Quick Visit to see new Webasto

 Yesterday we made a quick trip up to the boat for a specific purpose - to see our new Webasto. (Actually we never looked into the engine bay but were keener to see how the controller is operated.

So, what's all this about? Well, on our last short visit we found that the radiators were not doing very well and also that, once again, a full tank of diesel had been used up. This was further underlined when a liveaboard neighbour reported hearing the Webasto firing up rather frequently. We thought that we had left it switched off. We also tried to bleed the radiators and at least one had a lot of air in it.

A few days after our return we had a call from the marina that the heater had been running almost continuously. We asked for a recommendation about a suitable local engineer that knows about Webastos and we were put in touch with Simon from oxmarineservices. We contacted him and explained the situation and he agreed to take a look asap - he does quite a bit of work on boats in the marina.

The report back indicated that several parts of the heater were no longer working properly and that a simple replacement of parts might end up expensive - confirmed by our experience last year. He gave us two estimates - one for a like-for-like replacement of a reconditioned main unit, re-using the existing controller. The other was for an entirely new, current version, of the Webasto heater and their newer controller design. Whilst this was much the more expensive option, after some deliberation we went that way as we did not want a repeat performance of just replacing the presenting problem. We also wanted to have a means of positively switching the heater off. 

The work should have been finished Wednesday but Simon had problems with his supplier and there was a day's delay in receiving the controller part of the order! We re-booked our visit to Tuesday next week as he was not confident of finishing even on Thursday. (We had already said that we were free to come up Friday but Monday we have visitors for lunch)

But then, late on Thursday we had a further message that the installation was complete and he would be at the marina the next day on another job. 

So we set the alarm early (ish!) for Friday and were on the road just after 8.30, giving us a good margin to be at Cropredy by 11 as agreed. Just as well as we were soon informed by satnav of a delay on the M40 - turned out to be a lorry that had broken down in the slow lane, causing at least a 20 - 30 minute delay. The alternative route through Brackley is normally a bit slower but today would get us to the marina still ahead of schedule. In the end, by the time we reached Junction 10 we were routed back on the normal track and reached the marina around 10:40.

Simon came quickly across the marina from the other boat where he was now working and spent some time going through the new installation with us. The original installation, back in 2017, used the standard Webasto controller but it was very limited in its capability, only having one on-off each day. The builder quickly replaced this with a standard Heat Miser heating controller which had a wide range of functionality including thermostat control - but not easily a means of just turning it fully off!

Simon then explained to us that Webasto (at least now) strongly advise against using a thermostat - their combustion unit is designed for long running at a set level (individual thermostatic valves on the radiators can still be used) This is so that when the heater is turned off it can go through a lengthy cycle to burn out any residue and then cool down slowly. The thermostat controller had been calling for the heat at repeated short bursts, especially if left on frost setting.

After going through the features of the new controller it does seem to be able to do what we want, although taking a bit of trial and error as the user manual largely says to follow the menus!

Simon also had taken a look at the heating in the front cabin which from the outset had been an issue. A floor level radiator underneath the bunks had been planned but at the last minute our builder discovered that the item he had planned to use was no longer available and he could not find a substitute that would fit. There is a heating coil but that does not really heat the cabin. He has suggested a new fan blown radiator and we have agreed for him to fit that before we plan to be away on our usual 'shakedown' cruise in a few weeks time (a little later than most years)

The visit also gave Mike a chance to take a further look at the hob - the thermocouples had been playing up most of last year. However, the Thetford Argent model is no longer produced and the replacements (easier to fit in some ways) are probably incompatible with the hole in the worktop. In theory, the latest might fit but it needed a  close check.

A few days ago we found a video of someone replacing the thermocouples - it is not an entirely obvious process - and so we wanted to check that we were confident of being able to follow the instructions. This meant first doing a bit more work to access the underneath than had been needed just to find the serial number last time. The thermocouples are not cheap so we were double checking everything first!

We left mid afternoon and had to call in Banbury to top up the car battery - not quite enough capacity for the full round trip. At least the charging point did not play up this time and took our payment first time! The journey back was straightforward - no obstructing trucks this time, but some slower sections which were rather busy.

