A busy day ahead as Mary is leaving us by Train at about 2pm, but before we get started we now have a very low leisure battery bank and the voltage must be very low as the fridge has stopped working, it little internal LED is flashing away. Luckily in the freezer box we had some packs of Obi’s dog food acting as freezer blocks and helping keep things cool.
Looking at the alternator for the leisure batteries it’s possible that belt is also now loose, it does seem looser that yesterday, but I may be getting paranoid and unfortunately the tools we used yesterday just don’t want to fit well enough to get the bolts loose without damaging them or me.
Now a sudden inspiration strikes ‘Screwfix‘ I look on their web site and see they have a one hour service in this area with deliver just £5.00, all I need is a postcode to deliver to. Luckily the local business we are moored near is happy to help, so within an hour we have some smart new spanners and five minutes later the belt is a little tighter.
With the engine running we still no charging taking place, now I check the wiring, wish I had done this first, as the single yellow and black wire that connects to the alternator just comes away in my fingers. Probably all the vibration from the engine a couple of days ago and is has finally given up holding on to it’s spade terminal.
I need a bit of luck as unfortunately I have also left my crimp tool at home in the tool bag, but in my box of boat bits I find a spade terminal with approx the right gauge wire already attached and manage to strip back both ends and twist them tight enough that they will hopefully get us home once covered in some insulation tape.
With Mary safely on the train, by 3pm we are on our way out of Birmingham, the plan is to go as far as possible before it is to dark to chug along.
Finally at about 8pm we moor up just before the Shortwood tunnel entrance, under the cover of some trees, Antony and Ellie cook tea and it is off the bed.
Today we have travelled 12 miles in about 5 hours.
August 2023 – Part 1 – A little adventure, Droitwich to Birmingham
August 2023 – Part 2 – A really Tardebigge adventure
August 2023 – Part 3 – Birmingham Engine Lows and Highs
August 2023 – Part 4 – Lost dog and diner out at Ju Ju’s Cafe
August 2023 – Part 5 – Screwfix almost saves the day
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