very short time in short circuit conditions. I'd tell you boss to get back in the office!
I very much appreciated your risk assessment at the beginning of this video. Understanding how things can go wrong is a great first step in taking the appropriate precautions to keep things from going wrong in the first place. I speak from experience having recently broken my hip in two places. I am only partially through a projected 12 week recuperation process but do expect to recover fully. My injury was not on-the-job or electrical work related but I failed to recognize the hazard before it was too late. I have noticed that you work alone in many of your jobs. If you were to get injured, God forbid, being alone would compound your difficulties. Thank you for putting these outstanding educational videos together for the rest of us to benefit from. Being somewhat limited I have lots of time for UA-cam videos these days.
-Respectfully
What a brilliant comment, real sorry for your injury, hope you are well on the way to recovery. You can’t always see the hazard till it rears up and bites you, but my feet is broken legs in engine bays, falling or stepping into an open hatch could be very damaging. I am very often alone, but will always have my phone at hand, with first aiders in the marina office. All I can be is as careful as possible.
Great Stuff Martin
Safety Sally here... I would think you should have mask on, just even a cheap one so you don't breath the acidic dust you are stirring up from the top of the batteries. I learned that the hard way one time as well. You know when you can taste that in your mouth you are breathing it in as well. Great job sir. 👍🤠
You are correct "sally" I only noticed the dust when I watched the footage. A lesson learned there. Thanks for the positive comment, really appreciate it.
I will NEVER complain again about having to remove the seat in a transit to get the batteries out 😮 what an arse of a job, well done 👍
You aint wrong mate! But success was the outcome, wish I was younger though.
You sir, are fun to learn from! You explain everything so well even a daft old bugger like myself can understand the whys as well as the whats.
That’s really nice mate. I try and keep it not nerdy. I’m a daft old bugger myself lol.
I just love your work and how you make these video's so interesting. Keep up the good work Marty and hope to see you on the cut some day .
Thanks Andy, appreciate that, and I will do mate.
Hello Marty, great VLOG, as a seasoned electrician I'm sure you've heard this one, I was instructed by an old school Mechanic to lightly spray the batteries with a water & baking soda mixture, to keep down airborne particles and it helps neutralize the corrosion and acid, also using a stubby ratchet with a deep socket to prevent possible shorts (as long as you have overhead space), I've been there and done that, thank God for the removable panel, on heavy equipment, we didn't have that luxury, be safe, that's a very physical and dangerous job.
Hi Jake, great comment, I hadn't actually heard that about baking soda and water. Thats a really good idea, I'll bear that in mind for the future. This might sound odd, but I don't always use ratchets with sockets over batteries. This is only because a spanner is one item, and if you notice I shield the end with my hand all the time. A ratchet and socket is two, and I have had them come apart under load, not often but thats why I don't personally. If that panel wasnt there, I think I would have cleared off lol. I'm glad I don't need to do that everyday Jake.
Another great video thanks, picking up our narrowboat on Monday and been learning as much as possible, these videos have been very useful , thankyou. What's the best way of reaching you for work? As there's a few upgrades I would like to have done. Thanks again for the videos
Thanks for the great comment, you can get me on electrician@kingfisher-marine.co.uk
Hi watched a couple of your videos & feel I can trust your opinion. I have been on my boat for 3 years with no problems at all. I've recently had batteries changed. My boat always started first time so I only needed 6 new leisures. At first I was told I had 5 leisure & 2 starters which I disputed so I was then told that 1 of the leisures is actually the starter. After the work was done I believe they swapped my actual starter for a new leisure & left me now with 6 new leisures &1 old no good leisure. When I complained they just quoted me for a new starter. Could you tell me please if a leisure battery used as a starter would work perfectly for over 3 years? Since this work has been done my engine won't even crank & my solar isn't working properly. I am single female that just doesn't won't to get ripped off. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sorry for the delay, I’ve been away. All seems very odd. It would be quite unusual to have two starter batteries unless it’s a 24v system. People do have some odd ideas though. A leisure battery will start an engine, and in some cases, all the batteries are the same “dual purpose” design. These are often installed by boat builders that just buy pallets of one battery. Having said that a starter battery and a leisure battery are designed for different purposes. The starter to give very high currents for short periods of time, and a leisure to give lower currents for long periods of time. It’s impossible for me to know what was and what is now, so I can’t really advise on that. I hope you have it sorted now? There are some really good guys and a whole load of cowboys on the canals.
