Thursday 26 June 2014

Fully solared

Well we've done it. Solar panels. We went to Crick Show and came away with two panels of 175 watts each. We then took Bella to Braunston to have the panels secured to the roof.  Next, Pete did the interior wiring, getting two chuncky wires the whole inside length of Bella, underneath all the ceiling panels. This was needed as (of course) the panels are at one end and all the electricity connections the other.

Today, we pulled out of our mooring to Norton Junction where we nestled in next to Petra, a CRT dredger. Our fabulous electrician came to meet us to make the final connections at each end. Goodness. Within a few minutes of the final connection, our batteries were charged up to 100%. This will be amazing.

In the past when out of our home mooring, the engine had to run 2-3 hours a day to keep the batteries on charge. Therefore £2-£3 a day and diesel 'wasted'. Not any more! Wow.

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Back Again

Elizabeth is away for a few days so Bella is back at Welton Hythe. Pete has been busy photographing a moth

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Out again!

We left Weltonhythe around lunchtime, after Elizabeth's happy conversation that she can do gardening at the Marina whenever there. Excellent timing for the agreement! 

We're in Braunston again and very excitingly, for our solar panels. We brought two back from the Crick Show, having organised Stellar Electrician Simon to fit them. Roy will secure them to the roof tomorrow, Pete has already chased the wires halfway through the interior and Simon connects it all before the weekend. From then, we should never have to run the engine each day we're out in order to charge the batteries.  A whole new world!

Monday 2 June 2014

Rumours Abound

Today we may set out for 5 months. We may go north to Crick or south to Braunston, Weedon or Norton Junction. Even after a lovely breakfast the decision has yet to be made.