Thanks Loren, and all:

Ended up going to LeSchwab. Perhaps the more expensive solution, but
my time is worth something too. Plus their locations across the
hinterlands of the PNW and their guarantee seemed attractive.

Ended up replacing both batteries with Group 41s as Loren recommended.
The original cranking battery was 8 years old so no question on
replacing that one. The other was only delivering 2 volts after a full
charge so we replaced it as well.

I'll try to make the Fishermen's Bend get-together as I have many more
questions about my Westy and they need to be prioritized.

Thomas

On Apr 4, 2009, at 10:32AM, Loren Busch wrote:

> On Sat, Apr 4, 2009 at 10:16 AM, Thomas Kitts <thokitts@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> Have called LeSchwab to get prices to test the batteries, to check
> for a line draw, and cost to replace both batteries if needed. $220
> to do it all with group 41 batteries (650 cold cranking + 84 month
> battery life and I assume LeSchwab anywhere replacement in the PNW.)
>
> WalMart has two group 41s I can buy off the shelf and install myself
> for $65 (650 cold cranking power + 24 month guarantee) but no check
> for unknown line draw or confirmation that the existing batteries
> are in fact dead.
>
> What would you do? I'm leaning towards LeSchwab . . .
>
> Apples and oranges problem.  I have the equipment (a good charger
> and a good multimeter) to probably check out the battery myself
> although I don't have the equipment to do a load check.  I could
> also check for a parasitic load with everything turned off to see if
> that was pulling the battery down over time.  If you need someone
> else to do that then a good shop is needed.  Walmart will do the
> install for you at the time you buy the battery as I'm sure Schwab
> will but apparently Schwab will also check the battery.  But sounds
> like a lot of money at Schwab.
>
>
>