Three winters is quite an achivement. There's still lots to do and no danger of running out of material, I'm sure. Your videos have been a pleasant, low key. and interesting way to mark time as I recover from surgeries I've had in the same span of time. Your stern cover reminds me that when I'm able, I will have to tackle re-covering our narrowboat-sized patio greenhouse. Many of the same challenges and issues--and now the rains have come here on the other side of the planet....
With the coal cage the best method I found was coal in first leave the top squares free of coal few bits of kindling on top with a fire lighter job done, then just top up with coal as required
Hi James. I’m just finishing the 80’s series of your vlog. I’m finding them interesting and helpful. I haven’t bought my boat yet but your vid’s are helping me with inspirations and decisions, for which I’m truly grateful. Watched the one at foxton locks earlier. Have decided to drive up from Bristol with mum and have a good look around and lunch. Keep keeping us informed.
Hi James caught this video today hope your well just thought I might say that instead of buying a coal cage I use a stainless steely cutlery cage that you put wet cutlery in when washing up only about £3 from your local supermarket you just punch the bottom out of it and away you go also you can get many different sizes to suit your needs works spot on
Hi James, With the fridge running all the time, This might be down to voltage drop, can't remember where your batteries are in relation to your fridge. I do agree that running the fridge from the Ecoflow is the way to go, if only you had a means of charging it. Old street tube looking very empty. Got called to old street tube on an emergency order, some one had got hurt on the hand dryer, It turned out the person was doing stuff with his privates with the hand dryer. I'll leave the rest to your imagination. love the way you dealt with the trim, clever solution .
Greetings from Tehachapi CA, I truly appreciate your Vlogs. Keep them coming, I watch daily. Been viewing for a while but just recently found a way to comment on Vlogs. ECOFLOW is Brilliant. The first portable unit I've heard of was Jackery. Don't discount your sewing abilities. You've been inspirational these past two years (Pandemic) 😷😕😉🤗😇 Best Regards, TTFN, Cheers
That trim looks so nice! I live in the middle of North America in North Dakota. Our winters are brutal. You can tape plastic over windows to effectively double pane them. I sure love how everything is coming together. It looks to be a much cozier more comfortable winter. Is your power pack sold in the US? We are just starting our search for one.
James i must say i'we been following your vlogs from the very beginning. Great honest films. Almost starting to feel knowing you. Keep on the great work
Your creative improvements continue to impress me and make Sloe P more and more comfy. My question is ever so much simpler: at the beginning when you were standing on the tube platform, where did you place the camera to film that? Leigh
Nice work on that piece of trim, James. It really makes a big difference to the finish. Sorry about that comment, mate, but someone had to say it. 😁 The power options are pretty wide ranging. More panels, plus more batteries, bigger or second alternator, more batteries, reduced consumption, more batteries... You get the idea. She's come a long way since I last saw her. All the best.
I love the way you are always thinking of what you can do to improve the boat, as well as the fact that you are humble enough to admit that something’s have been a disaster. I really like the trim in the bow bed room.. I thought it looked good from the various angles. Hopefully EcoFlow can help you out. When you were talking about the pram covers, it struck me that the pram covers that I have seen on other Narrowboats do run side to side, but I think they are aluminum or something 🤷♀️. Congratulations on your three years. I have enjoyed it all. Take care and have a good week. 😊🤗 Kathy
If the hanging of the backrest with buttons doesn’t work maybe you could use the hanging of kitchen cupboards method, you know with two planks cut lengthwise on a angle that can hook in each other. One is attached to the wall, the other glued to the cushion. You have to make een indentation in the foam to make it flush against the wall Where i said wall I mean bulkhead and yes kitchen is galley, we are all learning😜. If you make the pramcover a little higher would that solf the deck entrance difficulty. And the narrow flap above the cabin maybe you can make it transparant, more light and view. Excellent video on energy saving 👍
Your tarting the boat up which looks good but don’t you think it’s about time you sorted the hot water out as you’ve just pointed out it’s been three years on the boat and you’ve still got no hot water.
