andym

OK, that says to me that: The batteries are capable of holding a charge (especially if they can turn the engine over on their own after being charged from the donor vehicle) The FV439 alternators are producing an output, but The FV439 isn't charging the batteries For a definitive test, if you've got a voltmeter to hand check the battery voltage when the engine is running and the donor vehicle is disconnected. It should read 28.5V +/- 0.5V with the engine at 2000rpm or above, if it doesn't then you've got a wiring or control box problem of some sort. Andy

I've found another EMER, E108, which includes the FV433, and the torsion bar heights are considerably different to the FV432. It says: No 1 station: 6 3/16" to 5 15/16" No 2 and 3 stations: 6 3/4" to 6 1/2" No 4 and 5 stations: 7 3/8" to 7 1/8" Hope that helps! Andy

There could be several reasons for that behaviour. I'd be inclined to put a voltmeter across the batteries to check the voltage before and after the engine starts to see just how flat the batteries are and whether or not there's any charging going on. Does the Gen warning light on the driver's switchboard go out when the engine is started, out of interest? Andy

Me too, please! Andy

I know what you mean, mine is dotted with odd brackets and studs and the remains of yet more previous ones. Some brackets have spring clips so were presumably designed to hold tools of some description, for example I think there's supposed to be a "prodder" to release the mortar hatch latches which should be clipped to the rear end of the roof. Brackets on the left side above the exhaust pipe may be for the Penthouse tent kit. Andy

You won't see much movement if it's just topping up the batteries. The ammeter is scaled to show the total output of both alternators (200A) so a trickle charge will only just stir it off the end stop. Andy

I wonder if those Withams ones come with the Mersey key for what I assume is the Crypto cabinet (sixth pic)? :-) Andy

You're missing the outer latches and their brackets for the mortar hatch, for starters. That's the group of four studs on the hatch centreline each side. Sometimes they get taken off when roof bins are fitted, but I can't see any sign of the roof bin mountings. Andy

I'll get the rear floor plates up once the WD40 has had time to work on the remaining bolts. The cover for the fuel cock has gone AWOL and may well be underneath. In the meantime I've found a perfectly good 7/16" spanner lurking under the ventilation fan! Andy

Isn't there someone with only a PO Box address who gives out more detailed info? My record card from Bovington shows nothing between a career in BAOR and sale at Withams in 2005. But in that case why has it got SFOR markings? :shocked: Andy

At least five years - she was sold by Withams in 2005! Andy

Today's job with the FV432 was clearing out the foul black gungy mess in the void between the tillers and the front of the hull. Is there supposed to be a drain for this? I can't find one and there obviously hasn't been any draining going on for quite a while! I'd done about three-quarters of the job (baling out with a yoghurt pot) by the time I took these: I'd unearthed numerous nuts and bolts and a spanner before I found something else buried in the mire. I didn't quite recognise what it was until I'd completely extracted it - an SA80 magazine complete with blank rounds! I carefully removed it to the other end of the yard out of harm's way and covered it in water to prevent it drying out again. Trying to contact Devonport EOD was a complete farce - just answerphones everywhere. I've left a message so perhaps they'll call me back after the weekend .... :cry: Andy

Any idea who the previous owner was? Apart from all the broken torsion bars I'm bemused by the fact that one track seems to have new rubbers and the other side has none at all! Andy

Sorry Iain, I've only got the FV432 manual, but there must be other people on here with a set of Abbot manuals? I like the broomhandle idea - you should give it an NSN as a special tool! :cool2: Andy

All three of mine have covers, I just took one off for the picture. I thought the thread seemed over-engineered for a simple cover and assumed it also served as a mounting of some kind. Andy

We had a discussion with the examiner about this when I took my H test. Apparently the law says that when a learner is in charge of a vehicle then a person with a full licence must be in the front passenger seat. It doesn't say what happens when there isn't a front passenger seat so it's open to interpretation! Andy

The EMER for the FV432 (I don't have one for the FV433) E 103/2 shows an axle arm setting gauge FV559795/NSN 5120-99-866-9595 which is a piece of steel plate with three notches in it, one for each axle arm height: No. 1 and 2 stations: 6 3/4" No. 3 and 4 stations: 6 3/8" No. 5 station: 6" All +/- 1/8" The gauge sits in contact with the underside of the hull and a long rod (FV585705) is placed in the hole in the inside of the axle arm where the jacking mandrel goes. You set the torsion arm splines so the rod is in contact with the correct notch in the gauge. I'll see if I can dig you out a picture, but you'd probably be better off with someone who's got the proper FV433 manual? Andy

That will keep you busy for a while! It's FV432 week for me at the moment - the first vehicle I've owned that you can hose down inside as well as out! :laugh: Andy

I'd be surprised if it's anything to do with the processor as running a 3G dongle is hardly an onerous task. A silly question - does the dongle connect at the same speed on the desktop and netbook? It's possible that the desktop is positioned so that it can't get a decent 3G signal and defaults to GRPS, which is about the same speed as an old-fashioned dialup modem. Andy

Welcome, Ross! I'm in Portsmouth, but my FV432 lives in Devon .... Andy

Sounds fun, sort of! Perhaps another time the trick is to get them to deliver to Berlin? That way they might be more careful with the preparation .... Andy

They've got both US and UK offices, so perhaps if Daddy says No, you could always ask Mummy instead! :cool2: Andy

Kato are still in business, so try giving them a shout? http://www.kato-eng.com/Index.html Andy

Thanks both - I've found a Ferret Clansman thread where it's also referred to as an external connector. It just seems rather over-engineered for that, with the size of thread I'd have expected to see some sort of whip antenna screwed onto it! Andy

A quick newbie question on FV432 antenna bases. I recognise the usual large Racal mounting in the rear of the picture, but what's the one in the foreground with a BNC connector? Thanks in advance! Andy