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Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. (/showthread.php?tid=3347) Pages: 1 2 |
Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - one_dusty_hoot - 09-05-2006 09:51 One thing you maybe should do before using your coach chargers to prevent further battery damage. You may have an AC component on your DC voltage from a defective charger ruining the batteries. You will need to disconnect the output, measure the DC voltage first, then check for AC as well. A shorted diode in the rectifier bridge or an open filtering capacitor cold be defective. One person, Ernie, reported 35V DC from one charger, bad, bad, for batteries, about the same year as yours. Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "sfedeli3" <sfedeli3@...> wrote: > > Hi John & Adria, > > I don't think that our coaches are designed to be parked for 2-3 > weeks at-a-time without being plugged in. Mine has about an 8 amp > drain from what can only be called "ghost circuits". I installed a > battery disconnect so that I can leave the coach plugged in and use > the old chargers to keep the 12V circuits on while in storage. Over > the winter, I completely de-energize the bus and disconnect the > batteries after fully charging them. > > Prior to getting a smart charger, I used to put the old chargers on > an outdoor "christmas light" style timer that would turn them on for > 2 hours a day. This was enough to top off the batteries without > causing them to gas. IF you are getting rid of the coach, that is > the cheapest solution to your problem and won't cook the new > batteries. Othewise, get an IOTA or Xantrex smart charger that has a > sensor to know when the batteries are charged and turns off > automatically. They run around $400 for a 50 amp model. > > Shane Fedeli > 85PT40 > Hershey, PA > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes" > <mrbeebody@> wrote: > > > > Gang. Please know going into this thing that I'm well aware that > > I'm wordy - but I do so in an effort to be thorough. So please, > grab > > a soda and get comfy. ![]() > > > > I lurk here often and post very little. We are in our 3rd summer > > with our 80 BB 35FC and it has been bitter sweet. The payments > are > > bitter for 12 months a year, and the bus is sweet when we use it > for > > about 12 days a year. ![]() > > > > Anyways, it's getting harder to justify and we have toyed with the > > idea of selling it after this past Labor Day weekend, but it gave > us > > a little "gotcha" when it came time to go home. I don't know if > it > > was "quitting before we could fire it" or what, but I could use > some > > help on the problem if/before we put it on the market. > > > > The problem: I think my battery chargers are hosed. > > > > When we bought the bus, the Trojan batteries had been killed by > the > > PO leaving the fridge set to electrical. We dealt with them not > > holding a charge until last summer when I bought 4 new batteries. > > Even then, it seemed that even though I'd make sure I had > > everythign off - something drained them. I got tired of them > being > > drained when I'd go out for the monthly "start up and run for > awile" > > so I decided to just leave the bus plugged in to my garage. That > > was fine until my new batteries blew up. I replaced those > batteries > > with 4 new ones in June and all seemed well through our trip in > > July. I was told that my 1980 chargers wouldn't trickle charge, > but > > were steady pumpers that over charged the batteries. Lesson > learned. > > > > When we got home from the July trip, I plugged the bus into the > > house again. It took me about 3 weeks to remember, but I unplugged > > the chargers too. On this past Friday I went out to fire the old > > girl up and she was dead. I plugged in the chargers and Saturday > > morning it fired right up. After work on saturday, I went to > start > > it again and it cranked very slowly, then on the last possible > > revolution - she took off and purred like I knew she would and I > > took the bus to the campground where my family already was waiting > > for me with other family members. I plugged into 30 amp shore > power > > with the chargers on until Monday afternoon. When I went to start > > it to leave, it wouldn't even click. I think I had an anurism. > > > > I found that with the chargers plugged in, the volts meter would > > wiggle at 12 until I tried to start it, then it would shake from > pin > > to pin. It was wierd and I couldn't make any sense of it, but > that > > isn't saying much either. About all I have ever learned about > > electricity is that it hurts when I touch it. > > > > I unplugged the charger and removed the 2 batteries that start the > > bus and put each one on an external 6V charger. They both took 4 > > amps for over 2 hours with no improvement. When I removed the > other > > 2 RV batteries so that I could take all 4 in for testing, the > ground > > posts on those two had some deformation and melting, which I knew > > was bad. > > > > I got ANOTHER 4 new batteries, hooked up the 2 that I needed to > make > > it run and it fired right up. We got it home and I un hooked > those > > parallel batteries from one another, the RV ones never did get > > hooked up, and the chargers are also unplugged for now. > > > > It seemed to me and everybody else that the charger that was > > supposed to be charging the batteries was the very thing that was > > screwing everything up. It's the only thing that makes sense to > me, > > but like I said - I don't know much about these things and my pool > > of experience is growing, but still VERY shallow. > > > > Thank you for your time and patience with me thus far. Now that > you > > have that little bit of history, my questions are as follows: > > > > Does this make sense