On Saturday we saw that the weather forecast was looking good for this week (mostly sunny, day temps in the 40s) so we decided that on Monday, we would make a quick trip down the coast to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, returning Wednesday. This would be our maiden voyage in our "new to us" 2008 PC2350 that we purchased in early February.
On Sunday morning, I unplugged the coach and moved it close to the front door to get things ready for our trip. The temp was in the thirties so I was intermittently running the furnace or the engine dash heat to warm the coach while getting it ready. Monday morning I closed the FW tank drain and low point drains and filled the FW tank about half full (only intended to use it for toilet flushing this trip). When I tested the pump, I could hear it try to start and the monitor panel pump alarm would sound. I figured there was residual water in the pump when the prior owner winterized it and this had frozen. I cranked up the heat and tried the pump again about an hour later and she fired right up. Bled the air from the faucets and left the pump switched on. After a half hour, the pump hadn't cycled on so no leaks. Fridge had cooled down nicely, everything looked good to go. Loaded up the Audrey and the cat and we hit the road.
First stop, Main Street Fuel and Hardware in Richmond ME where we topped off the propane tank. We then worked our way on back roads down to Newcastle/Damariscotta where we picked up US Route 1 and headed downeast. Stopped for lunch in Camden and then back on the road up the west side of Penobscot Bay. The old girl is purring along nicely. I've noticed that with the 4 speed automatic, the engine doesn't roar nearly as much as with the 5 speed in our Winnebago. In Orland, we passed the intersection with Route 166 where 40 odd years ago I would have turned off for my Alma Mater, Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. Another half hour and we pulled into the Walmart Family Campground in Ellsworth (the real campgrounds in Maine don't usually open till May). As it nearly 5 PM and the sun sets about 5:30, we decide to stay put for the night an head onto the island in the morning. My wife decided to take a nap and I sat and read a bit. About 5:30, I noticed when flushing the toilet, the pump didn't sound right. Slower, kind of weak. I checked the monitor panel, only the bottom light lit for the battery charge. Plugged my voltage tester in the 12v outlet in the cabinet next to the TV. Only 10.7 volts. Houston, we have a problem. After the 4 plus hours on the road, the batteries be near full charge. Clearly the engine isn't charging the house batteries.
Overnight temps are expected to drop to the mid 20s and we clearly don't have enough juice for the furnace. I see four options, (1) start the genny and let it charge the batteries . . . click click . . . oh yeah, the genny starts off the coach batteries. I see 3 options, (1) bundle up in blankets until morning when Audrey can get up start the engine and I can get up when everything's warm and toasty, (2) leave the engine running all night or (3) cut the trip short and return home.
I reviewed our options with the the rest of the crew, making clear my preference for option (1). The cat was totally unconcerned, between her fur coat and the choice of 2 warm bodies to snuggle with, she didn't see a problem. The mission commander however, told me where I could stuff my blankets and ordered me to set course back home.
