So we headed back to the mechanic shop.
He had a look at things and tested the battery which did not pass the load test. Sherman's engine battery was six years old, so it did not surprise me that it was getting tired. We went back to the Walmart, bought a new battery, and I installed it in the Walmart parking lot.
The volt meter seemed better, but still not quite right. The mechanic had said to stop back again when the new battery was installed and he would test things again. Everything seems fine except there is a small difference between the output of the alternator and the voltage reading at the battery. They should be exactly the same, but they aren't. He didn't have an explanation for it. The battery is definitely charging and the alternator is definitely doing it's job.
Anyhow, it was after 11:00am by the time we finally hit the road.
I had wanted to get some driving in early because by after lunch the winds really pick up and makes it not fun for driving.
So, we simply didn't get very far. We pulled into the Big Sandy Reservoir where there are some free camping spots. Nothing special, but it's do for a night.
Not much traffic.
And pretty dull scenery north of Rock Springs.
Ah, that's better. Heading for the moutains.
Sherman, parked up at Big Sandy Reservoir.
It was a really windy afternoon! A couple of small storms went through, but we still managed to get out for a 3 mile (5 km) walk.
Looking back at where Sherman was parked.
Road to nowhere.
Swans!
Snow in the mountains.
Sheep!
That's a new one.
Still has the umbilical cord.
Back at the motorhome, I had a nap and then we played some backgammon. Ruth had bought a whole chicken and put the oven on for a roast dinner. It sure smelled good roasting in the oven.
Roast chicken dinner with all the fixings.
Even gravy and stuffing!
The wind died down around 8:00pm and it was a totally peaceful night. But, it is supposed to pick up again this afternoon, so we will get some miles in early today!
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Maybe there's a phantom load? With engine off, measure battery discharge current using DC clamp ammeter
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but wouldn't that eventually draw down the battery if it was just sitting? And that doesn't seem to happen.
DeleteHow do you handle showers when you're boondocking and not hooked up to water/sewer?
ReplyDeleteWe have learned to take quick showers where the water is turned off as we suds up and only turned on to rinse off. Plus we don't shower every day, often it is much longer but we do give ourselves "sponge" baths out of our bathroom sink. We rarely have problems finding free places to dump and fill so we arrange our showers around those places along our route.
DeleteDO you have an isolator or relay to charge the coach batteries off the alternator? Most RV's do and the diode type drop at least .6 volts..
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ervsolar.com/battery-isolators
You are correct, and I did not know that. Yes, I do have that setup, however the voltage is appearing lower than normal. I will do some more testing at some point.
DeleteDinner looks wonderful! Would you believe I've never roasted a whole chicken?! I love it, but my husband doesn't care for skin or bones, so we tend to do boneless breast, which isn't nearly as flavorful. Good job, Ruth!
ReplyDeleteIt was so good, and it didn't take all that long to prepare. I can't believe that you have never roasted a whole chicken, lol.
DeleteIt's true the boneless chicken breasts don't have as much flavour but I prefer them to say a chicken thigh or leg which Kevin would prefer. At least with a whole chicken you get the best of both worlds and then leftovers for soup and even a possible chicken casserole or chicken sandwiches.