Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.
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Today’s thought
“Nature has been for me, as long as I remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion.” —Lorraine Anderson
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pistachio Day!
Tip of the Day
Taking care of batteries high-tech style
By Greg Illes
Sometimes 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. 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. Read about battery sulfation and desulfators here.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Backroad RVing: Don’t get ‘er stuck!
One of the great joys of RVing is to get closer to nature and farther away from the noise and problems of “civilization.” Of course, getting away from civilization can also mean getting away from paved roads – and at times that can put you in the way of getting your rig stuck. Russ and Tiña De Maris can vouch for the truth of this maxim: The best way to get your RV unstuck is to not get stuck in the first place. Read this to help avoid getting stuck, or what to do in case you do get stuck.
Yesterday’s featured article: RV Mods: An access door for your cat or dog
Reader poll
Readers tell us
Is being an RVer more or less challenging than it was 10 years ago? Read what you think here, including your thoughts on both sides.
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION.
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT.
• LATEST RV RECALLS.
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Last Saturday, we were reminded of this hilarious video we posted about a woman who insists deer can read deer-crossing signs. If you missed it, watch it here and get ready for a laugh.
Quick Tip
It wasn’t me; I have proof!
When coming into a new RV park, you should consider taking a cell phone photo of your site before you pull in. Take another cell phone photo when you leave the site! This will prevent unscrupulous RV park owners and managers from trying to say you damaged something on the site and they want you to pay for it! Believe me, they are out there! —Thanks for the tip, Jeffrey Torsrud!
Random RV Thought
On cold winter nights, it’s nice to climb into a warm bed, not a cold one. An easy way to warm a bed before climbing in is with an electric warming blanket. They’re smaller than full-sized blankets but when placed on the bed will make it cozy warm. They also make good lap blankets while lounging on the couch.
Microwave cover collapses for easy storage
When heating your food you don’t want to spend 10 minutes later cleaning the splatters inside the microwave. Here’s the solution — and perfect for RVers: It pops down flat for easy storage. Lid perforations allow steam to escape to keep food moist. Doubles as a strainer, too! Learn more or order here.
Website of the day
The best supermarkets in the U.S.
You either hate to grocery shop or you love it. If you love it, this is for you. Food and Wine has put together a list of the best supermarkets in the U.S., and some of them truly sound amazing.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Analyzing guns, anger and authors.
• A very different all-electric refrigerator.
• How to keep rodents out of your RV.
#893-1
Huge selection of RV tires at terrific prices. Click.
Get rid of your RV’s P-trap. Look here.
Trailer hitches galore. Click here.
Trivia
Where is the middle of America? You’ll find a historic plaque down a dirt road next to a picnic table and a chapel (with a guest book) two miles northwest of Lebanon, Kansas. To visit the actual middle of America, though, you’ll need permission. The direct center of the country is on a privately-owned pig farm.
Sea Cucumbers may have the craziest defense against predators out of any animal. Know what it is? We told you in yesterday’s issue of this newsletter.
Leave here with a laugh
Joe and Jenny drove for miles in silence in their new motorhome after a terrible argument in which neither would budge. After many miles had passed, a frustrated Joe pointed to a mule in a nearby pasture. “A relative of yours?” he asked Jenny. “Yes,” she replied. “By marriage.”
Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY!
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RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Advertising director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
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Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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Regarding your Random RV Report on making your bed warm before climbing in: Just put hot water in a hot water bottle, place it on the mattress, and snooze away. I learned this trick while traveling/camping in Africa. It works!
The geographical center of North America is marked by a large stone monument and plaque in Rugby, North Dakota. It is in town and just off US Hiway #2. (There has been some recent talk about it not being exactly at the center as previously tho’t. (Probably more accurate GPS locations today).
Wikipedia – the fount of all knowledge has the following which supports Kansas:
The GEOGRAPHIC CENTER of the UNITED STATES
LAT. 39°50′ LONG. -98°35′
NE 1/4 – SE 1/4 – S32 – T2S – R11W
Located by L.T. Hagadorn of Paulette & Wilson – Engineers and L.A. Beardslee – County Engineer. From data furnished by U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Sponsored by Lebanon Hub Club. Lebanon, Kansas. April 25, 1940
I’ve been to Rugby. I think the stone cairn was moved from the actual spot because it wasn’t close enough to the highway. Note that the Kansas site is for the U.S. while Rugby is for all of North America – two different things.