to anybody else or am I on something that the > > chargers are hosed? > > > > Is there a way to check the charging unit that is hard wired into > > the bus without unhooking it all? > > > > If it only makes sense to replace this unit, what are my "best > > value" options? > > > > Does anybody have a used one that's still good that they'd sell? > > > > Thank you very much for your help, > > > > John, Adria, Blase, Kaleigh, Jade, and Gage. > > > Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - one_dusty_hoot - 09-05-2006 10:39 Good Deal Rob!, Where did you get those? Got a smart charger, but could use two of these. Bob Janes --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Rob Robinson" > > Shane I bought my two IOTA 55amp plus two smart chargers for under $500. > With tax I think I paid around $380 > > On 05/09/06, sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@...> wrote: > > > > Hi John & Adria, > > > > I don't think that our coaches are designed to be parked for 2-3 > > weeks at-a-time without being plugged in. Mine has about an 8 amp > > drain from what can only be called "ghost circuits". I installed a > > battery disconnect so that I can leave the coach plugged in and use > > the old chargers to keep the 12V circuits on while in storage. Over > > the winter, I completely de-energize the bus and disconnect the > > batteries after fully charging them. > > > > Prior to getting a smart charger, I used to put the old chargers on > > an outdoor "christmas light" style timer that would turn them on for > > 2 hours a day. This was enough to top off the batteries without > > causing them to gas. IF you are getting rid of the coach, that is > > the cheapest solution to your problem and won't cook the new > > batteries. Othewise, get an IOTA or Xantrex smart charger that has a > > sensor to know when the batteries are charged and turns off > > automatically. They run around $400 for a 50 amp model. > > > > Shane Fedeli > > 85PT40 > > Hershey, PA > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > "Adria Haynes" > > <mrbeebody@> wrote: > > > > > > Gang. Please know going into this thing that I'm well aware that > > > I'm wordy - but I do so in an effort to be thorough. So please, > > grab > > > a soda and get comfy. ![]() > > > > > > I lurk here often and post very little. We are in our 3rd summer > > > with our 80 BB 35FC and it has been bitter sweet. The payments > > are > > > bitter for 12 months a year, and the bus is sweet when we use it > > for > > > about 12 days a year. ![]() > > > > > > Anyways, it's getting harder to justify and we have toyed with the > > > idea of selling it after this past Labor Day weekend, but it gave > > us > > > a little "gotcha" when it came time to go home. I don't know if > > it > > > was "quitting before we could fire it" or what, but I could use > > some > > > help on the problem if/before we put it on the market. > > > > > > The problem: I think my battery chargers are hosed. > > > > > > When we bought the bus, the Trojan batteries had been killed by > > the > > > PO leaving the fridge set to electrical. We dealt with them not > > > holding a charge until last summer when I bought 4 new batteries. > > > Even then, it seemed that even though I'd make sure I had > > > everythign off - something drained them. I got tired of them > > being > > > drained when I'd go out for the monthly "start up and run for > > awile" > > > so I decided to just leave the bus plugged in to my garage. That > > > was fine until my new batteries blew up. I replaced those > > batteries > > > with 4 new ones in June and all seemed well through our trip in > > > July. I was told that my 1980 chargers wouldn't trickle charge, > > but > > > were steady pumpers that over charged the batteries. Lesson > > learned. > > > > > > When we got home from the July trip, I plugged the bus into the > > > house again. It took me about 3 weeks to remember, but I unplugged > > > the chargers too. On this past Friday I went out to fire the old > > > girl up and she was dead. I plugged in the chargers and Saturday > > > morning it fired right up. After work on saturday, I went to > > start > > > it again and it cranked very slowly, then on the last possible > > > revolution - she took off and purred like I knew she would and I > > > took the bus to the campground where my family already was waiting > > > for me with other family members. I plugged into 30 amp shore > > power > > > with the chargers on until Monday afternoon. When I went to start > > > it to leave, it wouldn't even click. I think I had an anurism. > > > > > > I found that with the chargers plugged in, the volts meter would > > > wiggle at 12 until I tried to start it, then it would shake from > > pin > > > to pin. It was wierd and I couldn't make any sense of it, but > > that > > > isn't saying much either. About all I have ever learned about > > > electricity is that it hurts when I touch it. > > > > > > I unplugged the charger and removed the 2 batteries that start the > > > bus and put each one on an external 6V charger. They both took 4 > > > amps for over 2 hours with no improvement. When I removed the > > other > > > 2 RV batteries so that I could take all 4 in for testing, the > > ground > > > posts on those two had some deformation and melting, which I knew > > > was bad. > > > > > > I got ANOTHER 4 new batteries, hooked up the 2 that I needed to > > make > > > it run and it fired right up. We got it home and I un hooked > > those > > > parallel batteries from one another, the RV ones never did get > > > hooked up, and the chargers are also unplugged for now. > > > > > > It seemed to me and everybody else that the charger that was > > > supposed to be charging the batteries was the very thing that was > > > screwing everything up. It's the only thing that makes sense to > > me, > > > but like I said - I don't know much about these things and my pool > > > of experience is growing, but still VERY shallow. > > > > > > Thank you for your time and patience with me thus far. Now that > > you > > > have that little bit of history, my questions are as follows: > > > > > > Does this make sense to anybody else or am I on something that the > > > chargers are hosed? > > > > > > Is there a way to check the charging unit that is hard wired into > > > the bus without unhooking it all? > > > > > > If it only makes sense to replace this unit, what are my "best > > > value" options? > > > > > > Does anybody have a used one that's still good that they'd sell? > > > > > > Thank you very much for your help, > > > > > > John, Adria, Blase, Kaleigh, Jade, and Gage. > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson > 94 WLWB > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - Rob Robinson - 09-05-2006 11:12 Hi Shane I bought my IOTAs from Triangle RV here on Vancouver Island 30 months ago. They were about $150 each and the smart chargers were $40. I thought the smarties were overpriced. On 05/09/06, one_dusty_hoot > > Good Deal Rob!, Where did you get those? > Got a smart charger, but could use two of these. > Bob Janes > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > "Rob Robinson" > > > > > > Shane I bought my two IOTA 55amp plus two smart chargers for under > $500. > > With tax I think I paid around $380 > > > > On 05/09/06, sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@...> wrote: > > > > > > Hi John & Adria, > > > > > > I don't think that our coaches are designed to be parked for 2-3 > > > weeks at-a-time without being plugged in. Mine has about an 8 amp > > > drain from what can only be called "ghost circuits". I installed a > > > battery disconnect so that I can leave the coach plugged in and > use > > > the old chargers to keep the 12V circuits on while in storage. > Over > > > the winter, I completely de-energize the bus and disconnect the > > > batteries after fully charging them. > > > > > > Prior to getting a smart charger, I used to put the old chargers > on > > > an outdoor "christmas light" style timer that would turn them on > for > > > 2 hours a day. This was enough to top off the batteries without > > > causing them to gas. IF you are getting rid of the coach, that is > > > the cheapest solution to your problem and won't cook the new > > > batteries. Othewise, get an IOTA or Xantrex smart charger that > has a > > > sensor to know when the batteries are charged and turns off > > > automatically. They run around $400 for a 50 amp model. > > > > > > Shane Fedeli > > > 85PT40 > > > Hershey, PA > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > "Adria Haynes" > > > <mrbeebody@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Gang. Please know going into this thing that I'm well aware that > > > > I'm wordy - but I do so in an effort to be thorough. So please, > > > grab > > > > a soda and get comfy. ![]() > > > > > > > > I lurk here often and post very little. We are in our 3rd summer > > > > with our 80 BB 35FC and it has been bitter sweet. The payments > > > are > > > > bitter for 12 months a year, and the bus is sweet when we use it > > > for > > > > about 12 days a year. ![]() > > > > > > > > Anyways, it's getting harder to justify and we have toyed with > the > > > > idea of selling it after this past Labor Day weekend, but it > gave > > > us > > > > a little "gotcha" when it came time to go home. I don't know if > > > it > > > > was "quitting before we could fire it" or what, but I could use > > > some > > > > help on the problem if/before we put it on the market. > > > > > > > > The problem: I think my battery chargers are hosed. > > > > > > > > When we bought the bus, the Trojan batteries had been killed by > > > the > > > > PO leaving the fridge set to electrical. We dealt with them not > > > > holding a charge until last summer when I bought 4 new > batteries. > > > > Even then, it seemed that even though I'd make sure I had > > > > everythign off - something drained them. I got tired of them > > > being > > > > drained when I'd go out for the monthly "start up and run for > > > awile" > > > > so I decided to just leave the bus plugged in to my garage. That > > > > was fine until my new batteries blew up. I replaced those > > > batteries > > > > with 4 new ones in June and all seemed well through our trip in > > > > July. I was told that my 1980 chargers wouldn't trickle charge, > > > but > > > > were steady pumpers that over charged the batteries. Lesson > > > learned. > > > > > > > > When we got home from the July trip, I plugged the bus into the > > > > house again. It took me about 3 weeks to remember, but I > unplugged > > > > the chargers too. On this past Friday I went out to fire the old > > > > girl up and she was dead. I plugged in the chargers and Saturday > > > > morning it fired right up. After work on saturday, I went to > > > start > > > > it again and it cranked very slowly, then on the last possible > > > > revolution - she took off and purred like I knew she would and I > > > > took the bus to the campground where my family already was > waiting > > > > for me with other family members. I plugged into 30 amp shore > > > power > > > > with the chargers on until Monday afternoon. When I went to > start > > > > it to leave, it wouldn't even click. I think I had an anurism. > > > > > > > > I found that with the chargers plugged in, the volts meter would > > > > wiggle at 12 until I tried to start it, then it would shake from > > > pin > > > > to pin. It was wierd and I couldn't make any sense of it, but > > > that > > > > isn't saying much either. About all I have ever learned about > > > > electricity is that it hurts when I touch it. > > > > > > > > I unplugged the charger and removed the 2 batteries that start > the > > > > bus and put each one on an external 6V charger. They both took 4 > > > > amps for over 2 hours with no improvement. When I removed the > > > other > > > > 2 RV batteries so that I could take all 4 in for testing, the > > > ground > > > > posts on those two had some deformation and melting, which I > knew > > > > was bad. > > > > > > > > I got ANOTHER 4 new batteries, hooked up the 2 that I needed to > > > make > > > > it run and it fired right up. We got it home and I un hooked > > > those > > > > parallel batteries from one another, the RV ones never did get > > > > hooked up, and the chargers are also unplugged for now. > > > > > > > > It seemed to me and everybody else that the charger that was > > > > supposed to be charging the batteries was the very thing that > was > > > > screwing everything up. It's the only thing that makes sense to > > > me, > > > > but like I said - I don't know much about these things and my > pool > > > > of experience is growing, but still VERY shallow. > > > > > > > > Thank you for your time and patience with me thus far. Now that > > > you > > > > have that little bit of history, my questions are as follows: > > > > > > > > Does this make sense to anybody else or am I on something that > the > > > > chargers are hosed? > > > > > > > > Is there a way to check the charging unit that is hard wired > into > > > > the bus without unhooking it all? > > > > > > > > If it only makes sense to replace this unit, what are my "best > > > > value" options? > > > > > > > > Does anybody have a used one that's still good that they'd sell? > > > > > > > > Thank you very much for your help, > > > > > > > > John, Adria, Blase, Kaleigh, Jade, and Gage. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson > > 94 WLWB > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > -- Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson 94 WLWB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - Chuck Wheeler - 09-05-2006 12:12 The way we use our coach I took a little different approach. I have 3 disconnects. The original one, a second that disconnects the electronics that are not turned off with the original disconnect, and a third that disconnects the chargers from the batteries and the AC from the charger. I added the third after I discovered that the charger monitors draw some current all the time. In the summer I rarely plug the coach in until I bring it home to load. I had to leave the Bird Nebraska when our son had emergency surgery. When I got back to pick it up two months later I just turned on the disconnects and started it up. I'm seven years into these batteries with about two thirds of the use dry camping and our Bird uses the same batteries for starting and house. I believe that part of the life is due to the batteries not sitting on charge all the time. I'm no expert, just what has worked for me. - Chuck Wheeler - 82 FC 31 SB Fort Worth, TX _____ From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of one_dusty_hoot Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 4:39 PM To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. Good Deal Rob!, Where did you get those? Got a smart charger, but could use two of these. Bob Janes --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups.com, "Rob Robinson" > > Shane I bought my two IOTA 55amp plus two smart chargers for under $500. > With tax I think I paid around $380 > > On 05/09/06, sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@...> wrote: > > > > Hi John & Adria, > > > > I don't think that our coaches are designed to be parked for 2-3 > > weeks at-a-time without being plugged in. Mine has about an 8 amp > > drain from what can only be called "ghost circuits". I installed a > > battery disconnect so that I can leave the coach plugged in and use > > the old chargers to keep the 12V circuits on while in storage. Over > > the winter, I completely de-energize the bus and disconnect the > > batteries after fully charging them. > > > > Prior to getting a smart charger, I used to put the old chargers on > > an outdoor "christmas light" style timer that would turn them on for > > 2 hours a day. This was enough to top off the batteries without > > causing them to gas. IF you are getting rid of the coach, that is > > the cheapest solution to your problem and won't cook the new > > batteries. Othewise, get an IOTA or Xantrex smart charger that has a > > sensor to know when the batteries are charged and turns off > > automatically. They run around $400 for a 50 amp model. > > > > Shane Fedeli > > 85PT40 > > Hershey, PA > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups.com > > "Adria Haynes" > > <mrbeebody@> wrote: > > > > > > Gang. Please know going into this thing that I'm well aware that > > > I'm wordy - but I do so in an effort to be thorough. So please, > > grab > > > a soda and get comfy. ![]() > > > > > > I lurk here often and post very little. We are in our 3rd summer > > > with our 80 BB 35FC and it has been bitter sweet. The payments > > are > > > bitter for 12 months a year, and the bus is sweet when we use it > > for > > > about 12 days a year. ![]() > > > > > > Anyways, it's getting harder to justify and we have toyed with the > > > idea of selling it after this past Labor Day weekend, but it gave > > us > > > a little "gotcha" when it came time to go home. I don't know if > > it > > > was "quitting before we could fire it" or what, but I could use > > some > > > help on the problem if/before we put it on the market. > > > > > > The problem: I think my battery chargers are hosed. > > > > > > When we bought the bus, the Trojan batteries had been killed by > > the > > > PO leaving the fridge set to electrical. We dealt with them not > > > holding