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G has a "swell" time kayaking

G has a "swell" time kayaking
G has a "swell" time on Lake Michigan in an inflatable canoe

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico
Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Warren Dunes Sunset

Warren Dunes Sunset
Warren Dunes Sunset

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Carbon Foam Technology Batteries



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Recently we had two battery choices in RVs. One was to use a lead acid battery, usually AGM and the other was to use a lithium battery, usually LiFePO4.

I've added a link to a 2015 article about these "Carbon Foam Technology" batteries at the end of this post and a link to the manufacturer's brochure. Please note that I am not endorsing this product as I do not currently own it. But it seems to be the poor man's lithium battery and I will definitely consider upgrading to it when I next change the AGMs.

Comparing benefits and trade-offs to each (AGM versus Lithium):
  1. AGM batteries are relatively inexpensive, but can only provide about 700 charge-discharge cycles if operated to 80% DoD (depth of discharge).  That's perhaps four years if there is a charge-discharge cycle every other day. The cost for 220Ah batteries is about $450. 
  2. Lithium batteries are relatively expensive, but can provide 2,000 cycles under similar conditions at a cost of about $1,939.
As can be seen above, the cost per discharge cycle favors the AGM batteries. To get 2,100 cycles from AGM batteries operated at 80% DoD will require three sets (exchanges) of batteries at a cost of 3 x $450 = $1,350.  That's better than the $1,939 cost of the lithium batteries.

Carbon Foam AGM Batteries
There is a different design of AGM battery available that promises longer life at 50% and 80% DoD.  This battery has been in use for about 8 years.  The Carbon Foam AGM battery is more costly than a standard AGM, but significantly less costly than a Lithium battery. Yet, it has similar performance characteristics to the LiFePO4.



Advantages and disadvantages of the Carbon Foam battery are:
  1. Can be repeatedly used to 80% DoD. "Depths of Discharge to 80%-100% of rated capacity without any loss of performance."
  2. Can provide 1,000 deep discharge cycles 80% DoD. That's about 1.4 times normal AGM batteries.
  3. Can provide 3,600 cycles at 50% DoD. That's 3 times normal AGM batteries. (Manufacturer states life is 3,600-4,200 cycles at 50% DoD).
  4. Can be stored in a partially discharged state.
  5. Faster recharge (see end of this post).
  6. Cost is about double that of normal AGMs. (My 220Ah cost about $490 installed). The AGM batteries currently in my coach are stated to provide 700 cycles at 80% DoD. The cost advantage of the carbon foam battery diminishes as the DoD increases.
  7. Like AGMs, can be recharged at temperatures as low as (-)4F (operating range is -4F to +131F).

Technology
According to the manufacturer, here is what is different about the Firefly Oasis AGM battery:  "The Oasis uses a patented microcellular carbon foam grid imbedded [sic] onto the internal negative plates. This grid prevents large sulfate crystals from forming, thus the sulfate will easily dissolve back into the electrolyte with a full charge. For a full capacity recovery, no “equalization” is required with Oasis. Only do a full recharge as needed to “open up” the full capacity once again. There is no permanent damage or capacity loss from extended PSOC (partial state of charge) operation, or from deep discharging to a low SOC (state of charge)."


Link to 2015 Article:

https://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/Can-Carbon-Foam-Batteries-Meet-Hype-11694-1.html


Recharging
"The Firefly showed to have charged at a faster rate than a smaller capacity AGM battery. That, coupled with the fact that there is no need for it to be fully recharged each cycle, makes the Firefly Oasis Gp31 the closest thing to Lithium in charging performance, and has established itself as the gold standard of Lead Acid AGM batteries."

Link to the recharging comparison article:

https://coastalclimatecontrol.com/index.php/blog/186-firefly-batteries-new-testing-reveals.html


Manufacturer's Brochure
Link to a pdf of the brochure:

http://fireflyenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/12VG31-brochure-SPI-LV-1.pdf


Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Summer and Winter Bases


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G prefers to call these "our lily pads." We're currently in the winter home base and we're planning for the return to the summer base. We can winter or full time at the "winter base" but the summer base is only open from May 1 thru October 31.  That's fine as we may be in the winter base from fall through spring. Summers only at the summer base!

Because of the sun and ambient temperatures in the southwest, we have a covered site at a resort. We can park the Roadtrek in the shade of this site, too!



