The Intersting Discussion Thread

[Shorty82]

Was that "monster garage"? I used to watch it when I could catch it on the weekends, that made some totally cool vehicles!!

Cool show, but no. This is an actual production RV that was designed to go down a boat launch and propel itself across a lake like a houseboat.

[Big Wallaby]

4 MPH on the surface and 2 MPH submerged isn't really all that fast!

But then again, Hobie could use one to get to Disneyland!!!

No, but on the road it does 75. That's fast enough for me. I haven't done 75 in months.

EDIT: And, it's a nice RV, regardless of the boat-y-ness.

[Shorty82]

No, but on the road it does 75. That's fast enough for me. I haven't done 75 in months.

Ahhh, you poor baby! :) I haven't gone that fast either in a long while except on the way to and from the airport here and down the Orlando highways when they weren't crowded during my visit. I was a passenger all of those times and not the driver. I avoid the Interstate here and no other road around here has a speed limit nearly that high.

Mind getting on AIM? I want to talk to you for a few minutes.

[crystal_crtr]

Check this out. I want one of these.

http://www.flixxy.com/zenn-electric-car.htm

I want one too!!!

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I want one too!!!

The only problem is that they will only go about 25 miles. unless you live REALLY close to work, and have a place to recharge, it could mean some towing, or a really really long cord!!

DW and I have been looking at the smart car! AS a second vehicle for around the neighboorhood.

BTW I did see one of these on the freeway when driving through PA last year!

http://www.smartusa.com/

[Randy B]

The company that got the service call from AAA called me a few minutes ago. According to the lady there her tow truck drivers are slow going getting into their trucks this morning. Her service truck driver (does jumps and all I guess) is going to come by and see if I can be jumped off when he gets done with the call he is on now if none of the tow drivers are ready to go before then.

She said that according to him usually a vehicle with my symptoms can be jumped. I hope so. If it'll jump I'll go straight to work and buy a new battery while there.

If this happens and there is no obvious cause (left the headlights on all night, ran the dome light for a week, etc) you may have more trouble than a bad battery. One car I had was afflicted with dead batteries a bit too often and I had the alternator checked. BAD! I went through 3 alternators before I got one that would last more than a year. Each time one went bad it would not only stop charging the battery (so any use of the lights radio or starter would drain the battery that was not recharged) but would eventually damage the battery itself. Many automotive stores (with repair facilities) will do a charging system check for free or very inexpensively when you buy a new battery. It will take more time than a simple battery replacement, but IMHO is well worth the time and minimal cost.

Randy

[Shorty82]

If this happens and there is no obvious cause (left the headlights on all night, ran the dome light for a week, etc) you may have more trouble than a bad battery. One car I had was afflicted with dead batteries a bit too often and I had the alternator checked. BAD! I went through 3 alternators before I got one that would last more than a year. Each time one went bad it would not only stop charging the battery (so any use of the lights radio or starter would drain the battery that was not recharged) but would eventually damage the battery itself. Many automotive stores (with repair facilities) will do a charging system check for free or very inexpensively when you buy a new battery. It will take more time than a simple battery replacement, but IMHO is well worth the time and minimal cost.

Randy

From the beginning I was afraid it might be the starter as I had power but when I turned the key the solenoid only clicked and no power was pulled. The power gauge didn't drop at all like it would if the battery was at fault. When the jump attempt didn't help I knew for certain it had to be the starter. I work at AutoZone so I know all about testing batteries and all. All AutoZones (though we don't have any bays or anything) will test batteries and alternators on the car, batteries, alternators, starters, coils, and a few other things in the store, read check engine lights on '96 and newer cars, change batteries if it is accessible, change wipers, change bulbs if they can be gotten to easy and we're slow, and a bunch of other things all for free.

Got the van towed down to a shop near work where I know everybody from making many deliveries to them of car parts. I've gotten to be friends with them. The guy that's pretty much their gofer ran me to my store and took a new starter back with him. A little while later I learn my van is done. It took them no time at all to fix it. When I finally made it down there to pick it up and settle my bill they gave me a much better deal than I was expecting. The van fired right up when I went out to it.

[Whazzup]

Shorty, glad to hear you're back at work and making a living so you can save up for that BIG MOVE TO ORLANDO! :D: