Next Project, Please....Oh Wait...

Though the next project is already waiting, the battery odyssey gets another volume to it, and most likely, you're not going to believe it.

With all new batteries in place, we enjoyed an evening in our cozy home on wheels when suddenly, around 9pm, all lights went out. I mean honestly, how can all our 12V lights die just like that?

I grabbed a pocket light and went out to check on the new Lithium battery which is supposed to provide us with tons of energy. My multimeter then showed 10.3V which meant that the BMS (battery Management System) had shut down to protect the battery from further discharge. The thing had shown 14V when installed and had, within 5-6hrs, lost all workable voltage. That sure wasn't right! 

In order to restore our lights, I quickly connected the start batteries with our house wiring, which provided enough power beyond the morning. The lithium was then recharged and reached 13.2V the next day. Next evening rolled around and nothing happened. Next morning, it was 5am, I woke up and couldn't see the red stand-by light from the TV. I got wide awake and walked to the front, trying a light switch, but nothing. Battery was dead again. For the second time, I had to connect to the start batteries. Now I am really upset - call me furious if you like.

I removed the Lithium and re-installed the 4 lead-acid batteries. They are still taking some charge.

Since the lithium was purchased via Amazon, I contacted customer service. They promised to take care of the thing.

I took a deep breath and started thinking of my next project. Our metal roof has loosened in two place from the drivers side sidewall. The roof material is standing out to the side and needs to get refastened. The main challenge is exerting enough power to the metal to press it back into place, then use screws into the wall. An examination turned out that the factory had secured the metal with rivets. Absolutely not a good idea, as the rivets had been sitting in fiberglass and had moved out from the holes.

My carpenter-style solution for getting the metal back to the sidewall is visible in the next pictures. 

Using the top edges of our slide-outs as a hold, I brought a 2x4x12 into place resting on our 2 slide-outs. That 2x4 will be the threshold for shorter pieces wedged between the 2x4 and the sidewall. Thus I was able to get enough strength for bending the roof metal back in place. 

An entirely different thing was to get the necessary stainless steel screws. ACE in Holtville did offer me 9 screws, (needing 60), a place in El Centro promised to order them for the next day. I will be happy if I have them after Christmas though.

This is a continuing saga, so check back later!