Rather impressed with the end, how you handle the arch. I was thinking you should just go straight across the top and match the curve on the bottom, but adding the off cut to the top is brilliant! I’m watching you Ecoflow closely: If it can charge/discharge simultaneously, and has a natural sign wave, it might kill some stage hum. I’ve played some dodgy places where the power was crap and/or went out, blown up amps, this might be a solution.
Well I don’t. BUT, today, after taking the wife out for breakfast, we rolled past one of my local guitar shops, to see if they had any available. They had one, I played it, but it didn’t have any batteries; Yamaha in its’ infinite wisdom built this things to use 2 AA batteries, unlike the usual 9V everyone else tend to use (the young part time teenager who climbed the ladder to fetch the guitar for me didn’t know if they had any AAs available - ah youth!). That said, I did play it and it is a good guitar. These are based on the standard Yamaha FS series built in China. They sound a little thin and not very resonant - I believe its the combination of wood and strings used. I did like the neck, much like an old Alvarez I have and it had a great out-of-the-box action. The folks in the shop said that the Transsonics were very cool and people like them for outdoor and small get togethers and can I see that. Didn’t get any numbers how many sold. The big thing last year has been the Fender Acoustisonics, but that is a very different kettle of fish - targeted mostly at band front persons, who need a little of both a Telly and an Acoustic. As for me, I’m a Taylor fan and my Gretsch Resonator. I am looking a several new Gibson acoustics, but more on that later. However, I use acoustics mostly at home and for recording as I use mostly (many) electrics when playing out. I plan to go back and try the Yamaha again (this time I’ll be sure and bring batteries) and let you know. Hope this helps, take care!
Hi James.. your boat is looking very cosy, I had a Coalbrookdale stove with backboiler, with 2 little radiators, gravity feed.. kept the narrowboat really warm. .worth thinking about for anyone building or renovating, saves money on other heating systems.. Take care
Love what u are doing to your narrowboat James but I'd keep that ecoflow just for your fridge and kitchen and get a bigger one for your other things and leave yore battery bank for moving your nb and general use but it's awesome that ecofliw is going to hook u up can't wait to see what goodies u get good luck m8 and stay safe and warm this winter I think it's going to be a costly one for us us
The problem is always the fridge in winter If you use a car regularly, using a power bank for the fridge and then charging the power bank from the car 12v socket works well.
With the fridge, maybe your cabling to the distribution board behind the fridge is small enough to effect the supply. Putting the fridge on the Ecoflow with a much shorter cable run is allowing the fridge to cool quicker and hence not run so long... 🤔
James, get a better quality power inverter for your solar setup and you will not have to do the silly dance with two energy sources. Electrical appliances like refrigerators are very sensitive to the quality of the power input. Clearly your current power inverter does not produce good quality AC, meaning a pure sine wave, and that makes your fridge work harder, draw more power, and ultimately it will reduce its lifespan. The best thing to do is get a good quality pure sine wave power inverter and make sure it has more than enough power capacity. These things can only run at maximum capacity for a few seconds.
Such a cosy little boat now. Completely different from when I was aboard. Good stuff sir James.
The Coal Cage is such a good idea! Makes me wonder why every stove doesn't have one!
I was talking about you last week at North Kilworth.
What a great friendly groups of boaters they are.
Three winters is quite an achivement. There's still lots to do and no danger of running out of material, I'm sure. Your videos have been a pleasant, low key. and interesting way to mark time as I recover from surgeries I've had in the same span of time. Your stern cover reminds me that when I'm able, I will have to tackle re-covering our narrowboat-sized patio greenhouse. Many of the same challenges and issues--and now the rains have come here on the other side of the planet....
With the coal cage the best method I found was coal in first leave the top squares free of coal few bits of kindling on top with a fire lighter job done, then just top up with coal as required
Hi James. I’m just finishing the 80’s series of your vlog. I’m finding them interesting and helpful. I haven’t bought my boat yet but your vid’s are helping me with inspirations and decisions, for which I’m truly grateful. Watched the one at foxton locks earlier. Have decided to drive up from Bristol with mum and have a good look around and lunch. Keep keeping us informed.
