1 Dead Cell equals 1 New Battery

Since I am here for a month in Albuquerque, I have been in no rush to do much of anything and thus, I have tinkered with the battery in the Jeep during the past week as I have done other little tasks in the RV -- charging the battery a few times and getting around to the Walmart, Albertsons, Bank of America and the liquor store.  Also, the winds have persisted over the past few days making it less than desirable to be out in the middle of nowhere with the dust and tumbleweeds blowing around.

Finally, after trying to charge the battery more than a few times (with and without the cables attached) and still only being just able to crank/start the Jeep when necessary, I decided to head for the nearest Interstate Battery store to get their opinion on the battery (must be over 3 years old anyway).  As I watched the mechanic check each of the cells specific gravity, I half hoped he would see one bad cell while in the back of my mind I feared there might be some other electrical problem such as the starter solenoid or the starter itself (though it had been replaced just 2 years ago in Tempe along with the AC compressor).  The mechanic checked the first five and they were fine but, the last one visually showed it was bad -- thank goodness.  I didn't have to head for the Jeep dealer across town and the cost of the new battery was worth the peace of mind.


So nice to hear the smooth crank and quick start of the engine now.  For sure, I am ready for that wonderful $5 buffet at the route 66 casino tomorrow and then some of the local sights.

I did get back to the neighborhood near the Walmart to get a picture or two of those homes with the semi-circular rooms like the house on Quitman street in Denver -- my childhood home.

These homes were visible on the top of a steep hillside as I came back from the battery store on I-40W crossing over the Rio Grande river.  There was a wonderful looking pedestrian/bikers bridge running right next to the interstate too.  The neighborhood has lots of gated homes and many of the streets are dead ends just short of the steep drop-off -- with beautiful views of the river below and the peaks just a little east (part of Cibola National Forest).  Perhaps Sandia Heights.