a charge until last summer when I bought 4 new batteries. > > > Even then, it seemed that even though I'd make sure I had > > > everythign off - something drained them. I got tired of them > > being > > > drained when I'd go out for the monthly "start up and run for > > awile" > > > so I decided to just leave the bus plugged in to my garage. That > > > was fine until my new batteries blew up. I replaced those > > batteries > > > with 4 new ones in June and all seemed well through our trip in > > > July. I was told that my 1980 chargers wouldn't trickle charge, > > but > > > were steady pumpers that over charged the batteries. Lesson > > learned. > > > > > > When we got home from the July trip, I plugged the bus into the > > > house again. It took me about 3 weeks to remember, but I unplugged > > > the chargers too. On this past Friday I went out to fire the old > > > girl up and she was dead. I plugged in the chargers and Saturday > > > morning it fired right up. After work on saturday, I went to > > start > > > it again and it cranked very slowly, then on the last possible > > > revolution - she took off and purred like I knew she would and I > > > took the bus to the campground where my family already was waiting > > > for me with other family members. I plugged into 30 amp shore > > power > > > with the chargers on until Monday afternoon. When I went to start > > > it to leave, it wouldn't even click. I think I had an anurism. > > > > > > I found that with the chargers plugged in, the volts meter would > > > wiggle at 12 until I tried to start it, then it would shake from > > pin > > > to pin. It was wierd and I couldn't make any sense of it, but > > that > > > isn't saying much either. About all I have ever learned about > > > electricity is that it hurts when I touch it. > > > > > > I unplugged the charger and removed the 2 batteries that start the > > > bus and put each one on an external 6V charger. They both took 4 > > > amps for over 2 hours with no improvement. When I removed the > > other > > > 2 RV batteries so that I could take all 4 in for testing, the > > ground > > > posts on those two had some deformation and melting, which I knew > > > was bad. > > > > > > I got ANOTHER 4 new batteries, hooked up the 2 that I needed to > > make > > > it run and it fired right up. We got it home and I un hooked > > those > > > parallel batteries from one another, the RV ones never did get > > > hooked up, and the chargers are also unplugged for now. > > > > > > It seemed to me and everybody else that the charger that was > > > supposed to be charging the batteries was the very thing that was > > > screwing everything up. It's the only thing that makes sense to > > me, > > > but like I said - I don't know much about these things and my pool > > > of experience is growing, but still VERY shallow. > > > > > > Thank you for your time and patience with me thus far. Now that > > you > > > have that little bit of history, my questions are as follows: > > > > > > Does this make sense to anybody else or am I on something that the > > > chargers are hosed? > > > > > > Is there a way to check the charging unit that is hard wired into > > > the bus without unhooking it all? > > > > > > If it only makes sense to replace this unit, what are my "best > > > value" options? > > > > > > Does anybody have a used one that's still good that they'd sell? > > > > > > Thank you very much for your help, > > > > > > John, Adria, Blase, Kaleigh, Jade, and Gage. > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson > 94 WLWB > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - Terry Neal - 09-05-2006 12:21 Shane, there are 5-6 Iota 55 DLS chargers on eBay now. You should be able to buy them for around $135-140 each. My last one was $145 delivered with the smart charger option (New with warranty). Terry Terry Neal Bozeman, MT 82PT40 74FC34 Rob Robinson wrote: > Hi Shane I bought my IOTAs from Triangle RV here on Vancouver Island 30 > months ago. They were about $150 each and the smart chargers were $40. I > thought the smarties were overpriced. > > On 05/09/06, one_dusty_hoot > > > > Good Deal Rob!, Where did you get those? > > Got a smart charger, but could use two of these. > > Bob Janes > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > "Rob Robinson" > > > > > > > > > > Shane I bought my two IOTA 55amp plus two smart chargers for under > > $500. > > > With tax I think I paid around $380 > > > > > > On 05/09/06, sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@...> wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi John & Adria, > > > > > > > > I don't think that our coaches are designed to be parked for 2-3 > > > > weeks at-a-time without being plugged in. Mine has about an 8 amp > > > > drain from what can only be called "ghost circuits". I installed a > > > > battery disconnect so that I can leave the coach plugged in and > > use > > > > the old chargers to keep the 12V circuits on while in storage. > > Over > > > > the winter, I completely de-energize the bus and disconnect the > > > > batteries after fully charging them. > > > > > > > > Prior to getting a smart charger, I used to put the old chargers > > on > > > > an outdoor "christmas light" style timer that would turn them on > > for > > > > 2 hours a day. This was enough to top off the batteries without > > > > causing them to gas. IF you are getting rid of the coach, that is > > > > the cheapest solution to your problem and won't cook the new > > > > batteries. Othewise, get an IOTA or Xantrex smart charger that > > has a > > > > sensor to know when the batteries are charged and turns off > > > > automatically. They run around $400 for a 50 amp model. > > > > > > > > Shane Fedeli > > > > 85PT40 > > > > Hershey, PA > > > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > > > > "Adria