Vandwelling 101 -- 2020 Holiday Blahs Revisited

It's Christmas Eve for many, but what about those in a van or nomads alone and on the road.  Often we see many during this holiday time that feel left out or bereft.

So, let's talk about self care and alternative ways to enjoy this month,  especially during the covid-19 pandemic. 

I just went to Dollar General and splurged for less than $10. I bought Eckrich jalapeno and cheddar sausage links.  The 6 links will make either 2 or 3 good meals as the meat base of a meal.  Today,  I'll make potatoes, carrots,  and onions to go with them. Add a slice of whole wheat bread with real butter..ooohhh a treat.  

I got a pkg of 6 fun sized milky way candy bars for $1. The small decadent chocolate sweet satisfies my sweet tooth.  

I also bought $1 canister of potato chips and a box of sweet cereal.  That's my snacking supplies for enjoying while watching movies.  

Entertainment...ahhh thank you YouTube and tubi tv and Pluto for free choices of shows and movies to entertain me.  I have streaming subscription to both CBS and Hulu. 

My holiday attire is comfy leggings or sweaters topped with long sleeve t shirts.  Add a $3 fleece blanket folded in half diagonally for a shawl. 

Next i bundle into my big sleeping bag and liner with snacks and my two 2-liter rc cola for refreshments. 

Add one small chihuahua who steals the bed and demands her share of meals and snacks,  I'm all set for the holiday weekend.  Bliss. Just me and Kira. 

I'll be watching non holiday movies as usual,  King Ralph, Coyote Ugly, The Diehard movies, NCIS, Seal team,  Hawaii 5-0, NCIS Los Angeles. 

So rather than feeling lonely,  neglected,  or self pity,  I've made a pro-active plan for myself and the end of the year holidays. 

So enjoy whatever festive holidays you celebrate at this time,  Kira and I will sit this one out,  enjoying each other. 

See you down the road

JustLou and Kira

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Vandwelling 101 -- Side post batteries and battery shelves in vintage vans

This blog article will be more of educational and theory about why Chevy van and vintage vans with side post batteries tend to cause issues. 

First, a cheap battery is the most expensive thing you can buy.  Batteries are definitely the item that you get what you pay for category.  

Cheap side post batteries have very soft lead where the bolts go in.  Tighten it just a quarter turn too much and you strip the bolt hole threads.  That is not repairable by an average person.  Then the bolt will rotate and make the hole bigger as you go down the road. I've had one arc on me.  

Battery case design has changed slightly.  Getting the battery clamp that secures battery to shelf to hold battery as originally designed is almost impossible.  You can add battery strap to it,  but I'll be designing a modification that involves using standard battery box custom fitted and secured to original battery shelf.  

I have used Walmart Walmart everstart batteries,  interstate batteries,  and I've currently replaced both starter and house battery with good Duracell batteries.  The difference in weight,  case construction,  and posts is easy to see.  

I recently converted my side post battery to a top post. I completely replaced the negative cable with ground,  and replaced the cable end of the positive battery cable. 

Battery cables and ends are crucial parts of your engine electrical.  

It is very easy to replace battery cable ends. And replacement of my negative ground battery cable was less than half an hour including removing old battery cable.  

Replace any old wires.  Replace any wire with insulation that's cut or has rough surfaces.  I was shocked to see 4 splices in a starter wire.  It takes longer to splice it than to replace it. 

A box of varied quick connects and ring ends is standard in my vehicle.  As well as 3 colors electrical tape and various new wires in a variety of gauges. 

Cold and heat both kill batteries.  As well as a dry cell.  Check battery fluid both for low and for acid.  

Clean any corrosion from both battery posts and cable ends.  That white stuff means your battery doesn't have good connections.  It also means take your battery to be checked if you're unsure as to how to check it. 

My new batteries are 12.75 volts when fully charged.  A simple voltmeter or multimeter tests battery and your alternator just fine.  

My vans have an analog battery meter.  It usually goes from 8 to 18. The halfway mark is 13 volts.  

Overcharging is as bad as undercharged battery.  

This is by no means a comprehensive guide to your battery.  But this may help reduce your repair and replacement costs.  

You can take down your entire engine electrical with one faulty part. It causes a domino effect that ends in very costly repairs.  

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