An extended rain hood for the pram cover might get in the way of the vent for water heater!
What water heater?
I have used a coal cage for a few years now and am impressed with it. Very good at keeping a fire in for extended period without massive banking up.
Hi James caught this video today hope your well just thought I might say that instead of buying a coal cage I use a stainless steely cutlery cage that you put wet cutlery in when washing up only about £3 from your local supermarket you just punch the bottom out of it and away you go also you can get many different sizes to suit your needs works spot on
Hi James,
With the fridge running all the time, This might be down to voltage drop, can't remember where your batteries are in relation to your fridge. I do agree that running the fridge from the Ecoflow is the way to go, if only you had a means of charging it. Old street tube looking very empty. Got called to old street tube on an emergency order, some one had got hurt on the hand dryer, It turned out the person was doing stuff with his privates with the hand dryer. I'll leave the rest to your imagination. love the way you dealt with the trim, clever solution .
Hot water for winter ?
Well done mate 👍
That works James , looks good
Excellent job on the trim 👍👍👍
That's really informative James. Shows how you have to be prepared for the winter when living off grid. Hope you keep warm, safe, and well.
Greetings from Tehachapi CA, I truly appreciate your Vlogs.
Keep them coming, I watch daily.
Been viewing for a while but just recently found a way to comment on Vlogs.
ECOFLOW is Brilliant. The first portable unit I've heard of was Jackery. Don't discount your sewing abilities.
You've been inspirational these past two years (Pandemic)
😷😕😉🤗😇
Best Regards, TTFN, Cheers
It's been lovely seeing you turn that boat into an actual home. There's narrowboats, & there's narrowboat homes.
That trim looks so nice! I live in the middle of North America in North Dakota. Our winters are brutal. You can tape plastic over windows to effectively double pane them. I sure love how everything is coming together. It looks to be a much cozier more comfortable winter. Is your power pack sold in the US? We are just starting our search for one.
James let us know how you get on with the coal cage please. I interested in getting onee if they work.
James i must say i'we been following your vlogs from the very beginning. Great honest films. Almost starting to feel knowing you. Keep on the great work
Your creative improvements continue to impress me and make Sloe P more and more comfy. My question is ever so much simpler: at the beginning when you were standing on the tube platform, where did you place the camera to film that? Leigh
You could "steam" a piece of wood for a curved fit. While hot and damp the wood is bendy.
Nice work on that piece of trim, James. It really makes a big difference to the finish.
Sorry about that comment, mate, but someone had to say it. 😁
The power options are pretty wide ranging. More panels, plus more batteries, bigger or second alternator, more batteries, reduced consumption, more batteries... You get the idea.
She's come a long way since I last saw her.
All the best.
good see you putting vids out thanks lee
Happy days indeed. I have been watching since around number 49. A cozy place you have there.
Thanks for your winter saving tips James. 😁
I love the way you are always thinking of what you can do to improve the boat, as well as the fact that you are humble enough to admit that something’s have been a disaster. I really like the trim in the bow bed room.. I thought it looked good from the various angles. Hopefully EcoFlow can help you out. When you were talking about the pram covers, it struck me that the pram covers that I have seen on other Narrowboats do run side to side, but I think they are aluminum or something 🤷♀️. Congratulations on your three years. I have enjoyed it all. Take care and have a good week.
😊🤗 Kathy
Hi James it’s all looking good. The weather is atrocious here to. The edging in bedroom looks really good. Have great week 😊
Have a nice weekend!
If the hanging of the backrest with buttons doesn’t work maybe you could use the hanging of kitchen cupboards method, you know with two planks cut lengthwise on a angle that can hook in each other.
One is attached to the wall, the other glued to the cushion.
You have to make een indentation in the foam to make it flush against the wall
Where i said wall I mean bulkhead and yes kitchen is galley, we are all learning😜.