Hi . Will they all of failed or are some still fit for use maybe as an individual battery ? rgds Don
Hi Don, the customer knows when the storage capacity is dropping. The decision was made to replace them based on that and their age. Would they still have some life, well yes of course, but they would not be able to be useful in a decent system and they have regularly been taken down near 11v so that causes long term harm to them. This often happens as batteries get old. THope that answers your question Don. Thanks for commenting
Surely you should be using a VDE socket set or a VDE spanners when changing batteries to prevent shorts
Dont like them Robert, have used on very high voltages back in the steel industry. They are very bulky and get damaged in day to day use, so would not rely on them. If you noticed I cover the spanner end, hold it securely and do not put down near any terminals. So its a safe operation for me, for others who may be not so careful, may be not so much, Good comment though.
So I currently have 2 rather large led acid as domestic power which if I'm right in understanding your vlogs means I don't have many amp hours if I replace their with 4 smaller it should double my amp hours I think it's a 24v system and can I for the life of me find the battery's you use from the link in your vlogs thanks in advance
Hi boat mania. You can get the lead carbons from here.www.peachment.co.uk/news/lead-carbon-batteries/. I don’t understand the rest of the comment unfortunately. Are you saying you have two 12v in series?
@@narrowboatelectrician how do Mr yes they are 120 amp hour so if I understand with the 2 together up to 24v I still only get 120 amp hour lol
That is why I hate flooded cells in boats. They are the "cheapest" to install, but sure can be messy and maintenance intensive. I have switched out the LiFePo4's now, lighter and much more capacity for the size. I know they are high cost, but so much cleaner installs.
Can't argue, I got a lithium install next week. Not everyone can afford that and to be honest its not suitable for everyone, or every boat for that matter. A lot boaters will still go flooded, but I am managing to get some of them at least to AGM or Gel, Flooded just don't make any sense anymore. Thanks for commenting.
i have 4x 12v 220a lorry batteries on my boat for domestic.. my boat is 24v ... there getting on abit now and have a limited budget.. would just replacing with new lorry batteries be ok? thanks for the great videos..
Lorry batteries are designed to deliver lots of current for a short time, Deep cycle have to deliver a lesser current for longer periods. I'm sure lorry batteries are over engineered but they are not designed as a domestic battery bank. But would it work? Well yes of course.
That's not an easy job. I worked on motorbikes for years and a few times batteries just exploded getting them out or the vent pipes were bent blocking the gases venting then the battery would swell up. I think those 6v are 30kg each bloody heavy things. On a hot day in an engine bay is very hot and hard on knees and back. Interesting vlogs.
It was Will, but it was one of those jobs where I just had to get on with it. I had to postpone for a week as knee was all twisted up, but got there. I installed the A2B yesterday so that will be published on Friday. Thanks for commenting.
My boss at time Is crap at electric, he was trying to jump the lorry off with about 4 X 644type battery.
Basically he'd super charged the 12v battery's.....
As id redid the jump leads....
He said do you want this on the lorry earth, just as I was stud above the last battery and was about to touch ......I shouted NO......
Too late I got a face full.....I was very very lucky only afew small splashes on my left side of face.
My cap, coat and trousers got the most.
As you say be very careful around even dead lead acid batteries.
Hi Marc, a relatively lucky escape. They have so much stored power, even at this low voltage they will deliver 1000's of amps in a very short time in short circuit conditions. I'd tell you boss to get back in the office!
You really need to lick the terminals of the batteries to check if they are fully charged !!
If only my tongue was long enough!