BSSC Examination

Today we were booked to have our four-yearly boat safety examination. We first used Tom Keeling back when we were buying nb Take Five and he did an in-water survey for us. He has also done some of the examinations need in the past although on at least one occasion we had to use someone located much further north!

We have never been present when an exam has been done so this time we took the time to be there. We drove up from home Sunday morning and arrived just after lunch. It was a straightforward journey with no delays but when we arrived the weather was bitterly cold.

We quickly filled up with some water, turned on the Webasto and lit the stove. Even given the outside temperature, the cabins soon warmed up to a comfortable level. We had one task to do today - to empty the gas locker of anything that ought not to be there!

Somehow, we managed to leave the Webasto set to come on as a frost protection. Even though we had reduced the setting to 7C it had operated sufficiently to nearly empty the diesel tank - that's almost a full tank's worth so not a cheap mistake to make . . . 

As we planned to set off back home as soon as the examination was complete we opted to fill up again today. At least we are beginning to discover a reasonably sensible way of exiting our basin into the next, from there out onto the canal and then back into the original basin to come onto the service point. As soon as we were filled up, we made the reverse trip. A feature of the marina is that there is a  swing pedestrian bridge over the channel between the two never basin which is normally kept closed to boats for the convenience of the moorers on the far side, nearest to the canal. Coming in to the basin there is a good waiting lace with guard fenders either side but not when going out. We are very close to the bridge and we have found it best to move in and out of our pontoon to head up the basin before turning and then having room to manoeuvre, both when going through the bridge hole and when coming onto the pontoon. At least on this occasion the wind was nothing like as feisty as last time!

An early (ish) start as Tom was due to arrive at 9 am and he was with us on the dot. It was very helpful to be able to meet and chat as he checked through his records from last time. He is quite meticulous both in examining and in recording the answers - helps when some things are not so easy to find. In the end he did not find even a recommendation for change - this would really only have been in cases where more stringent requirements have been brought in since the last test as we have not made any changes. The next day our certificate arrived and we copied it on to the marina (who are quite diligent in keeping on top of checking licence, insurance and BSS!)

With very little to have to load back into the car we were able to make a speedy getaway but the car needed some more electricity to get us home. Not sure why but the amount left in the battery (we have an electric car!) had dropped quite a bit from when we arrived. We had thought that this time we might just make it back without visiting a charger but - lesson learned - we left the boot open for rather a long time this morning and that must have taken more power than we would have guessed.

So, as soon as we left the marina we headed to the fast chargers in the retail park near to Tesco - this places as a good number of chargers - half Tesla. We pulled onto one of the Tesla points (which now use a compatible connector) but after plugging we discovered that we have to be set up with their special app as there is no card reader or control panel on the charge point itself - all done through the app!

So over to one of the general-purpose points and the card reader refused to connect to either of our cards! So, we moved to the next one and - lo! - it worked. Whilst the charging was taking place we picked up lunch to eat on the way, from a Boots next to the charging station. We only needed to take on enough to get home (with a safety margin) as home charging is a fraction of the cost.

The journey back was then uneventful. Hopefully, next time will be our usual 'shakedown' cruise - a shortish trip to make sure everything is OK and that we have not left anything crucial back at home! Still no date for a fix to Little Burton Lock so we may have no choice but to head northwards but that is not really our preferred plan.

Shopping in Banbury

We spent the morning shopping in Banbury. Our first stop was B&M as we had heard from another moorer that they were doing large sacks of good logs for a reasonable price. We discovered that they were only £16 each - we paid rather more than this for the sack we brought up from Devizes - we opted for two although stowing them may be a problem! It is highly likely that we will get through most of them before the end of the colder weather. In the summer we rely on the diesel heated radiators to take the edge off a chilly evening.

It is a substantial version of B&M with a much wider range of goods than we have spotted before. As a result we cane away with rather more than just the logs! However, they did not have any dried parsley or sweeteners. We also were on the lookout for milk and bread. More especially, Christine remembered from our last shopping foray here that she had found a good quality shoe shop on the main street. So we parked closer to the town centre and wandered around.

