Thanks Sparky!

Also, my Dad says my Barth has 3 batteries, 2 small and one large that need to be replaced. Do these normally have 3 batteries? I guess the big one is for the engine and the other two are boosters (also for the engine if you push the button while starting it up) for other stuff to operate if you're nit plugged in somewhere and the generator is not on. Can anyone recommend which batteries I should get and how much they cost?

Thanks!

Ken

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Pell, Jr.:
Barth Faithful. Need your advice again! I need to replace the batteries on my '84 Barth Regal. Can you tell me what type, size and recommed a reliable manufacturer? Your assistance is MOST appreciated.

Ken

If you are going to dry camp, I would recommend a pair of 6 volt golf cart batteries for the coach. We are on year 8 or 9 of a pair of Trojans. They still test very well. Trojans are getting too far above the market, though, so Costco or Sams house brand batteries might be a better value. check your vertical clearance. GC2s are a little taller than 12 volters, But Trojans are a trifle lower than others, if fractions count. I cut the posts down and use the pinch bolt to connect the cable.

If you decide against golf cart batts, be sure to buy 12 volters that are true deep cycle. If you have any friends with trolling motors, take their advice. Generally, if a battery quotes CCAs, it is less likely to be a true deep cycle battery. 8Ds are an exception. I no longer use 8Ds due to an aging back and limited availability in some places.

As for the starting battery, buy the most CCAs for the money and the best warranty that fits.

Thanks Bill! I'll research it the Trojan Golf Cart Batteries and a good Battery for the engine. Your help is MUCH appreciated!

OK Bill, I'm tracking with you on the 12 volt CCAs for the engine battery. For that, I'm looking at a Trojan 31-AGM with 720 CCAs which looks to be about the right size. Now, for the other power requirements in the Barth (mine is an '84 Regal 28 footer), do I need 1 twelve volt deep cycle or two 6 volt deep cycles? What's the difference? Right now with the three old batteries to replace, I'm assuming that I need two 6 volts. Anything in the specs, besides the deep cycle I should be looking for to get the longest life out of 'em? Also, Trojan makes several 6 volt deep cycle RV batteries. How are the golf cart versions different?

The six volt batteries have three cells (as evidenced by the number of holes to add water); the 12V batteries have six.

You will want 2 batteries regardless of which type you select.

Most likely you have 2x12V. You might have to ask the dealer about the differences between the 6V RV batteries and those for golf carts, but I'd suspect the height of the RV battery is less than the golf cart (and the capacity of the RV batt is probably slightly less). I had to modifiy the holddowns for the taller golf cart batteries in my Barth.

Keep in mind that if the existing batteries are 12V, you'll have to change the wiring slightly to use 6V ones.

If your refigerator is toast, head up to Forest City Iowa to the Winnebago surplus store. They usually have a number of dented(?) units for far less than you will probably find elsewhere. You can call first and they will tell you what they have.

Thanks for the tip Gary! Once I get the 12 volt vs 6 volt battery bit figured out and get it mechanically roadworthy, I'll have to check them out, as well as continue to post a bazillion more questions concerning interior restoration and every other internal/external system. More to follow...

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Pell, Jr.:
OK Bill, I'm tracking with you on the 12 volt CCAs for the engine battery. For that, I'm looking at a Trojan 31-AGM with 720 CCAs which looks to be about the right size.

I would not spend the extra money for a Trojan starting battery.

quote:

Now, for the other power requirements in the Barth (mine is an '84 Regal 28 footer), do I need 1 twelve volt deep cycle or two 6 volt deep cycles? What's the difference? Right now with the three old batteries to replace, I'm assuming that I need two 6 volts. Anything in the specs, besides the deep cycle I should be looking for to get the longest life out of 'em? Also, Trojan makes several 6 volt deep cycle RV batteries. How are the golf cart versions different?

Trojan's T105s will last the longest number of years. T125s will last longer overnight, and are the same size. T145s are taller. AGMs do not gas or get messy, but cost more and have a lower amp capacity. They last quite a long time, and can be charged at very high rates if you have a big charger. This saves you generator fuel and makes less noise.

If you do not dry camp, all you need is one 12 volt deep cycle battery for the few moments you are not plugged in.

Hi Everyone!!
Time for a Barth adventure update and a few more questions. When I last checked in, I had just finished paying for a mechanical update and tuning, to the final cost of $5,700. This included all new tires, belts, hoses, spark plug wires, batteries, etc., exhaust manifold and air conditioner compressor. I was also looking for advice on a new fridge and awing.
I flew back in June to get the Barth in Iowa to drive it back to Colorado. Along the way, I had to stop for a new fridge, new kitchen and bathroom sink faucets replaced (both were leaking) and was also notified that my propane tank leaked at the regulator and both had to be replaced. Without replacing the propane tank/regulator but a new fridge installed and all systems checked for function, add $1,600 more.
On the way back, I unfortunately discovered that my original coolant overflow reservoir container had cracked, and add to that a defective radiator cap, my beloved Regal overheated outside Omaha. Luckily I was able to limp to a campground for an overnight stay until I could be towed in for repairs in Lincoln (towing courtesy of AAA) by the largest tow truck I have ever seen. While at the campground and during an all night monsoon rain, I discovered that both roof vents AND the windshield were leaking.
The tow into lincoln was free but the fix for replacement of the the overflow container (off of a late model Cadillac) and a new radiator cap, plus labor, added another $260 to the tally. I also realized (after clarification from my Dad) that the full fuel tank in the back had 40 gallons of 2-4 year old gas. No wonder it ran like crap until I switched back the front tank and used it exclusively all the way back to the Springs. BTW, it was running and handling GREAT by now, with the exception of no dash lights. Kinda dicey in the dark.
Back to the Springs and replacement of the cracked windshields, propane tank/regulator, both front mirror glasses, repair corroded metal behind the winshield glasses, wiring of dash lights AND repaint the peeling upper front and rear top curved panels, the final financial damage rolled in at another $5,600 with a grand total (drum roll please) of about $13,160, not including the $1,000 in plane tickets it cost to fly out to get it repaired and drive it back.
OK, after all that, it looks, performs and drives GREAT! Sadly, my father passed away this month before he could ever ride in the new and upgraded version of the beloved Barth that he gave to me. Therefore, I do plan to keep it and camp with it as a rolling memorial to him (even though he referred to it in the addendum to the Will as "that P.O.S. Barth",abbreviation not used).
So after that ramble, here are my three questions:

