TOUR AMERICA, 2020: PARADISE OAKS RV RESORT, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

Newbies Guide to RV Batteries — Camping? No Problem!

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

118

December 3, 2020

Temperature 74 Degrees

Goodbye Jay

All Charged Up

The Little Slide That Will Not Slide

Goooooooooooooooooood Morning World!

This morning was overcast but relatively warm.  No need for any heaters during the night nor when we woke up.  But the cold is coming back.  They’re saying most likely beginning either this Sunday or Monday and hanging around for about three nights.

There were three projects on the docket today all of which our mobile tech Jay was supposed to handle.  Our appointment was for between 8 and 8:30 am.  Well, 8 became 9 and 9 became 10 and 10 became 11 and still no Jay.  Not even a phone call.  OK, his tech skills are good but his customer service skills definitely need some work.  Both Barb and I agreed, it is time to look for someone who is much more reliable.  So we are on the hunt again.

About those projects. . . .

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The main project was removing the old 6 volt deep cycle batteries.  When I first purchased the coach I noticed that the four had been purchased in September of 2018.  OK, deep cycle batteries are usually good for five to six years so I thought we would be alright.  However, they were low – really low – on water.  It took me a gallon to fill all four.  Since then, I’ve made sure each month that they were properly filled.  However, when I filled them this past month I noticed that the cases were beginning to bulge on the sides.  Not a good sign at all.  Time to replace them.

So, as with the chassis battery I made my diagram and prepared to pull them.  There was one wrinkle, since I had a Xantrex converter/inverter per there instructions the positive cable must be disconnected first.  Not sure why, but I wan’t about to argue.

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I did some research and this is what I finally decided on as a replacement battery.  I would have loved to put in Lifeline maintenance free 6 volt deep cycle batteries but I simply could not justify the hundreds of dollars that each one would have cost.  My research indicated that if you were willing to do regular monthly maintenance then the Trojan T 105 would be the next best thing.  So there they are wating to go in.

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Rust-Oleum - Black, Flat, Enamel Spray Paint - 73374456 - MSC Industrial  Supply

After the old batteries were out I cleaned the tray and then painted it with Rustoleum Paint and Primer.  This should stop the tray from completely rusting out thereby preventing my batteries from ending up on the road.

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Installed and all hooked up.  I checked and double checked before I made the last connection and turned the power back on.  We had a go!

We now have all new batteries, hopefully the last we shall have to purchase during our ownership of this rig.  The converter/inverter is working properly.  All our 12 volt lights are shinning bright.  We really didn’t need Jay after all.

Oh, remember the last time I changed the chassis batteries the slide would not go back out?  Well, it has nothing to do with the batteries.  Unfortunately, we also have an issue with the one slide.  I had to fuss with it today to get it to come in.  Well, I finally got it in and back out again.  Will it come back in the next time?  Good question!

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  One project down with two more to go.  I hope to tackle project number two tomorrow.  Tomorrow, we also have to take our old batteries back inorder to get our core charge credit.  As of now it is time for me to just sit back and relax.  My back is feeling the effects of carrying and installing the batteries.  So, I’m just chilling out.

Thanks again for joining us today on our journey.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

TOUR AMERICA, 2020: PARADISE OAKS RV RESORT, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

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Places We Have Called Home In 2020

119

December 3, 2020

Temperature 71 Degrees

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Taking Care of the Little Things

Gooooooooooooooooooood Morning World!

Now this is much more like Florida.  It was in the 40’s when we woke up this morning.  That is par for the course down here this time of the year.  By mid afternoon we were up in the 70’s.  Not bad at all.  There are a few  more 30’s nights in the future, but one or two are no real cause for concern.

A short trip around the park today and . . . .

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you can see that some people are getting in the Christmas Spirit.

A couple of items arrived today . . . .

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the new motor for the steps and

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the drain tray – that should have been installed long ago – that will go under the washer/dryer after it is repaired and before it is put back in.

A few small projects.

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I cleaned and sprayed the tow bar cover and wheel covers with 303 Spray Protectant.

And I cleaned

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some windows that I missed the first time around.