There are plenty of small shops but, alas, it seems that shoe shops, including the remembered one, have fallen alongside Debenhams and Wilko. We only saw a Clarks in the Castle Quay Shopping Centre and a cheap place on its Closing Down Sale! And Clarks do not stock slippers . . . 

In the afternoon, Mike took a short trip to the churchyard in Great Bourton to photograph some more gravestones, whilst Christine sorted out the boxes to go back home tomorrow.

Finding the Serial Number

Our gas hob has been playing up for a while and not staying alight after being lit. Advice seems to agree that it is likely to be the thermocouples that activate the latch that allows the gas to flow after the control knob is released. Sadly this model is no longer produced so tracking down a potential source of new parts took a while. Unfortunately the supplier we did find needed the serial,number in order to select the correct part. We attempted to take photos underneath the hob when we were on board a few weeks ago. This was not easy because a baffle board is fitted just below the hob - required by RCD apparently. It should protect the workings below the hob from damage when taking things in or out of the shelves below.

Sadly when we came to inspect the photos back at home we found that none showed the serial number. We have to remove the baffle sheet to see more of the underside and also to be able to hold the phone camera far enough away to focus properly. The sheet is held by six screws, three either side. Removing these and the sheet can't be that difficult, surely?

Well, nothing on a boat is ever easy, mainly because of the confined spaces. Moreover, it was quickly obvious that these screws had been put in with a power tool as they were reluctant to come out. The two at the front were possible to unscrew but getting enough leverage for the other entailed removing one of the cupboard doors! 

Eventually we had five of them out but the one furthest away n the right just would not come free, However, we did find that with the others out, the sheet could be dropped down far enough for this purpose.

Finally, we did locate the serial number! The arrow on the first photo above shows where it is located. Let's hope that this will suffice to sort out a repair. (The problem with fitting a whole new, but different, hob is that those currently available have square corners whilst the present one has rounded ones) 

Putting everything back was just a little easier - well, we did know what we ere doing by then. nevertheless, this took up almost all morning up to lunch time.

It had been wet overnight and the rain persisted until early afternoon.The sky was overcast and the temperature decidedly on the chilly side of unpleasant! Hence we remained tucked up with the stove stoked up to keep us very comfortable. Only braved the outside (other than retrieving things from the decks) just the once, to empty the elsan.

Diesel

After emptying an elsan cassette the main task today was to make the short trip to the fuel dock in the marina. We were quite low and wanted to be sure that there was plenty in the tank by the time we go back home on Friday. The morning was much windier than the forecast suggested but the general picture was for it to get stronger from lunchtime and for the next couple of days. Hence we needed to do it this morning. We prepared to leave our pontoon with a bit of apprehension but with a detailed plan in our minds of bow to cope with the wind in it present direction. 

The marina comprises three separate areas, the original, quite wide section (where the fuel dock is located), a central basin and then the newest part I(Swan Basin) where we are moored. Going to the fuel dock means going into the middle section via a short cut which has a foot swing bridge that has to be opened, and from there out onto the Oxford Canal. The entrance to the main section is about a 100m down the canal and the dock is straight ahead on the far side.

As we have to moor bow first in this marina, we first had to reverse out with the wind side on. Then we needed to turn to be at right angle to direction of the pontoon in order to go through the short cut. We were fortunate that another boater offered to Christine to swing the bridge open and back again for us. An immediate left turn, side on to the wind took us to the exit onto the canal, followed by a right turn into the south entrance!

The fuel dock was straight ahead but we needed to allow for the cross wind which can quickly take the boat sideways, especially at low speed. We lined up just up-wind of the mooring and allowed for the wind to move us sideways onto the wharf as we went into strong reverse to stop before we hit the bank!

All of this is much easier to follow if you look at Google Maps Aerial View. Blue is the route out and red the extra bit on the way back. (Hope Google allow us to include this image!)

Staff filled our tank and Christine went to the office to pay. At that point, with the wind ever strengthening, we had no option but to make our way back to our pontoon.

We are located almost immediately after the final cut and swing bridge (again someone kindly opened up for us) and we discovered when we arrived here that there is not enough room to turn immediately left. Instead it is better to continue down into the centre of the basin and turn, coming back head into the wind. This basin is a lot narrower but we made the turn - just - without being blown either into the far end or colliding with the boats moored either side.