You asked “Is being an RVer more or less challenging than it was 10 years ago?”
We would say no, it’s about the same.
We photograph the electric meter before pulling into a site that’s metered, and that saved us a bunch at one commercial RV park that tried to tell us the reading at the start of our visit was WAY lower than it actually was. I hadn’t thought about photographing the site in general though, so definitely appreciate the tip! Thanks
What happens with batteries for sale on store shelves? Are they being tended to?
you can’t take a battery off a store shelf and install it immediately and drive off.
I worked at a local NAPA Auto Parts for 10years doing everything from warehouse, delivery, and counterman. We would always rotate the battery stock when a new shipment came in. They came directly from the manufacture so they were fresh off the line new. We sold all types of lead acid batteries for everything from cars and trucks and heavy duty off road equipment. Only the large off road batteries would sometimes need a new boost charge before they left the store. The other ones were all ready to drop in and use when they left. (We did not do installations there as some other ones do today.)
For those that count the 2000 year history of batteries I submit,
Before Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity in the 1740s, the concept of batteries may have already been in existence, since as early as 2,000 years ago. In 1983, a group of archaeologists have discovered a collection of terracotta jars in Khujut Rabu, a village near Baghdad. The jars contained sheets of copper rolled up with an iron rod. Wilhelm König, one of the German archaeologists, discussed the possibility of this copper and iron combination as a form of galvanic cells used as a battery. When mixed with an acidic liquid, copper and iron can produce a chemical reaction that results in electricity. It is thought that this earliest form of battery may have been used to electroplate gold into the artifacts of the Parthian Civilization. The Parthian Dynasty existed between 250 BCE to 250 CE .
I never drink before noon. It’s ALWAY 5 o’clock somewhere.
There is a place in Belle Fourche, South Dakota which has a monument marking “The Geographic Center of the United States”. (this one includes all 50 states. It also is not in the accurate spot, as the actual spot is on private property.) There is a very large medallion marking the spot and a museum and gift shop.
For the record, there’s a HUGE Central Market store in Poulsbo, WA.
I was of the same mind. You lost my interest at 2,000-year-old technology. With such a glaring issue I would have a hard time with anything what the author has say.
lead-acid batteries date back 2000-years???!!! gotta be a misprint. 200-yrs maybe.
on cold and cold-er nights we warm the bed with an electric mattress pad.
Batteries have been with us for a long time. In 1938 the Director of the Baghdad Museum found what is now referred to as the “Baghdad Battery” in the basement of the museum. Analysis dated it at around 250BC and of Mesopotamian origin.
Just what the heck did the Mesopotamians invent the battery for?
Because they could. Teenagers with time on their hands.
Obviously to extend their gaming experience.
Since the article on Taking Care of Batteries – High Tech Style did not allow comments I will post one here. Those devices that were recommended in the article require a 120 VAC power source. Needless to say that is a huge inconvenience for RVer’s. I have used and HIGHLY recommend a device called PowerPulse 12VDC Model PP-12_L. This device is connected to your battery bank and is powered by the batteries.
Here are some links to view. Information about battery sulfation & Pulse Technology – https://www.pulsetech.net/our-technology/pulse-technology.html
Here is a link to the 12 VDC PowerPulse – https://www.pulsetech.net/store/battery-maintainers/12v-battery-maintainers/pp-12-l-powerpulse-12-volt-battery-maintenance-system.html
I have used these for years on all of my RV batteries. I have one hooked up to my large 8D Chassis Battery and two hooked up to my 4 – 6 VDC GC-2 House Batteries.
Do a Google search and you may find a supplier that is selling them for less.
Sorry, Dr4Film. I didn’t realize the box to allow comments wasn’t checked. I’ve checked that box now, and will try to make sure it’s always selected in the future. Thanks for letting us know. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Dr4Film. And thank you for reposting your comment under the article it relates to. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com