While I was messing around outside Ms. Barbara was inside following up on insurance claims, confirming doctor appointments and looking for odds and ends on the internet.  We each know what we’re good at and it makes for a satisfying division of labor.  We divide and conquer.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  We each were able to accomplish a few things that needed taking care of.  We napped.  We had a wonderful dinner of beef stew.  We watched a few Hallmark shows.  It was a wonderful day from start to finish.  Thank you Lord for the gift of the day that you gave us.

Thanks again for joining us today on our journey.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

 

TOUR AMERICA, 2020: PARADISE OAKS RV RESORT, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

Happy 37th Anniversary Celebration With Golden Confetti And Spotlight  Royalty Free Cliparts, Vectors, And Stock Illustration. Image 50768735.

Places We Have Called Home in 2020

120

December 2, 2020

Temperature 52 Degrees

How Low Can You Go

And They Said It Would Never Last

Another Round of Doctor Appointments

Goooooooooooooood Morning World!

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How low can you go?  Hey folks, this is Florida and that is where I though I parked Elvira.  Yet, when you wake up in the morning and it is 29 degrees outside you begin to wonder if somehow after you went to sleep someone picked you up and dropped you off in Wisconsin.

The worse of it is we’re still working out what works in terms of keeping Elvira warm throughout the night.  In Graybeard we had it down to a science.  But now we have so much more room so we’re still experimenting with what combination of heaters to use.

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Excuse me, time to go put another log on the fire and bask in in the warmth of its glow.

Happy 37th Wedding Anniversary, Two cats dancing card #Ad , #SPONSORED,  #Wedding, #… | Wedding anniversary cards, 51st wedding anniversary, 37th  wedding anniversary

And some said it would never last.  Yet here we are 37 years later and still in love.  It’s been an exciting journey filled with so many memorable moments.  Along the way there have been hills to climb and rivers to cross, and some days we just shook our heads and wondered why, but looking back we hold hands and just smile knowing that the jouney has been worth every mile.

So how did we spend our special day?  Well, when you’re getting to our age it usually means yet another round of doctor appointments.  Ms Barbara had one in the morning and the afternoon.  I had one in the afternoon as well.

Ah, but yes we did go out for supper.  Sort of.  We picked up Chinese and brought it home.  Can’t be too careful about where you go out to eat these days.  Elvira, however is as safe as safe can be.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  A special day indeed.  Another day spent together traveling along, hand in hand, singing our song.  Thank you Lord for this special lady that is my wife.  She is my light, my life, my love.

Thanks again for stopping by today  We always appreciate your company, and your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

 

 

 

TOUR AMERICA, 2020: PARADISE OAKS RV RESORT, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

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Places We Have Called Home In 2020

121

December 1, 2020

Temperature 59 Degrees

Going Even Lower

Time to Close the Shades

The Perfect Meal For a Chilly Day

Gooooooooooooooooood Morning World!

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Yup, 39 Degrees when I awoke at 6 am.  Inside, around 67 degrees but if you’ve ever lived in a trailer or motorhome you know that that is not really that warm.  However, a thirty minute run with the furnance brought the temperature up to a reasonable level and we were roasty, toasty warm.  Once the temperature is up, our electric heaters can maintain it going forward.

Regarding tonight, it is only 8 pm and we are already below this morning’s temperature.  Our electric heaters are on and we are in our flannel PJ’s so we’re doing good.  I’m guessing we’ll get down to around 33/34 degrees by morning’s early light.  Oh well, as long as I don’t wake up to snow on the ground I’m alright!

We now have neighbors to our left and right.  One couple is from Williamsport, PA and the other couple is from somewhere in Maine.  The later couple were joking today about it is warmer where they came from then it was here in Bushnell.  All I know is that up until now we never really worried about having to pull our shades down but now things have definitely changed!

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Ms. Barbara decided that today was the perfect day to make beef stew in the corckpot.  I seconded the notion without a moment’s hesitation.  I will say it was delicious and I for one intend to have as much of the leftovers as I can in the days ahead.

That was our day on The Road of Retirment.  I helped our neighbors move in.  I spent some time on route planning for next year.  I know, it all can and will probably change many times over before we leave here.  But I enjoy doing it so I don’t mind.  Time now to go find another blanket for our bed.  Keep warm one and all.  Before I forget, thanks for the suggestions regarding our washer/dryer.  I did a bit more investigation today and, unfortunately, it appears the leak is in the back. Yup, it is going to have to come out.

Thanks again for stopping by today  We always appreciate your company, and your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!