The battery might still be perfectly adequate but some connectors might be a little more resistant than they should be due to age/corrosion/dirt.  A good cleaning might make the difference and allow the battery to go on for a while yet.  It takes more juice to push a current through dirty connections.  DMc

---- Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Oh -- one final bit of information that has me pretty convinced the
> problem is the battery: I have a couple "smart"* chargers in the van,
> one for the deep cycle, one for the starter, I power them up when I
> might not be driving for a week or more. If I leave the charger on
> overnight, the starter turns over right quick in the morning.
>
> I'll do as was suggested: have the battery load tested at my local
> friendly Les Schwab tire center.
>
> ============
>
> *They say they're smart but I've never heard they say anything notable.
>
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel
>
>
> On Thu, 2010-09-16 at 03:19 -0700, Rob wrote:
> > Batteries do wear out, 5 yrs is a long time for a car battery. When
> > was the last time you checked the water level (use distilled water)?
> > I have one of those really simple battery hydrometers, it will show
> > me the condition of the acid in the battery cells.
> >
> > Rob
> > becida@comcast.net
> >
> >
> > At  9/15/2010 07:05 PM, Courtney Hook wrote:
> > >Well keep me informed Rocket man, because I have the exact same syptoms in
> > >my 77 Bay, and I'm wondering if it's the battery. Like you, I've got all new
> > >wiring and cleaned connections re; ground straps etc. Last thing I can
> > >figger is either battery or starter itself.
> > >Courtney
> > >
> > >++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> > >Always be yourself, because the people that matter don't mind,
> > >and the ones who mind, don't matter.
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
> > >To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > >Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 6:38 PM
> > >Subject: Starter: it's one or another
> > >
> > >
> > >>On our recent trip, I noticed that Mellow Yellow's starter had quite a
> > >>bit of hesitation when the engine was warm. Turning the key would result
> > >>in a single "chug," then a pause, then "chug, chug, chug" and the engine
> > >>would start.
> > >>
> > >>This is not new, it's been going on for a couple years at least, and
> > >>it's getting worse.
> > >>
> > >>Two possibilities come to mind: high resistance in the starter motor
> > >>main current path, or weak starter battery.
> > >>
> > >>I am in agreement with David Beierl that fat copper cables don't "wear
> > >>out" or develop high resistances due to age. Without damage to the
> > >>insulation, the copper will be fine. The transmission's ground strap was
> > >>just re-tightened when the transmission was pulled and replaced.
> > >>
> > >>Besides -- should a warm engine be easier, not harder, to turn over?
> > >>
> > >>I lean toward the theory that the starter battery is getting long in the
> > >>tooth. Those things do wear out.
> > >>
> > >>Unless someone talks me down, I'm just going to go out and buy a
> > >>replacement.
> > >>
> > >>--

--
David McNeely