The summer base has some shade and that's great. We get afternoon direct sun, but morning through early afternoon we are shady and mild.



Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Larger Rig Issue - Sprung Suburban Oven Door & Cinnamon Buns


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One of our "home bases" is a 5th wheel. We discovered the oven door would not close completely. I removed and dismantled the door but was unable to make an adjustment that would properly hold the door shut.

I decided to add a hasp, and this is a short video about that. It works very well and I tested it out on a batch of cinnamon buns.

Here's two short videos about this:





Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Sunday, February 4, 2018

The 26th Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering


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Music, Dancing, Poetry, Storytelling, Wow, what a day!  This year's theme was "Barn Dance & Western Swing". 

On Saturday February 3 G and I went to Sierra Vista, AZ for the Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering. This post includes a link to a brief video, a few photos and a link.

This is an annual event. This year's gathering had the theme "Barn Dance and Swing". So, there was dancing, music and of course, poetry!   The event began on February 2 and ran through the 4th, but we could only attend on the 3rd. Bummer! 

The day was arranged into two segments. The first began at 10:00 am and ran until 5:00pm. During this period there were 30 poets, musicians and storytellers in 58 sessions in a variety of areas. The settings were informal and up close. Great opportunity to meet the artists and hear their performance. Each segment was 50 minutes in length. Pick your artists and venue and go to the segments you choose. Three segments were dedicated to lunch. The cost of the day was $10 for adults, and lunch is optional. I understand 30 musicians and poets from all over the US and Canada performed. This included several from Sierra Vista. In addition there were young students who performed their prize winning poems.

There was a break from 4:30 to 6:00pm for the "Barn Dance" with music by Syd Masters & The Swing Riders.  Lots of fun and we danced. Good for the soul.

A second ticket allows one to attend the evening's entertainment. The cost for this was $20 per adult and several hours of entertainment were provided in a stage setting after the break. 

We'll definitely be attending next year; need to keep early February open in 2019.

Our thanks to the 100+ volunteers who made this event happen. 

Books, CDs and so on are available:

We purchased a CD



Here's a short video sampler of the day:


A few photos:


OK Chorale Cowboy Trio

Cowboy Thatch

Dave & Kathy McCann

The Cowboy Way

Ron Hinkle

Ron Hinkle

Ms. "V"

Broken Chair Band & Doug Figgs

Evening Stage

Carolyn & Dave Martin

Trinity Seely


Doc Mehl, Washtub Jerry & Doris Daley

Doris Daley

Kylee Crowell

Camila Souza
Cowboy Thatch (Thatch Elmer)
Link to the website:
https://www.cowboypoets.com/

Additional websites:
https://www.cowboywaymusic.com/home

https://www.dougfiggs.com/

http://trinityseely.com/

http://www.cowboypoetry.com/almehl.htm

http://arizonafolklore.com/



Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 2, 2018

Tucson Gem Show


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It's time for the Tucson Gem Show.

This is an annual event and it is unique. Here's a few photos from an earlier show.  G enjoyed it.












Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/



At the Gaslight Theater, Tucson


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While in Tucson we visit the Gaslight Theater, a family friendly place. This is our third show. Last night it was "The Lone Stranger" a musical comedy/parody of the legendary cowboy.   The show included a "sing-along", the musical and then a country-western salute.

All in all, a fun evening.


Before the Curtain Rises

Snacks during the show


Sing-along time!

Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/


Other Roadtrek Blogs

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I'll update this list from time to time. If you are aware of a blog or website by other Roadtrek owners then email me and I'll consider adding it to the list. Note about Hyperlinks: Hyperlinks at this website to other websites do not imply endorsement, sponsorship or an affiliation with the linked site. Links to other websites at this website are provided as a convenience to users of this website.

Here are a several other blogs which are about Roadtrek owner's experiences:

1. Meryl and Me Hit the Road is 2011 Roadtrek 190 Popular (Chevy chassis):

http://roadtrek190popular.blogspot.com/


2. Roadtreker.com is a 2003 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Chevy Express Van chassis):

http://www.roadtreker.com/home

3. Redroverroadtrek.com Red Rover is  1995 Dodge Roadtrek 190 Popular:

http://redroverroadtrek.com/


4. Roadtreklife.blogspot.com is a Roadtrek Agile SS:

http://roadtreklife.blogspot.com/



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Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/


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