The final turn onto the pontoon - at this time of year almost all berths are occupied so there was just a single boat space to head into. The manoeuvre entails going a bit up wind of the space at a narrow angle to the pontoon and waiting until the wind lines the boat up - then it is full steam to get the bow of the boat 'trapped' in the gap. At least our pontoon is down wind which means that the pontoon keeps us in place whilst we tied up. Phew!

After lunch we went to visit Cropredy Church - Mike to look at surveying the gravestones and Christine to look around inside. It was soon time, with light fading fast, to return to the boat and a piece of fruit cake.

Chores and Shopping and Charging

This morning Mike set about a number of routine chores some of which take a little longer when in the marina than out cruising. Most of the facilities are a bit of a walk from the boat (but not as far as for some of the mooring pontoons). 

On Saturday morning before we left for the station, the current gas bottle gave out. In the short term that is not an issue as we have two bottles and, as long as an empty one is replaced as soon as possible, all that has to be done is turn off one and turn on the other. We only get through between two and three bottles a year (just as well as they are now over £50 a go) so there is plenty of time to find a refill. However, if not done straightaway it is easy to forget until it is too late! So that was one of today's tasks - as they are too heavy for us to carry far the first ting is to collect a trolley from behind the office.

We were also very low on water but at least there is a tap beside every pontoon. Rubbish disposal was needed but that could be loaded onto the trolley along with the empty gas bottle. The gas bottle store is beyond the bin store and next to the fuel dock.

We do also need to fill up the diesel tank but we opted tp leave that to another day (this might turn out to be a bad decision as we now see that the wind is likely to increase for the next few days until we return home)

Rubbish disposed and a full bottle on the trolley it was back to the boat and the task of lifting the bottle into the gas locker. Mike managed without too much huffing and puffing - but for how much longer before we will need help to do this? Logs we brought from home were properly stowed (althiugh the number left is declining fast in this cold snap)

It was just on 11 by the time everything was stowed back away - a cup of coffee was needed!

The morning started very cold but sunny, gradually the edge off the cold air meant that outdoors was at least tolerable if not yet quite 'pleasant'. Still, there was time for Mike to take a short trip to the nearby parish council cemetery. Mike occasionally spends time transcribing and photographing gravestones and then uploading to an international website Find A Grave. During the time at home he had discovered that this one had not yet been listed - most at least have a placeholder. Mike had made a start on Friday but it was then too cold to do much of it - today much better on the hands and so he was able to finish taking the photos in just over an hour. (The grass was quite long and very wet so he ended up with wet feet and soggy trouser leg bottoms!)

After lunch we went into town to Morrisons - we needed a few food items but the main reason was to charge up the car which was, by now, down to 37%. At least this time both charge points were available. When we returned to the car after about half an hour, it was back to 85% - the estimate to 100% was another 25 minutes so we did not bother. (Actually many folk recommend not aiming for much more than 85%, especially on public chargers. OK on overnight at home)

Meanwhile, Christine took the opportunity to clean the boat floor. One of the current downsides with this marina (one shared with many others!) is that the entrance drive and the car parks are really in need of some tlc - the staff tried a minor repair to the worst potholes a couple of months back but failed to compact them properly so they are now even worse. But also, the surface is generally very muddy after the recent trains and it is impossible to avoid getting some on the boat and on our shoes.

Back to the boat and that was it for today - time for tea and a small piece of tasty fruit cake that we were given on Sunday morning.

A Relaxing Sunday

We went first to the 10 am service at Great Bourton church - it was a combined one for all of the churches  in the benefice. As so often is the case, most of the congregations from the others seemed to treat this as a 'week off' - or were all away visiting relatives! 

There were about 14, including ourselves, and we were made very welcome when we arrived. The service was conducted by Bishop Jonathan Meyrick, who is now retired and lives nearby. He gave an excellent sermon and the local organist also good. Coffee and cakes were on offer afterwards and we had a number of interesting conversations. Indeed, we could hardly get away - it was around noon when we were back on the boat.

The blog for the rest of the day will be quite short - dinner was a roast based on using some of the turkey and trimmings from Christmas Day!