Haynes" > > > > <mrbeebody@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Gang. Please know going into this thing that I'm well aware that > > > > > I'm wordy - but I do so in an effort to be thorough. So please, > > > > grab > > > > > a soda and get comfy. ![]() > > > > > > > > > > I lurk here often and post very little. We are in our 3rd summer > > > > > with our 80 BB 35FC and it has been bitter sweet. The payments > > > > are > > > > > bitter for 12 months a year, and the bus is sweet when we use it > > > > for > > > > > about 12 days a year. ![]() > > > > > > > > > > Anyways, it's getting harder to justify and we have toyed with > > the > > > > > idea of selling it after this past Labor Day weekend, but it > > gave > > > > us > > > > > a little "gotcha" when it came time to go home. I don't know if > > > > it > > > > > was "quitting before we could fire it" or what, but I could use > > > > some > > > > > help on the problem if/before we put it on the market. > > > > > > > > > > The problem: I think my battery chargers are hosed. > > > > > > > > > > When we bought the bus, the Trojan batteries had been killed by > > > > the > > > > > PO leaving the fridge set to electrical. We dealt with them not > > > > > holding a charge until last summer when I bought 4 new > > batteries. > > > > > Even then, it seemed that even though I'd make sure I had > > > > > everythign off - something drained them. I got tired of them > > > > being > > > > > drained when I'd go out for the monthly "start up and run for > > > > awile" > > > > > so I decided to just leave the bus plugged in to my garage. That > > > > > was fine until my new batteries blew up. I replaced those > > > > batteries > > > > > with 4 new ones in June and all seemed well through our trip in > > > > > July. I was told that my 1980 chargers wouldn't trickle charge, > > > > but > > > > > were steady pumpers that over charged the batteries. Lesson > > > > learned. > > > > > > > > > > When we got home from the July trip, I plugged the bus into the > > > > > house again. It took me about 3 weeks to remember, but I > > unplugged > > > > > the chargers too. On this past Friday I went out to fire the old > > > > > girl up and she was dead. I plugged in the chargers and Saturday > > > > > morning it fired right up. After work on saturday, I went to > > > > start > > > > > it again and it cranked very slowly, then on the last possible > > > > > revolution - she took off and purred like I knew she would and I > > > > > took the bus to the campground where my family already was > > waiting > > > > > for me with other family members. I plugged into 30 amp shore > > > > power > > > > > with the chargers on until Monday afternoon. When I went to > > start > > > > > it to leave, it wouldn't even click. I think I had an anurism. > > > > > > > > > > I found that with the chargers plugged in, the volts meter would > > > > > wiggle at 12 until I tried to start it, then it would shake from > > > > pin > > > > > to pin. It was wierd and I couldn't make any sense of it, but > > > > that > > > > > isn't saying much either. About all I have ever learned about > > > > > electricity is that it hurts when I touch it. > > > > > > > > > > I unplugged the charger and removed the 2 batteries that start > > the > > > > > bus and put each one on an external 6V charger. They both took 4 > > > > > amps for over 2 hours with no improvement. When I removed the > > > > other > > > > > 2 RV batteries so that I could take all 4 in for testing, the > > > > ground > > > > > posts on those two had some deformation and melting, which I > > knew > > > > > was bad. > > > > > > > > > > I got ANOTHER 4 new batteries, hooked up the 2 that I needed to > > > > make > > > > > it run and it fired right up. We got it home and I un hooked > > > > those > > > > > parallel batteries from one another, the RV ones never did get > > > > > hooked up, and the chargers are also unplugged for now. > > > > > > > > > > It seemed to me and everybody else that the charger that was > > > > > supposed to be charging the batteries was the very thing that > > was > > > > > screwing everything up. It's the only thing that makes sense to > > > > me, > > > > > but like I said - I don't know much about these things and my > > pool > > > > > of experience is growing, but still VERY shallow. > > > > > > > > > > Thank you for your time and patience with me thus far. Now that > > > > you > > > > > have that little bit of history, my questions are as follows: > > > > > > > > > > Does this make sense to anybody else or am I on something that > > the > > > > > chargers are hosed? > > > > > > > > > > Is there a way to check the charging unit that is hard wired > > into > > > > > the bus without unhooking it all? > > > > > > > > > > If it only makes sense to replace this unit, what are my "best > > > > > value" options? > > > > > > > > > > Does anybody have a used one that's still good that they'd sell? > > > > > > > > > > Thank you very much for your help, > > > > > > > > > > John, Adria, Blase, Kaleigh, Jade, and Gage. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson > > > 94 WLWB > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson > 94 WLWB > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - Bruce Morris - 09-05-2006 13:02 Rob, FWIW when I talked to the technical folks about installing two IOTA chargers in the Bear's Den they told me that I could not use two separate charge wizards. They said it can damage the chargers and that they make a single charge wizard that controls two chargers that is made for the two charger configuration. Bruce Morris (919)872-7635 Raleigh, NC Webmaster - WOO (http://www.wanderlodge.us) 1983 WL FC35RB FMCA: 7142s Ham Radio: KI4ME Vietnam Vet - 1966-67 'Doc' (Navy Corpsman) 3rd MarDiv ----- Original Message ----- From: Rob Robinson To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 12:53 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. Orginally I thought you might have changed out the old 'battery boilers' when you said "lesson learned" but maybe not????? If you didn't then I would change them out with something like Truecharge or IOTA. I have two 55A IOTA with two Charge Wizards attached to give me Bulk, Float and Absorbtion cycles. They were cheaper alternatives to the better option a a Truecharge40 On 05/09/06, Adria Haynes <mrbeebody@...