Tag: Midland Chandlers

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Solar Controller – Victron SmartSolar MTTP 100|50

Having used the Victron MPPT sizing calculator with the correct configuration for my 2 X 415W solar panels it recommended I use their SmartSolar MPPT 100/50, if you follow the link above you should see the calculation.

Victron SmartSolar 100|50
Victron SmartSolar 100|50

So I was now on the hunt for the best price I could find; I tried all the normal boating solar companies, but the prices are all very similar when I found on eBay for just £220.00

Midsummer Energy£357.00*
Dragons Breath Solar£285.61*
Midland Chandlers£339.16*
Sunshine Solar£300.85*
Nomadic Conversions (eBay Shop)£220.00*
*Prices Include VAT and where checked at the time of writing 07/06/2023

So the order was placed. Things got a little odd when I got a message from DPD, and it seemed they had been booked for delivery, but had not got the package, even after a few days this status did not change. I messaged the supplier via eBay with no response, but then an email from Royal Mail with shipping details arrived and a few days later it was here.

I must admit I was starting to get a little worried that it was too cheap to be true, but I have it, it is new and sealed in the box ready to be fitted in a few weeks. Now I need to find a similar bargain for the Solar Panels!

NOTE: In the package came a leaflet from Nomadic Leisure, the company that run the Nomadic Conversions eBay shop their main market seems to be Campervans and surprisingly on their online shop the SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 is £302.40

So it seems it is a good idea to shop around and try alternative sources like eBay. You may, like me, get a bargain.

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2023 Our First Crick Boat Show

Show Crick Boat 2023Last time our plans got all messed up by Covid, now we have finally made it to the Crick Boat Show and WOW, what a well organised event. We arrived early, about ½ an hour before opening, we expected it to be very busy, lots of people had already arrived, many staying over in tents and caravans. Parking was very well organised, and we soon found ourselves queuing in a long queue for tickets, it was already getting hot, but the queues moved very quickly and just five minutes after opening we were in with our yellow wrist bands attached.

Very fast moving queues at Crick Boat Show 2023

We had no plan of what we wanted to see, I was still looking for a bit to use in our solar setup, but otherwise we just wandered about.

While we are very happy at Droitwich Spa Marina and would recommend it to anyone, we are starting to plan moving on so that we can explore some other parts of the network. We found a few smaller/Independent marina’s that we will be going to visit in the next few months including:-

Some Marina marketing seems to often lack even the most basic information, if you are putting together a website or flyer, make sure you have done the basics, like tell us which Canal you are on, I am sure you know, but I don’t. This was the first question we asked them all?

We also visited our paint supplier, Symphony Narrowboat Paints, as we had some problems identifying the correct yellow that was used on our roof. They have at least 5 possible candidates, but I am almost sure it was Cream after looking at samples on their stand.

What else did we buy…

We liked the Midland Chandlers tent, purchased some Oxford Mint Narrowboat Wash and a Cannon Tools Water Flow Brush that fits to our hose, that will be used tomorrow.

We also found a special tool for clearing weed from the propeller called a Prop-Mate from Brass Mate who also make Brolly Mate which we may order once we know which size we need.

From LifeAfloatMyNarrowboat we finally purchased our first bit of canal decorated Canal ware, a metal teapot and two tin mugs

Canal ware from LifeAfloatMyNarrowboat

Unfortunately we don’t have a link we can post for this small business, but I will update this if we find one.

Sonia found some Kingfisher earrings on one of the stalls and a rainbow hat on another that we added to our haul

Just before we left, we came across Youtubers who’s channel Minimalist we follow selling their excellent Maps, Mugs, Earrings and Jigsaws, I am sure I bored Michael talking about programming and Node-Red

Well we really enjoyed our visit to the show, I am sure we will attend again.

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New Macerator Pump Fitted

A couple of weeks ago we visit the Marina fit more new curtains and measure the roof to find the best options for solar panels. Unfortunately we found the toilet was not working as expected, it would flush, but after flushing there would be more water in the bowl that expected, and after a second flush it would increase again.

We tried cleaning the toilet and using a plunger to push the water into the tank, but we could not resolve the problem and so had decided put it off to another visit, when I would have more time and tools.

On the way home I decided to texted Steve Cowham, who had come to our rescue fitting the water pump in the summer, I have poorly thumbs and am trying to save myself from further operations, luckily Steve was able to take a look and soon called me back.

Tecma 12V Silence / Elegance Macerator PumpHis suggestion was that the Macerator Pump had probably worn out, having been an X-Black Prince hire boat for 12 years, it would have been well used. He was happy to fit one for us and recommend we order one from Midland Chandlers the part we needed was a “Tecma 12V Silence / Elegance Macerator Pump” part number TG-224.

This was ordered and shipped directly to Steve via the marina, at £249.50 they are not cheap, but they need to work.

A few days later it is all fitted and working, we will be back to the boat soon and I am sure we will be testing it.

Steve, don’t forget to send us the bill, thanks 🙂

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