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VAL Digest V1 #229



VAL Digest           Monday, April 26 2004           Volume 01 : Number 229




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Topics in Today's Digest:

[VAL] Re: Soft Copper Wire
[VAL] Battery Questions
Re: [VAL] Battery Questions
Re: [VAL] Battery Questions
Re: [VAL] Battery Questions
[VAL] answer to questions from my introduction debut
[VAL] Re: "The Slabs"

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Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:34:32 -0400
From: "Patricia V. Raimondo" <praimond@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: [VAL] Re: Soft Copper Wire

Thanks Terry! Now I know why the previous owner of my 54 Flying Cloud 
had a roll of the copper wire in the trailer! (along with pieces of 
screening, rope, jar of nuts, screws and nails, etc.) I will put it 
back in!

Patti

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Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 18:17:26 -0400
From: Dave Lowrey <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Battery Questions

One of the two Marine/RV batteries in my trailer has died. I bought both of 
them about three years ago. They are "Energizer" brand. Size is group 24.

I have several questions:

o - Someone told me I should replace both, because if I was boondocking the 
"better" new battery would discharge trying to charge the older battery. 
True of False?

o - I plan to add Solar sometime soon. I will most likely add two of the 
"non-venting" (Glass Mat?) batteries to the two I already have. Is it OK to 
mix Lead/Acid and Glass Mat, or do I have to go to all Glass Mat?

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated....

Dave

_________________________________________________________________
Dave & Ann Lowrey - dave_lowrey@xxxxxxxxxx.com

WBCCI: 5074

1977 31' Sovereign International (center bath)
Cincinnati, Ohio 

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Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 16:01:00 -0700
From: "Roger Hightower" <rwhigh@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Questions

Never mix battery types, or ages if you want the best performance.

AGM (Glass Mat) batteries don't like to be paired up with lead-acid
batteries, and for what they cost you're better off getting two.  Mine have
been going for four years now, recharging off solar panels, without any
problems.

Roger

Roger Hightower, WBCCI #4165, VAC
1975 31' Sovereign
2002 Ford F-250 PSD

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Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 18:03:39 -0500
From: Jim Clark <jec1938@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Questions

Dave..
I have flopped back and forth between buying the best I can find and buying 
whatever Sam's or Walmart has on sale... I agree that the batteries should 
be both replaced and you can expect 3 more trouble free years providing you 
keep the water levels up and don't let the battery freeze over a winter...
I think the next set I purchase will be the battery that looks like a six 
pack and a sealed marine if I can find it... I have 4 Optima batteries in 
the back of the truck and they are going on 6 years or so ... They don't 
get a lot of cycles and that might be a factor....

Good luck...

Jim


At 05:17 PM 4/25/2004, you wrote:
>One of the two Marine/RV batteries in my trailer has died. I bought both 
>of them about three years ago. They are "Energizer" brand. Size is group 24.
>
>I have several questions:
>
>o - Someone told me I should replace both, because if I was boondocking 
>the "better" new battery would discharge trying to charge the older 
>battery. True of False?
>
>o - I plan to add Solar sometime soon. I will most likely add two of the 
>"non-venting" (Glass Mat?) batteries to the two I already have. Is it OK 
>to mix Lead/Acid and Glass Mat, or do I have to go to all Glass Mat?
>
>Any and all suggestions would be appreciated....
>
>Dave
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Dave & Ann Lowrey - dave_lowrey@xxxxxxxxxx.com
>
>WBCCI: 5074
>
>1977 31' Sovereign International (center bath)
>Cincinnati, Ohio
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>When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
>To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
>http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

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Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 20:40:55 -0400
From: "Tom" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Questions

Hi Dave,

Recently I replaced the 2 house batteries in our Airstream with the blue
Optima batteries.  The Optima batteries do not use water, you never have to
fill them and you can mount them in any position as well.  These are what
you'd call the glass mat type that others have written about.

The blue Optima batteries also have 2 separate threaded posts on top of the
battery which can be used as a 12vdc tap; you supply the washer/nut.

These Optimas that I bought have a 3-year no questions replacement
warranty - in short, if they go bad inside of 3 years they will replace them
for free, no questions.

I purchased the 2 Optima batteries at Advance Auto Parts - I also asked for
their best price and they reduced the price immediately by 10%.

Tom
WBCCI 5303


From: "Dave Lowrey" <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Battery Questions


| One of the two Marine/RV batteries in my trailer has died. I bought both
of
| them about three years ago. They are "Energizer" brand. Size is group 24.
|
| I have several questions:
|
| o - Someone told me I should replace both, because if I was boondocking
the
| "better" new battery would discharge trying to charge the older battery.
| True of False?
|
| o - I plan to add Solar sometime soon. I will most likely add two of the
| "non-venting" (Glass Mat?) batteries to the two I already have. Is it OK
to
| mix Lead/Acid and Glass Mat, or do I have to go to all Glass Mat?
|
| Any and all suggestions would be appreciated....
|
| Dave

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Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 23:47:11 -0500
From: "Cathy Townley-McGaughey" <cathytownley@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] answer to questions from my introduction debut

Well, all, back from vacation and glad to be back home where all the work
lurks.

Thank you for the warm welcome.  Looking on the plaque of my airstream and
doing some research on decoding it, I have determined that we have a 1964, not
'62 as I stated.  Sorry.  Also, its full name is an Overlander International
Land Yacht.

I have posted the before pictures of our baby at
http://www.momanson.com/airstream  and will update as we go along.

We are trying to decide whether to start on the exterior polishing and fixing
or on the interior first.  I think we want to refurbish not restore the
interior, as there is so much of the original missing.  Does anyone know of a
manf. or supplier that makes new RV appliances and furniture with the retro
look?

We also need some advice on whether we should replace the 'sucide' split rimed
wheels.   Where should be take it to have that done and will we have to
replace whole axles, too?
CAT

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Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 01:19:55 -0400
From: Timbell524@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: "The Slabs"

Does anyone know the location of "the slabs" campground in S. CA? I think it is near the Salton Sea.  

Thanks,

Tim Bell WBCCI#4999

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End of VAL Digest V1 #229
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