> wrote: > > Gang. Please know going into this thing that I'm well aware that > I'm wordy - but I do so in an effort to be thorough. So please, grab > a soda and get comfy. ![]() > > I lurk here often and post very little. We are in our 3rd summer > with our 80 BB 35FC and it has been bitter sweet. The payments are > bitter for 12 months a year, and the bus is sweet when we use it for > about 12 days a year. ![]() > > Anyways, it's getting harder to justify and we have toyed with the > idea of selling it after this past Labor Day weekend, but it gave us > a little "gotcha" when it came time to go home. I don't know if it > was "quitting before we could fire it" or what, but I could use some > help on the problem if/before we put it on the market. > > The problem: I think my battery chargers are hosed. > > When we bought the bus, the Trojan batteries had been killed by the > PO leaving the fridge set to electrical. We dealt with them not > holding a charge until last summer when I bought 4 new batteries. > Even then, it seemed that even though I'd make sure I had > everythign off - something drained them. I got tired of them being > drained when I'd go out for the monthly "start up and run for awile" > so I decided to just leave the bus plugged in to my garage. That > was fine until my new batteries blew up. I replaced those batteries > with 4 new ones in June and all seemed well through our trip in > July. I was told that my 1980 chargers wouldn't trickle charge, but > were steady pumpers that over charged the batteries. Lesson learned. > > When we got home from the July trip, I plugged the bus into the > house again. It took me about 3 weeks to remember, but I unplugged > the chargers too. On this past Friday I went out to fire the old > girl up and she was dead. I plugged in the chargers and Saturday > morning it fired right up. After work on saturday, I went to start > it again and it cranked very slowly, then on the last possible > revolution - she took off and purred like I knew she would and I > took the bus to the campground where my family already was waiting > for me with other family members. I plugged into 30 amp shore power > with the chargers on until Monday afternoon. When I went to start > it to leave, it wouldn't even click. I think I had an anurism. > > I found that with the chargers plugged in, the volts meter would > wiggle at 12 until I tried to start it, then it would shake from pin > to pin. It was wierd and I couldn't make any sense of it, but that > isn't saying much either. About all I have ever learned about > electricity is that it hurts when I touch it. > > I unplugged the charger and removed the 2 batteries that start the > bus and put each one on an external 6V charger. They both took 4 > amps for over 2 hours with no improvement. When I removed the other > 2 RV batteries so that I could take all 4 in for testing, the ground > posts on those two had some deformation and melting, which I knew > was bad. > > I got ANOTHER 4 new batteries, hooked up the 2 that I needed to make > it run and it fired right up. We got it home and I un hooked those > parallel batteries from one another, the RV ones never did get > hooked up, and the chargers are also unplugged for now. > > It seemed to me and everybody else that the charger that was > supposed to be charging the batteries was the very thing that was > screwing everything up. It's the only thing that makes sense to me, > but like I said - I don't know much about these things and my pool > of experience is growing, but still VERY shallow. > > Thank you for your time and patience with me thus far. Now that you > have that little bit of history, my questions are as follows: > > Does this make sense to anybody else or am I on something that the > chargers are hosed? > > Is there a way to check the charging unit that is hard wired into > the bus without unhooking it all? > > If it only makes sense to replace this unit, what are my "best > value" options? > > Does anybody have a used one that's still good that they'd sell? > > Thank you very much for your help, > > John, Adria, Blase, Kaleigh, Jade, and Gage. > > > -- Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson 94 WLWB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - Tom Warner - 09-05-2006 13:32 Bob if there is a phantom drain after the master 12VDC is turned off, then the coach electrical circuits have not been upgraded with a factory modification, by installing an additonal switch in the driver side over head compartment closest to the bathroom on side isle coaches. Tom Warner Vernon Center,NY 1985 PT 40 At 04:56 PM 9/5/2006, you wrote: >Stop=step. I don't think that would happen. > > From your previous post(s) you say you removed the >batteries and they charged, started the engine fine, >then camped, when you tried the starter it would not >start. > >Have you heard of phanton drain? I think this is the >term used. It is a drain on the battery bank with all >switches, even the master, turned off. It is used in >clocks radios, refrigertator, anything that would be >desirable not to reset. This uses 3-6 amps of current >all the time. If you disconnect the posts, just the >posituve, this drain will be eliminated, all you will >have remaining is the internal drain within the battery, >forget that. > >12V is 12v, if you have two 6V batteries in series, >battery A and battery B, you wouid connect a 12 V >Battery from negative charger to negative A, Positive >charger to battery B. If you have a 6 V charger and >6 V batteries connected you will have to charge one at >a time. You have two 6 V batteries in series that are >in parallel with an equal arrangement. 