Date:         Mon, 5 Dec 2011 19:39:25 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Voltage regulator or some other electrical issue??
Comments: To: Melissa Mourkas <westywoman@MAC.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <C0901F2E-159D-4EF3-8C32-B5EEF0BA8F8D@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Melissa,

After living for 30 years in Alaska, I can tell you from experience that
the onset of cold weather will "out" a lot more than just batteries. If
you have weak seals anywhere - they will start to leak. If your starter
isn't in the very best of shape - it will probably fail, generator
bearings that are worn, will let go, the list goes on. Being an 'ol boy
from the South - going to and living in Alaska through many a winter
taught me a great deal about cold weather operations. Imagine my
reaction when on the first day I ever experience a -40F temp and I tried
to drive to town on my cold tires. The flat side next to the ground
stays flat for quite a way down the road. It's
whumpity-whumpity-whumpity-whumpity- whumpity as you bounce along until
enough internal heat energy from friction within the tire itself begins
to loose up the rubber. Yup - interesting what cold weather does.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com


On 12/5/2011 2:50 PM, Melissa Mourkas wrote:
> It has been my experience over the years that the onset of cold weather will "out" a weak battery that will otherwise seem fine. Until that one day comes.
>
> Melissa
> '84 Westy Honey Bee
> Sacramento, CA
> www.westywoman.com
>
> On Dec 5, 2011, at 9:59 AM, Annie wrote:
>
>> Today, it's *very* frosty and cold so I started the van up, defrosters on
>> full blow and let it warm up while I scrape the windows. Got finished
>> clearing windows, turned on headlights, left fan on high 'cause it's
>> freezing cold, drive kids to school. Get half a block from school, van
>> dies.
>