From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2757
Today’s thought
“We need to think about how much hatred exists in the world and start asking ourselves the question of what we can do.” —Pope Leo XIV
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Apple Day!
On this day in history: 1879 – Thomas Edison applies for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb.
Tip of the day
Taking care of RV batteries, high-tech style
By Greg Illes
Sometimes RV batteries seem ridiculously simple—we tend to see them as either working or dead. But there is way more than meets the eye in this 2,000-year-old technology. [According to panasonic.com: The “Baghdad Battery” – ceramic pot battery and the world’s oldest “ceramic pot battery” was discovered in the remains of Khu jut Rabu, a village in the outskirts of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. This battery is more than 2,000 years old.]
RV batteries are made with lead plates interleaved with lead-dioxide plates. The plates are immersed in sulfuric acid, and the electrochemical reaction creates the battery effect. The whole bundle is wrapped up in a big plastic box with the electrical terminals on top.
As current is drawn from the battery, a chemical change occurs which causes both plates to begin to change into lead sulfate. But this is where a major wrinkle arises…
Article and video
Owl watching tips: How to learn 10 common owl calls
By Cheri Sicard
Owls are often heard before they’re seen. For birders in the Eastern U.S., knowing the sounds can turn a quiet night into a wildlife highlight. This article and video from Badgerland Birding covers common calls, how to remember them, and simple clues to help confirm what is calling nearby. Knowing these common calls adds a new layer to any evening walk.
Featured article
How to install a 30-amp RV outlet at home
When electricity expert Mike Sokol was writing for RVtravel.com, he received an inquiry from Cory, in the Comments section, wondering about installing a 30-amp RV outlet on a residential 150-amp service panel on the outside of his house. Here’s Mike’s response.
3-in-1 NOAA radio, flashlight and phone charger must-have for RVers
This emergency hand-crank radio is a necessity for RVers. Keep it somewhere safe—you never know when it will come in handy. The 3-in-1 radio is also a bright LED flashlight and a smartphone charger. The radio can be charged via solar charging, hand cranking or a USB plug. Learn more in this article, and you’ll want to buy one here.
Ask Dave
How to safely store fuel in a portable container
FREE IS GOOD! Free California visitor’s guide (from the State of California) or Free California Travel Planners and Guides (from Go-California.com)
Reader poll
Have you ever been evacuated from a campground?
Quick tip
How to get the best results from your RV oven
From longtime RVtravel.com reader Jim Johnson, on how to get the best results from your RV oven: “Here’s something FAR better than a pizza stone! Measure your oven bottom (where you put that pizza stone) inside the venting holes. Go to a metal shop and order a 1/8″ sheet of pure copper of this size. Yes, it costs more than a pizza stone.
Copper is one of the best elements for heat transfer. It is why you find it in nearly every computing device as a heatsink [passive cooling device]. Copper wants to be the same temperature across its entire surface. That is why copper-bottom pans are so nice. A copper sheet will spread that propane burner hotspot evenly across its entire surface faster than a pizza stone for shorter pre-heat times. Further, it is not going to break when your RV oven bounces down the road.” —Thanks, Jim!
On this day last year…
- RV review: 2025 Coachmen Brookstone 318RLL—all decked out
- Ask Dave: Why does heat blow out of RV’s ceiling vents but not floor?
- Article & video: The best electric heaters under $25 for small RVs
Website of the day
National Parks Quiz And Trivia
This is fun! This page from National Parks Trivia will get your brain working and teach you new things about our beautiful parks.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Okay, we want you to order this for the very special lady in your life. We’ll just give you a hint about it. We searched Amazon for “Sexy RV Nightgown.” This is what came up. Wow! We get excited every time we see this.
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 28 percent have flown in a hot air balloon at least one time.
• 22 percent say that driving on urban/city roads are their least favorite kind of roads.
• 16 percent do not have children.
Recent poll: Have you ever met a celebrity or other well-known public figure on an RV trip?
Trivia
Today, “freelancer” refers to a person who works on their own terms and completes contract work for one, or multiple, companies. The original freelancers weren’t writers, though. In the early 1800s, the term was first used to refer back to medieval mercenaries, “free lances.” They were soldiers free of commitment to a particular country and instead worked for whoever offered the best pay.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Got Mia at a shelter. She is such a joy.” —Marie McPeak
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Leave here with a laugh
A man approached a very beautiful woman in the supermarket and asked, “I’ve lost my wife somewhere in here. Can we talk for a couple of minutes?” She asked, “Why?” He said, “Because every time I talk to a beautiful woman, my wife appears out of nowhere.”
Small blind spot mirror good for all vehicles
If you don’t have one of these on your RV or tow vehicle, you need one! These small 2″ round glass blind spot mirrors easily stick onto your current mirror, no hard work is needed! They’re waterproof and rust-resistant and can rotate and sway to be adjusted for the best visibility. They’re affordable and could save you from an accident. Learn more or order.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Current fire and smoke map from AirNow
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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I don’t know, call it self-abuse, but I always seem to check out the “MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY”. I have yet to find anything that, for me, could serve any useful purpose and is not overpriced.
Good morning, Impavid. Yeah, I have fun looking to see what’s been put in there. I never know until I click on it, like the rest of you. And I frequently “groan” when I see it, probably also like the rest of you. But it’s fun, anyway. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
A shout-out to whomever writes the descriptions for the “Mystery Product” … they get me every time! I wondered if you get a tiny commission based on clicks, or only for purchases (which for me would be never.) I have bought several of the products mentioned by Gail or Nancy; some of them are now real faves.
Hi, Rebecca,
Yes and no… No, we do not get a commission when you click on the Mystery Product or any Amazon links. However, here’s how Amazon’s affiliate program works (for everyone): When you click on our link and make a purchase within 24 hours, we receive a small commission on the sale. Sometimes it’s 3 cents, other times it’s $3. Never much, but it does help! Thanks for asking, and even more importantly, thanks for reading! 🙂
We order a whole lot of things on Amazon, and we use the link, so you might be getting more of a commission than you realize.
I think I misunderstood how the commission works. If I don’t purchase within 24 hours then no commission is paid, Is that correct?
About 8 to 10 months ago (I think), the mystery product was a laundry stick that claimed to take out almost every kind of stain. I ordered a couple of them and they absolutely take out every stain that I have tried them on. It even worked on clothing that had been previously washed with other stain removers. Consequently, I always check the mystery product!
That’s good to hear, Donny. Thanks! I think Emily runs an ad for that product occasionally now, since it works so well. Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane
I bought those too, works great for taking in the rv. Plus they do work well. I love the mystery product of the day, sometimes I groan, sometimes I laugh. Once I even purchased. Sometimes they are funnier than the laugh of the day.
Might I join the club? I also look just to see what might pique my interest, but have yet to find anything. One of these days… maybe, but like Diane said, don’t know if you don’t look.
Hi, Kevin. Yep, I look because it’s interesting to see what’s linked in there, but also because when I’m proofing stuff I have to make sure the links are correct. So, this section of the newsletter is a particularly fun part of my proofing job. Have a great day! 😀 -Diane
Mia is a wonderful looking pup!
it’s amazing what great dogs you can find at a shelter. So lucky you found her!