Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 14:14:58 -0700
Reply-To: Charles McGehee <chasm@ELLTEL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Charles McGehee <chasm@ELLTEL.NET>
Subject: Re: travel to libby montana
In-Reply-To: <20011011183607.79398.qmail@web13902.mail.yahoo.com>
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Gary,
I dunno about no dual batteries being sold in the US. A friend of mine has
an '89 with dual battery which was originally licensed in Washington
state. I've seen others on used car lots, too. I can't imagine they were
bought outside the country. Anybody else have a thought on this?
As for water hook up, the hose connection delivers water directly to the
sink faucet. There is a pressure regulator inside the hose connector so
you aren't blasted with city water pressure. If its really cold outside, I
would disconnect the hose. In fact, if it gets that cold, many campgrounds
either will have insulated or buried water lines, or shut off their water
altogether. Libby, MT is likely to be freezing already this time of
year. It would take a pretty hard freeze to freeze the line inside the
van, however, if you have any warmth inside at all. Your fridge, if you
are using it, generates a little heat, and the water line from outside is
right near it. Again, if you're really concerned, though, the ethanol
solution or not using the van's water system (tank or hose) at all, seem to
be the only alternatives.
I was only kidding about the 50% ethanol. I meant that if you were to
drink it, you would get "pickled" and wouldn't "go stale."
Charles
'85 Westy
At 11:36 AM 10/11/01 -0700, gary hradek wrote:
>Charles,
> From what I got from the list, no
>vanagons sold in US had the second battery. I
>believe the second battery was an option in europe,and
>or canada only. Some of those vanagons have made
>their way here to the states so perhaps that
>contributes to the confusion.
> I have yet to hook the water up to an outside
>source. What happens when you do this? Does it
>deliver water directly to the water valve? Should I
>not worry about this freezing during the night?
>50% ethanol may take the skin off the hands?
> thanks gary
> >
> > Up it to 50% ethanol and it'll keep you from going
> > stale, too. Seriously,
> > if your wife wants to wash inside, why not hook the
> > sink up with the hose
> > to the campground water supply if you are hooking up
> > anyway?
> >
> > Also, it's interesting that at least some '87's
> > don't have second
> > batteries. Were dual batteries an option back then?
> > Anyone?
> >
> > Charles
> > '85 Westy
> >
> > At 10:08 AM 10/11/01 -0700, gary hradek wrote:
> > >Charles,
> > > It is an 87 westy with no second
> > >battery.
> > >It has the led that warns you with the red,green
> > >yellow lights but did not help me much last week
> > when
> > >I was listening to the bombings. Had to get a
> > jump
> > >start at the campground.
> > > Agree with you about the water but my wife
> > likes
> > >to wash inside. Someone suggests heat tape on the
> > >plastic tank? I still like the 10% ethanol
> > solution.
> > > Keeps the water from going stale too.
> > > thanks for the input, gary
> > >--- Charles McGehee <chasm@elltel.net> wrote:
> > > > Unless there's a special reason for carrying
> > water
> > > > in your tank, I'd drain
> > > > it. You're going to be around water anyway (you
> > > > said you'd be hooking up),
> > > > so it's added weight and trouble. Actually, we
> > > > almost never use the water
> > > > tank regardless of the weather, carrying instead
> > a
> > > > few gallons in
> > > > jugs. Water in the tank is not only unnecessary
> > > > weight, it also tends to
> > > > get stale. Unless we're going to be in the
> > boonies
> > > > for an extended time,
> > > > we don't bother with the tank at all
> > > >
> > > > You didn't mention what year your rig is. Dual
> > > > batteries started with '86,
> > > > if I'm not mistaken. I put an isolated dual
> > system
> > > > in my '85 and built a
> > > > charger into the system. It's a deep-cycle RV
> > > > battery which can last for
> > > > days without recharging. If yours is a newer
> > model
> > > > with factory installed
> > > > dual batteries, I'd think any trickle charger
> > would
> > > > work, but someone with
> > > > more experience should speak to that. Are you
> > sure
> > > > you are drawing down
> > > > your engine battery by using interior lights? I
> > > > thought there was a relay
> > > > in newer rigs that separated the systems.
> > > >
> > > > Charles
> > > > '85 Westy
> > > >
> > > > At 08:52 AM 10/11/01 -0700, gary hradek wrote:
> > > > >We will be taking a trip to Libby, Montana in
> > late
> > > > >October. Would it be safe to travel with
> > water in
> > > > >the storage tank? I have thought to add a 10%
> > > > >ethanol solution to the tank to prevent
> > freezing.
> > > > >We will be hooking up an electrical connection
> > each
> > > > >night. Has anyone used a trickle charger to
> > keep
> > > > a
> > > > >charge on the battery? If so, what kind of
> > > > charger
> > > > >works best and can I run the charger while I
> > use
> > > > the
> > > > >lights and radio in these very long Montana
> > > > nights.
> > > > >Thanks gary
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >__________________________________________________
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>
>
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