Dutch Barge Update #4 - Victron Earthing & Webasto Test

[@chrissaphier]

What a fantastic guy you are. I’m an alarm engineer also have addition 18 I’m doing quite a bit on my narrowboat, which I have had a year. Just doing Victron solar, the raspberry pi way. O you have made me fuse and earth mad. The amount of circuits on this 18 year old boat without fuses from battery. Or inverter and the small solar panel on now, would make you smirk. I love messing with the electrics. I would love more education videos you suggested. One day may have the pleasure of shaking your hand. Thanks mate. Chris from Liverpool

[@narrowboatelectrician]

Hey Chris, what a lovely comment for me to receive! Unfused circuits seem to be the norm on most boats I see.....its only 12v??? I'm on vacation at the moment (Fran and Marts Travels) Be back at it when I restart in March. I'll catch you then Chris, glad you like the channel.

[@stevehunt2115]

Another great video, thank you. After watching all your videos, I recently took on the challenge to re-wire my 34 foot broads cruiser with Victron goodies 👍. I did have problems complying the Earthing requirements on the Victron Energy MultiPlus 12/1600/70-16 Inverter charger though, as the earth screw on it wasn't large enough to take a 50mm cable! Would love to see more educational videos on the requirements ..... whether thats ISO or BSS stuff. Cheers

[@narrowboatelectrician]

Thanks Steve, Well done you. Yeah I get that earthing some of the Victron devices is not easy. I have had some lengthy discussions on that subject. I will get to some of those videos and put some thought into the best way of delivering them. Thank you.

[@trevortrevortsr2]

Had you thought of using 6 supercapacitors to cope with the surge of the Webasto - I use them when using my 12v spot welder others use them to cope with the huge draw of megs base sound systems - they should cope well with a glow plug surge

[@narrowboatelectrician]

No I hadn't. to be honest I go the tried and tested method, I cannot afford to experiment on customer boats. The Orion handled the glow plug easily so that now should be ok. Or I'll upgrade to the 30A if need be.

[@chrissaphier]

I’ve learnt so much from you. But please sort that visonic alarm beeping in background. But fantastic challenge you have there. Good canal

[@narrowboatelectrician]

That's super great to know! But that alarm is out of my hands, bugs me too to be honest. Great to have you commenting. Let me know if there are some topics you'd like me to cover.

[@reinhardfredebold9169]

Hello from Germany again. I love to see that you thought about our discussion and you found a way get it to a good end. Best wishes from Reinhard from Germany

[@narrowboatelectrician]

Hi Reinhard, I certainly have thought about that. This new complete installation allows that thought process to occur with the time available. All inverter installs going forward will be earthed this way. I always like constructive discussion. Thank you.

[@CountBOBOinDAhouse]

Amazing video! Hope the project is still doing along? I had a question also, you’ve bonded the inverter to the hull in the event of a DC short to the case, do you also need to have a DC Neutral from your battery bank drilled into the chassis on a separate stud so you’ve linked your AC and DC bonding systems together? Only ask as I’m in the middle of something similar at moment on my barge. Thanks, Joe.

[@narrowboatelectrician]

Hi Joe. I take the AC earth and DC bond to separate points on the hull. Just so they are identified as two different protective conductors. But in essence they are both connected together.

[@CountBOBOinDAhouse]

@@narrowboatelectrician and the 70mm cable you used to ground the inverter was Oceanflex? Is it ok to use what is primarily ‘low voltage’ cable in the AC bonding system? Love your work, always learning. Cheers.

[@thattoolguy9432]

Interesting.. im an industrial spark and just curious, all your elv is that tri rated singles inside flexicon?.. good to see how other sparks work.. great video

[@narrowboatelectrician]

Great you find it interesting. No, not tri rated, we used stranded automotive cable.

[@graywake2226]

All tips welcome

[@narrowboatelectrician]

I best get too that then!

[@Dirt-Diggler]

I wouldn't mind a vid on the ISO regs 👍

[@narrowboatelectrician]

I'll get looking at that after my winter break. Thank you for commenting.

[@daviddawber7607]

hi can i upgrade my lead acid batteries to gel without changing my charging set up which is a standard alternator? and a victron charger and inveertor

[@narrowboatelectrician]

You would get away with it generally as the charging profiles a very similar. Although its not good practice as gel batteries are a little more delicate than AGM. Best change charge profile to suit new batteries. Consider membership for future tch questions as I couldn't sit answering this type of question all the time. I appreciate you reaching out.

[@cskeise]

💙👊😎

[@narrowboatelectrician]

Thank you for the emoji comment.