Doca’s XV: Stamford

It's been a while, eh?

First up: After about five years and seven months, my OEM battery tested near end of life. I'll probably be alright for a few months, but I'm looking at an AGM replacement.

Second up: I finally got my cargo light upgrade on track. Just the whites, but the night lights are wired in and currently stored with the spare. The important thing is that they all work.

Not great pics, and I need to do a spring clean, but meh.

Kill switch:

1. Using the OEM light circuit, it cuts power to the white/night light circuits.
2. Glows blue when on (so you can easily find it in the dark).



12VDC/switch insert:

1. 12VDC switched power in the back.
2. The switch selects white/night and has a small blue LED when on night (so you can easily find it in the dark).
3. Relay installed behind this panel.




White lights:

1. When the door is open, they face the cargo area.
2. Installed using spacers to allow them to be turned outward when the door is open; to light a trailer or workspace.

AstroKats said:

Doca! Long time buddy...

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It sure has!

Ran out of things to lookup here, (interesting) user posts were down, in general, and I had nothing to write about.
Next thing I know, I'm retired and the days just blured together.

It is Saturday, right?
Must be, because my weekday morning radio show wasn't on and it can't be Sunday because it's after 9am and my Sunday radio show didn't start

Hope all is well with you, OAK and the kitties.



Thomas (Mr. Fuzzybutt) passed in late July. Just as I promised him many years ago, he was in my arms when it happened.
Treating his diabetes was counter proactive to treating heart disease, and vice-versa, just like his uncle Jack. Also like Jack, he was 14.
We were very closely bonded and I'm still not over it.

Sometimes it feels like he is still here, alongside the other two, Paws (2018) and Schnapps (2011). All three passed here, at home, and I'm not the only one who feels that way.
I'm actually a little anxious about our planned to move this summer. I feel like I/we may be leaving them. Dumb, I know.

Sterling was first confused, then scared. After a couple days he became very sad before becoming more attached to me.
Just as he and I we're getting closer, and a little sooner than I was ready for, we adopted a 6mo old calico, Heidi, to be his new lil' friend.

I named her Heidi because all she did hide under the bed for about a month. She had a rough start to life, before we met her.
She doesn't attack, but she doesn't do well with people, the Mrs. and I included.

She took to Sterling right away. So much so that we called him "the professor". He taught he so much about being a kitty, "mom", "dad" and the house.

She's come a long way with us since a road trip and hotel experience in December, yet she still runs away if you try to touch her,. However, she's one heck of a snuggler in bed.

I still can't bring myself to take Tomtom's bed away, but neither Sterling or Heidi will use it. Heidi sat on it once, but Sterling did not like that and I've never seen it happen again.
Sterling won't go in Tommy's tee-pee, but Heidi does.

Anyway, here's Professor Sterling (of Cambridge, of course) and Mini Moo (cause her spots make me think cow).

Yesterday, Stamford finally got a proper interior detailing. I think it had been a year, or more, since the last full clean.

Being retired, and working from home for the final several months, we don't get out much. When we do, it's usually been a dirty trip.


The new thing is the battery.

I'm torn on which battery to get.
All I know is that the Optima is probably better for my stereo and other minor add-ons, but the OEM lasted nearly 6 years.

The choices:

1. Optima Yellowtop 9040-218 - $387.99 CAD

• CCA 770 @0° C / 620 @-18° C
• 25A, 100 minute reserve capacity
• Amp Hour Capacity (20 Hour) 48

or

2. Motomaster Eliminator AGM - $251.99 CAD

• CCA 755 @ 0° C / 640 @ -18° C
• 25A, 100 minute reserve capacity
• Amp Hour Capacity (20 Hour) 50

AstroKats said:

I went with the Odyssey Extreme after a scare up in the mountains when it was very cold. AGM is definitely the way to go.

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AGM is a certainty.

That Odyssey looks like one heck of a charge.
With a decent price, I'll see if I can find one locally before adding it to the list.

AstroKats said:

He knows. There will be one on your pillow if you really piss him off...

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Nuh-uh, he loves me too much for that.

I do check my shoes, every now and then.
After all, he literally did pee my pants one morning.

Got ready for work, sat on the toilet and he comes in. He saunters in, sits himself in my pants and well.....

I took this picture thinking how cute he was being, because he almost always follows me in and hangs out.
I stood up to find that he really wanted to do what I was doing, with me; awwwwwww



Yes that really happened.

Doca said:

That Odyssey looks like one heck of a charge.
With a decent price, I'll see if I can find one locally before adding it to the list.

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Odyssey no longer lists their Extreme Series Group 35 AGM battery (ODX-AGM35). They now offer their Performance Series Group 35 AGM battery (ODP-AGM35). Apparently, GNB Systems is the Canadian distributor and they are located in Ontario so that should help you in finding the Odyssey locally:

ODP-AGM35

I have personal experience with Odyssey batteries, having used them as a dual battery set-up in an overlanding 4Runner as well as a replacement battery in a M-B G550. I dare say that the Odyssey line of AGM batteries are likely the best out there, along with Johnson Controls. But you will pay a premium for that pedigree.

I would steer clear of Optimas. Back in the early 20-teens, the hardcore off-road crowd were finding that their quality/durability had declined after production was moved to Mexico.

If budget is a determinant, consider that I am still using the same pair of Canadian Tire Motomaster Eliminator AGM batteries in my ex-military, 24V diesel M-B G-wagen after 7 years. It often sits for weeks in sub-zero temps between uses and I haven't ever had any starting issues.

AstroKats said:

I often get flak here for proposing a high end battery. By some of the same folks who want to spend more on fancy filters or window tint...

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I couldn't easily find the Odyssey and yea, @gudentyte, I noticed that they removed the Extreme 35 from US and CAN, but the Odyssey Performance battery is in 35.

I also see that the specs are different between Odyssey US and Odyssey Canada, for the same ODP-AGM35

• ODP-AGM35 - ODYSSEY Battery
• ODP-AGM35 | ODYSSEY® Battery

Ahhh, the 75-76 Elite. That's when cars were cars!


Having read more about Optima, I bailed for thee same reasons and went with the Motomaster.
Better than my OEM that lasted nearly 6 years, but better made and cheaper than Optima.



In other news....

I found rust developing on the body panel weld under the top of the hatch door (not on the door).

It's not a great spot to Dremel and touchup, but will if I have to.
I'm looking for something to remove the rust without damaging the rest of the finish.
Does something like that exist??