If you make the pramcover a little higher would that solf the deck entrance difficulty.
And the narrow flap above the cabin maybe you can make it transparant, more light and view.
Excellent video on energy saving 👍
… and you are saving gas by not finishing off the water heater install 😊
Gordon Bennett James. where has the time done. Really enjoy seeing you dress the interior, looking good.. Take care
Your tarting the boat up which looks good but don’t you think it’s about time you sorted the hot water out as you’ve just pointed out it’s been three years on the boat and you’ve still got no hot water.
Have you considered getting a wind generator?
Rather impressed with the end, how you handle the arch. I was thinking you should just go straight across the top and match the curve on the bottom, but adding the off cut to the top is brilliant! I’m watching you Ecoflow closely: If it can charge/discharge simultaneously, and has a natural sign wave, it might kill some stage hum. I’ve played some dodgy places where the power was crap and/or went out, blown up amps, this might be a solution.
Hey Billy - do you have any experience of Yamaha Transcoustics? Look and sound awesome with great reviews on TH-cam. I’m very tempted! Waddya think?
Well I don’t. BUT, today, after taking the wife out for breakfast, we rolled past one of my local guitar shops, to see if they had any available. They had one, I played it, but it didn’t have any batteries; Yamaha in its’ infinite wisdom built this things to use 2 AA batteries, unlike the usual 9V everyone else tend to use (the young part time teenager who climbed the ladder to fetch the guitar for me didn’t know if they had any AAs available - ah youth!). That said, I did play it and it is a good guitar. These are based on the standard Yamaha FS series built in China. They sound a little thin and not very resonant - I believe its the combination of wood and strings used. I did like the neck, much like an old Alvarez I have and it had a great out-of-the-box action. The folks in the shop said that the Transsonics were very cool and people like them for outdoor and small get togethers and can I see that. Didn’t get any numbers how many sold.
The big thing last year has been the Fender Acoustisonics, but that is a very different kettle of fish - targeted mostly at band front persons, who need a little of both a Telly and an Acoustic. As for me, I’m a Taylor fan and my Gretsch Resonator. I am looking a several new Gibson acoustics, but more on that later. However, I use acoustics mostly at home and for recording as I use mostly (many) electrics when playing out. I plan to go back and try the Yamaha again (this time I’ll be sure and bring batteries) and let you know. Hope this helps, take care!
Hi James.. your boat is looking very cosy, I had a Coalbrookdale stove with backboiler, with 2 little radiators, gravity feed.. kept the narrowboat really warm. .worth thinking about for anyone building or renovating, saves money on other heating systems.. Take care
Love what u are doing to your narrowboat James but I'd keep that ecoflow just for your fridge and kitchen and get a bigger one for your other things and leave yore battery bank for moving your nb and general use but it's awesome that ecofliw is going to hook u up can't wait to see what goodies u get good luck m8 and stay safe and warm this winter I think it's going to be a costly one for us us
Is it possible your eco flow thing has a different voltage output owing to a different battery chemistry?
The problem is always the fridge in winter If you use a car regularly, using a power bank for the fridge and then charging the power bank from the car 12v socket works well.
wow
With the fridge, maybe your cabling to the distribution board behind the fridge is small enough to effect the supply. Putting the fridge on the Ecoflow with a much shorter cable run is allowing the fridge to cool quicker and hence not run so long... 🤔
I did have to laugh at this one, you made it sound like as the clocks have gone back there is less solar. It's nothing to to with the clocks......😎😎
James, get a better quality power inverter for your solar setup and you will not have to do the silly dance with two energy sources. Electrical appliances like refrigerators are very sensitive to the quality of the power input. Clearly your current power inverter does not produce good quality AC, meaning a pure sine wave, and that makes your fridge work harder, draw more power, and ultimately it will reduce its lifespan. The best thing to do is get a good quality pure sine wave power inverter and make sure it has more than enough power capacity. These things can only run at maximum capacity for a few seconds.
Surely it is (or can be) connected to the leisure battery 12v?