Battery inspection

Finally now finding time to work on my car before the Fall semester. We've been to Europe (4 weeks) and drove out to VT (2 1/2 weeks), so this summer so far has been a lot of time (well-spent) traveling.

Today I pulled out my front 3-pack (of 8-total, 12V Trojans), cleaned them w/ a baking soda & water solution, cleaned out the boot area, laid down a rubber mat, leveled and re-situated them in the boot. A good deal of battery acid was found between two and in front of them, hence I'm trying the rubber mat (actually, it is the remnants of a blow-up mattress from a Pooh bed..I know, so lame, but didn't want to spend any $$). We'll see how acid-resistant it is.

Also, filled all my batteries w/ water and almost used 3 quarts. They were quite low, though thankfully no plates were showing. Put another charge to 'em, so I'm going out soon to check on the state of things.

Now it is time to give the car a workout so I can be sure that the batteries are ready for another winter. This one was a bit hard on them, but I think that they'll last from what I'm reading. They are still holding about 103.7-103.9 (and that is the reading a few hours after a charge). That's 2.16 per cell, which is good. I'm hoping that the sluggishness I'm feeling is from lack of use and that w/ exercise, the range and performance will extend.

I will be taking Eva to Academie Lafayette most mornings, so it is now going to be tested w/ a little extra weight (42-45lbs, depending on her backpack). Will be fun to ride w/ someone for a change, esp. her, as she always asks if we are taking 'the orange car'.