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VAL Digest V1 #77



VAL Digest         Tuesday, November 25 2003         Volume 01 : Number 077




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Topics in Today's Digest:

[VAL] Vintage Advantage Subscriptions
[VAL] winter battery storage
Re: [VAL] winter battery storage
[VAL] More road worthiness questions
RE: [VAL] winter battery storage
RE: [VAL] More road worthiness questions
Re: [VAL] Vintage Advantage Subscriptions
Re: [VAL] More road worthiness questions
[VAL] Re:Gate valve and black water tank

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 13:13:34 -0500
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: [VAL] Vintage Advantage Subscriptions

I have heard from Wayne Moore, for now subscriptions to the Vintage
Advantage are open to all and it appears that it will remain that way. If
any of you out there want to get it and your subscription has lapsed please
mail in your renewal. A subscription form is available at
http://www.airstream.net/subscription.html 
Please note that a friend is not
considered a member, just someone who is interested in vintage Airstreams
and wants the newsletter.

Scott Scheuermann

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 15:55:37 -0500
From: joepatwink@xxxxxxxxxx.net (Joe Winkler)
Subject: [VAL] winter battery storage

A question for the group. Living in warm and delightful Wyoming causes me to wonder if I should 
remove my battery for the winter. It has already gotten down to 17 below here, I am sure that 
even colder weather is in our future. Will it do the trailer any harm if I plug it in to 120 when 
there is no battery?
  Joe

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 14:05:52 -0700
From: "Roger Hightower" <rwhigh@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] winter battery storage

Joe,

I don't think your converter (Univolt or InteliPower or ?) will like it very
much if it doesn't have a battery to work with.  Maybe Dr. Gerald can
expound on this.

Roger

Roger Hightower
WBCCI #4165,VAC
1975 31' Sovereign
Mesa, AZ

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 14:06:34 -0700
From: Ivan <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.org>
Subject: [VAL] More road worthiness questions

Hi again,

        Well I was able to drop the belly pan on our 55 and the wires all
look good.  I noticed on the tow vehicle that there is a connecter with 6
pins it it and I wondered exactly what they are.  Looks like running lights
account for one cable, break lights are two (left and right), the tandem
axle breaks seems to be two lines that connect to one, but I don't know how
to test that.  What would the other two lines be?

        Also I need to purchase both a good break controller and a breakaway
kit.  Any recommendations on models and places to purchase them?

Thanks,

- -Ivan

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 18:52:58 -0600
From: "Gerald Johnson" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.isunet.net>
Subject: RE: [VAL] winter battery storage

Cold is not damaging to a fully charged battery. At least not down to 40 or 50 below. A self 
discharged battery or a battery discharged by loads and not recharged will freeze at a much 
high temperature and freezing will do a great deal of damage, the extreme being splitting the 
case so the acid runs out into the battery holder.

The old Univolts would tend to over charge a battery, but the beauty of the Intelli--- is that 
it cares for the battery.

I don't know how either handles being without battery, though if they were a design of mine the 
wouldn't depend on their being a battery connected. For certain a battery acts to limit the 
maximum voltage applied to the 12 circuits, until the battery is boiled dry from overcharging.

Gerald J.

- ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: joepatwink@xxxxxxxxxx.net (Joe Winkler)
Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Date:  Mon, 24 Nov 2003 15:55:37 -0500

>A question for the group. Living in warm and delightful Wyoming causes me to wonder if I 
should remove my battery for the winter. It has already gotten down to 17 below here, I am sure 
that even colder weather is in our future. Will it do the trailer any harm if I plug it in to 120 
when there is no battery?
>  Joe
>
>__________________________________________________________________
>McAfee VirusScan Online from the Netscape Network.
>Comprehensive protection for your entire computer. Get your free trial today!
>http://channels.netscape.com/ns/computing/mcafee/index.jsp?promo=393397
>
>Get AOL Instant Messenger 5.1 free of charge.  Download Now!
>http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/Aim/register.adp?promo=380455
>
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>
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>http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 19:09:09 -0600
From: "Gerald Johnson" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.isunet.net>
Subject: RE: [VAL] More road worthiness questions

The most common modern tow vehicle connector has 6 flat pins and one round pin in the middle. 
Bargman 7 pin its called. At home I have its connections in a file I could send, but I'm not at 
home and won't be until next week. It can be found on the internet or is virtually always included 
in the box with a new connector. When the US automotive factories supply a factory heavy duty trailer 
connector it has the 7 pin bargman connector. If it was me working on your trailer, I'd go buy a new 
pigtail with connector, and connect the old circuits to the new pigtail which will have different 
colors than the old pigtail.