- First, how do you get rid of 40 gallons of old gas? I'm afraid that even with additives and octane boosters, the water in the fuel will damage the carburetor if I try to run it all out. Is there a fuel recycle program out there I can use?

- Second, is there anyone out there that does frame-off Barth restorations? I figure after all the other stuff I have done, even with a full restoration, it would be cheaper than buying a new one of similar size.

- Finally, can anyone recommend a good roof sealant for the entire top of the roof. The vents and windshield have been sealed but the roof probably hasn't been recovered in years.

I promise I'll post pictures once I get the inside carpets, couch and chairs shampooed and the interior curtains go back up and the inside is fully cleaned, again. What an adventure it's already been and I've only camped in it twice!

Any assistance/guidance/empathy/advice would be most appreciated. Stay safe...

Ken

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Pell, Jr.:

I flew back in June to get the Barth in Iowa

Where in Iowa, if I may ask? Sorta grew up there.

quote:

How do you get rid of 40 gallons of old gas?

Do you have an electric pump back there? If you are not sure, Turn on the ignition and listen back there. By Barth was not factory wired for an oil pressure cut out, so it runs anytime the ignition is on. If you do not hear a pump with just the key on, start it up and go back and see if you can hear it whirring.

Anyway, if you have an electric pump, you can use it to pump the fuel into containers. Otherwise, its Siphon City. I keep old gas around for cleaning purposes.

quote:

- Finally, can anyone recommend a good roof sealant for the entire top of the roof. The vents and windshield have been sealed but the roof probably hasn't been recovered in years.

My favorite is Liquid Roof, aka Liquid Rubber. I found it was the only thing that cured the notorious Fleetwood roof to front(and rear) cap leaks. I use it for edges and holes, etc, but use Kool Coat on the large expanses that have no particular issues. Others here have used it, too, so give it a search.

quote:

I promise I'll post pictures once I get the inside carpets, ................

Never mind the carpet pictures. How about some Indian pictures? Susan loves Indian Fours, particularly the early thirties (rightside up) models. It seems that Barthers appreciate fine machinery in general. We used to have a Vincent owner here, too. My only V twin at the moment is a Bevel 900SS. Have you ever seen an Husqvarna GP V twin from the thirties? Saw one last week. My dream bike for 30 years. Even saw two Crockers. Oh Oh.........thread drift.

- I grew up in Clinton, Iowa on the far east side of Iowa. The Mississippi river was 6 blocks from my house.

- I'm not so much worried about HOW to get the gas out of the tank as I am with WHERE to put it after it's out. I'm not sure I have enough solvent uses, even with 4 bikes, to use 40 gallons of old gas. I was kind of hoping for a dumping site similar to old oil and batteries, if such a service exists.

- Send me an e-mail address and I can send you a pic of my Indians. The file is too big to post here.

Good luck with your Barth and finding your dream bike.

Ken

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Pell, Jr.:
- I grew up in Clinton, Iowa on the far east side of Iowa. The Mississippi river was 6 blocks from my house.

We were pretty close to the Sioux river, on the other side of the state.

quote:

I was kind of hoping for a dumping site similar to old oil and batteries, if such a service exists.

Oh. Is there a state authority that deals with that? Here, in CA, they really don't want gasoline in the aquifer, so we have numbers to call. If I end up with old gas, I put in containers, let them sit, then suck out almost all of it, leaving the bad stuff on the bottom. If I have more than I need for cleaning, I introduce it into often-driven vehicles a little at a time. So far, so good, but the vehicle that is the least fussy is a TBI 454, as it has big injector orifices, as compared to vehicles with smaller nozzles. I would not use old gas in any vehicle that sits for any time.

Maybe Rusty will add to this.

If the Barth has sat, consider a good fuel system cleaner. I like Red Line, but folks I listen to also like SeaFoam.

quote:

I'm not sure I have enough solvent uses, even with 4 bikes, to use 40 gallons of old gas.

Your vehicles must be cleaner than mine. I keep old gas and an air-driven solvent sprayer around for engine cleanup. Old gas also mixes well with Gunk SC, if you can find it. I apply the mix with a Hudson sprayer and then water washes it off really well. Even works on driveway spills, etc.

FWIW, many years ago I bought an old boat with 2-60 gal. tanks. The seller informed me that, though the starboard tank was nearly full, he hadn't used in in all the years he owned it because it wouldn't feed. I blew out the feed line backwards, & tried to run the engine on the old gas. It didn't work. I plumbed in a new filter on the unused tank, & ran the engine off both tanks with no problems until all the old gas was gone.

Of course, that was a 1940s era Chrysler Crown, with maybe an 8 to 1 compression ratio.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll try my luck at the Colorado State Environmental Protection Division to locate a gasoline recycle facility for disposal of my 40 gallons of old gas.

Got at least one lead on what product to use when resurfacing the roof.

Still waitin' for a recommended company out there that can do a frame-off restoration on my Barth.

Keep the comments coming. You folks are great!

Ken