stevegoldberg1@gmail.com

Howard - thanks. This relay is a bit tough to get to, and I want to make sure I don't make things worse. Is the cap easy enough to remove and then later reseal? Any special tricks?

I need help from someone who knows!! 2003 Fleetwood American Eagle. That year they used a Power Gear battery control center. My house batteries will charge on shore power and with the generator, but not from engine power. Earlier this year I replaced the circuit board ($455) because there was some corrosion, but the problem is back. With the engine off, I measure 12.9V across both terminals of the relay. after 15 seconds, the relay shuts (or opens) and I get 12.9v at one relay, but only 6.9V on the other terminal. There is a harness going to the circuit board, and when I disconnect that, the relay opens (or closes), and I then get 12.9V across both terminals, but then 15 seconds later, the relay again closes (opens?) and the 6.9V comes back to the s\2nd terminal. So I have had folks tell me I need a new relay. I called Power Gear. They agreed it was probably a relay issue, not the circuit board. A new relay from Power Gear costs $680!!!. There are other 200A relays on the market for RVs ranging from $50 to $200. Don't they all do the same thing? Power Gear says that the relay is activated whenever the current goes below 13.3V. Isn't that controlled by the circuit board? Do I really need to spend almost $700 for a relay? Please help.........

I have an opportunity to get (no charge) a 1975 8-cyl Jeep CJ5 with 40,000 mi which has been garaged since 1997. Assuming not TOO much rust, and moderate restoration costs, what do y'all think about this as a towed vehicle?

How come in the magazines I see pictures of motorhomes, all by themselves -- no trailer parks -- in absolutley beautiful scenic serene settings, and when I can find something approaching these, there are "no tresspassing" signs, rangers, crowds, etc.? Where are these gorgeous places? I'm interested, both for visiting and for boondocking.