In the 7 pin connector, there is:
Charging line.
Ground.
Running lights.
Backup light.
Left Turn/stop.
Right Turn/stop.
Maybe the other is called auxiliary. I forget that detail. Dont have my reference materials. An 
internet search for Bargman 7 pin connector should turn up those details.

Brake controller choice opens a bag of worms. We all have our favorites. I'm liking mine, and 
its name escapes me. There is one made by Jordan that works on brake pedal pressure or motion 
rather than on brake light actuation and a pendulum. I've found that the pendulum controller 
over drives the brakes on my flatbed when empty. Its loaded now but I've not yet pulled it loaded 
to see how they work now. I figure on the brake controller doing gentle stops right, then if I 
want more trailer brakes, I have mine mounted where I can reach the control button without taking 
my hands off the steering wheel so I can add more braking when needed. I may need to add a series 
resistor for the brakes to limit their minimum current.

Your brakes could be 6 volts or 12 volts. If six they may need to be rewired in series to keep the 
current reasonable and the brake controller gain in reason.

Gerald J.

- ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Ivan <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.org>
Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Date:  Mon, 24 Nov 2003 14:06:34 -0700

>Hi again,
>
>        Well I was able to drop the belly pan on our 55 and the wires all
>look good.  I noticed on the tow vehicle that there is a connecter with 6
>pins it it and I wondered exactly what they are.  Looks like running lights
>account for one cable, break lights are two (left and right), the tandem
>axle breaks seems to be two lines that connect to one, but I don't know how
>to test that.  What would the other two lines be?
>
>        Also I need to purchase both a good break controller and a breakaway
>kit.  Any recommendations on models and places to purchase them?
>
>Thanks,
>
>-Ivan
>
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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: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 21:35:03 -0500
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Vintage Advantage Subscriptions

Amanda (and others on the VAList),

To determine if your subscription (or dues) are current find your last issue
of the Vintage Advantage. Take a look at the mailing label. The date
directly above your name gives the date of your subscription (or membership)
expiration. To renew, fill out the application on the back of your VA. They
are also available online if you prefer to keep your newsletter intact.
If a subscriber click here for an subscription form:
http://www.airstream.net/subscription.html
If you are a WBCCI member click here:
http://www.airstream.net/application.pdf

Scott

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 21:41:54 -0700
From: Brad Norgaard <stream2699@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] More road worthiness questions

Hi Ivan - I have a copy of the wiring diagram for the Bargeman 7 pin
connector that Gerald J. referred to. Email me off list if you would like it
sent to you.

As far as the brake controller goes, I have a Prodigy and have been very
happy with it. Mind you, I have never towed before so that is my one and
only benchmark. I still love it nonetheless and feel confident in referring
it to anyone.

FF

>> Hi again,
>> 
>> Well I was able to drop the belly pan on our 55 and the wires all
>> look good.  I noticed on the tow vehicle that there is a connecter with 6
>> pins it it and I wondered exactly what they are.  Looks like running lights
>> account for one cable, break lights are two (left and right), the tandem
>> axle breaks seems to be two lines that connect to one, but I don't know how
>> to test that.  What would the other two lines be?
>> 
>> Also I need to purchase both a good break controller and a breakaway
>> kit.  Any recommendations on models and places to purchase them?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> -Ivan

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Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 23:42:58 EST
From: RESORARCHITECT@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re:Gate valve and black water tank

Hello'
I pulled out our sewage tank from under our '65 Airstream Trade Wind Twin 24' 
this weekend. The tank is in good shape and not leaking or broken. The cast 
iron connection for the toilet is rusted to oblivion. How can that be repaired? 
Is there a new tank kit to replace the whole thing? How important is it to 
split the tank into grey and black water? Did everyone know that the heat duct 
to the rear floor heater vent continues back into the box that holds the waste 
water tank in place? That was an entry point for vermin into our rig and 
cleaning their residue out of that duct was tricky! Now that that's clean and the 
tank is out...suddenly the back of the rig no longer smells!
J.R. at Sonrise RV in Escondido, Ca told me that, yes, a nozzel can be 
attached to the back of your tanks to facilitate flushing out the tank when it's 
time to drain them. Now we won't need warm black water in our tank when we 
travel! We think this nozzel idea will help greatly when the rig is stationary for a 
long time but in use. We're determined to have a clean rig all over and 
under. 
Thanks, Stuart and Bonnie

Resor Architect, 1268 Blue Sky Drive, Cardiff By The Sea, California 
92007-1005, 760-753-8022. Fax: 760-753-8058. RESORARCHITECT@xxxxxxxxxx.com            
Or: "Desert Star Ranch" 2299 Borrego Valley Road, (Mail: PO box 1983), 
Borrego Springs, Ca. 92004. 760-525-0076 cell. DESERTSTARANCH@xxxxxxxxxx.com

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End of VAL Digest V1 #77
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