Description

I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

Moved

Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The latest in weight lifting OR Electrical short fries batteries

At least I think that’s probably what happened. You’ll remember the truck troubles I had in Alpine, Texas from a shorted battery cable. Seems the saga continues. I’m guessing there was just enough battery power to start the truck daily and the alternator did the rest to get me here. But after sitting leveled to live in the camper for 11 days without starting (I know, my bad, been busy with Mom) this morning my poor girl had no spark, not even an interior light. In fact the battery charger wouldn’t even try. So I called Good Sam, we should be on a first name basis soon, and asked for a jump. Big truck from Joe’s Wrecking Service arrived in 20 mins. But after 20 mins of charging, my girl still wouldn’t start. I had options. But Joe wasn’t one of them as he’d been called Only for a jump. So I dug out my limited tools, wrench and socket set, and got the battery cables off. Then lifted the batteries out of the truck. No easy feat considering I’m 5’5” (and shrinking) and weigh about 120 pounds. Then I waited for Mom to get back from errands and lifted the batteries into her trunk. Went to Wally’s  where I got a cart, lifted the batteries out of the trunk and wheeled my way to automotive. Unfortunately they didn’t have the batteries I needed. So I wheeled them back out and lifted them back into the trunk. And off we went to PepBoys. I googled for a map and Mom took off her own way and we got there. This time I went into the store and asked for someone to lift the batteries out of the trunk, and the new ones back in. These Bosch batteries better last forever as they were priced like diamonds. Mom got us home where I, once again, lifted the batteries out of the trunk. Then onto the top of the grill, and into the appropriate space. Twice I moved those SOBatteries, as the first time I put them in backwards. Hey, I’m Not a mechanic. This is certainly not the kind of weight lifting I practice regularly. After reattaching the battery cables, she started right up and purrs like a kitten. Well not really, it’s really a noisy diesel. I did earn a shower and excellent spaghetti dinner at Mom’s.  Taking muscle relaxers and going to bed. This is the edited version of the story.

10 comments:

Karen said...

I really hope that it was just dead batteries and not something more serious. This trip is costing you a bunch, girl. Good thing it's almost time to go back to work.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I know the situation wasn't funny, but I couldn't help but laugh.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I hate battery, electrical, starting problems. I've been where you are and it is exhausting.

Anonymous said...

Geez, is there anything you can't do? I'd have looked at the truck and just scratched my head. Or more likely sat down and bawled like a baby.

- Jazz

Small City Scenes said...

LOVE IT!!!!!!!! MB

Martha Z said...

It is good you are still young, I'm not sure I could do that anymore. My right arm and shoulder have been rebelling of late, too much time at the keyboard I suspect. It's good that I will have an enforced layoff soon with the upcoming trip to the Southwest I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have and Hubby's laptop and I don't always see eye-to-eye anyway.

Kathie Brown said...

Wow, Gaelyn! You sure did get a work out in more ways than one!!! I'm just glad it worked and you did not need to pay for further repairs! Ouch!

Barb said...

All that impromptu "weight lifting" makes me tired just reading about it! (Especially the part abut going into Wally's with the old battery and then having to wheel it out again...) Start he truck every day now!

Elaine said...

It's amazing what a new battery will do, but you certainly got a workout getting it installed. Hopefully you'll have a smooth run back home with no more mechanical issues!

Janie said...

Ha, I would have had to edit the language on that story quite a bit! Sounds like a lot of lifting. I've had to lift a battery a time or two, and it's no fun at all.
Glad the truck's running again, anyway.

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