12V ground to >positive out. A high current capacity configuration. > >Sears has a charger, that is reported to be a semi-smart >charger for $60-65. Or, if you have another charger use >it, just don't leave it on all the time, batteries will >boil and be ruined. > >As far as the volt meter going from peg to peg, it could >be one of two things, one would be the momentum of the >needle/pointer, two is the starter is acting as a generator >on a no load portion of the engine rotation. > >If you are thinking of getting around 32K for you coach >because that about what you have in it you may be awakened >when you see what price some of them are selling. Just >recently a nice coach, new paint scheme, was in the midst >of a buy/seel for 20K. > >Chances are if selling is really a desire, you will not >recieve as much as you have in the coach unless you are >fortunate enough, and have enough time to find someone >who wants the coach more that you did. > >These motor homes need care and money even while they are >sitting idle, and, if you have monthly payments too they >can really eat your lunch. You may have to take a loss >selling rather than take a greater loss keeping it. > >Bob Janes, 87FC35, Greenville, SC > > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes" ><mrbeebody@...> wrote: > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot" > > > > > > > > You have a choice, a simple one, seems like you have > > > gone through 5 sets of batteries. Weigh continuing > > > this, battery cost after battery cost against the > > > cost of a new charging system. Add inconvenience too. > > > Why test the charger? Replace, and enjoy your MH. > > > Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC > > > Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - sfedeli3 - 09-05-2006 14:56 Terry, That is an incredibly good price- can they be used in series? If so, put two or three in the coach so that you only have to run the genny for an hour or so to fully charge. The last one that I bought was a Xantrex Truecharge 40+. It ran about $400 at Camping World. -Shane --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Terry Neal > > Shane, there are 5-6 Iota 55 DLS chargers on eBay now. You should be > able to buy them for around $135-140 each. My last one was $145 > delivered with the smart charger option (New with warranty). > Terry > > Terry Neal > Bozeman, MT > 82PT40 > 74FC34 > > > > Rob Robinson wrote: > > > Hi Shane I bought my IOTAs from Triangle RV here on Vancouver Island 30 > > months ago. They were about $150 each and the smart chargers were $40. I > > thought the smarties were overpriced. > > > > On 05/09/06, one_dusty_hoot > > > > > > Good Deal Rob!, Where did you get those? > > > Got a smart charger, but could use two of these. > > > Bob Janes > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > "Rob Robinson" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Shane I bought my two IOTA 55amp plus two smart chargers for under > > > $500. > > > > With tax I think I paid around $380 > > > > > > > > On 05/09/06, sfedeli3 <sfedeli3@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hi John & Adria, > > > > > > > > > > I don't think that our coaches are designed to be parked for 2-3 > > > > > weeks at-a-time without being plugged in. Mine has about an 8 amp > > > > > drain from what can only be called "ghost circuits". I installed a > > > > > battery disconnect so that I can leave the coach plugged in and > > > use > > > > > the old chargers to keep the 12V circuits on while in storage. > > > Over > > > > > the winter, I completely de-energize the bus and disconnect the > > > > > batteries after fully charging them. > > > > > > > > > > Prior to getting a smart charger, I used to put the old chargers > > > on > > > > > an outdoor "christmas light" style timer that would turn them on > > > for > > > > > 2 hours a day. This was enough to top off the batteries without > > > > > causing them to gas. IF you are getting rid of the coach, that is > > > > > the cheapest solution to your problem and won't cook the new > > > > > batteries. Othewise, get an IOTA or Xantrex smart charger that > > > has a > > > > > sensor to know when the batteries are charged and turns off > > > > > automatically. They run around $400 for a 50 amp model. > > > > > > > > > > Shane Fedeli > > > > > 85PT40 > > > > > Hershey, PA > > > > > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Adria Haynes" > > > > > <mrbeebody@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > Gang. Please know going into this thing that I'm well aware that > > > > > > I'm wordy - but I do so in an effort to be thorough. So please, > > > > > grab > > > > > > a soda and get comfy. ![]() > > > > > > > > > > > > I lurk here often and post very little. We are in our 3rd summer > > > > > > with our 80 BB 35FC and it has been bitter sweet. The payments > > > > > are > > > > > > bitter for 12 months a year, and the bus is sweet when we use it > > > > > for > > > > > > about 12 days a year. ![]() > > > > > > > > > > > > Anyways, it's getting harder to justify and we have toyed with > > > the > > > > > > idea of selling it after this past Labor Day weekend, but it > > > gave > > > > > us > > > > > > a little "gotcha" when it came time to go home. I don't know if > > > > > it > > > > > > was "quitting before we could fire it" or what, but I could use > > > > > some > > > > > > help on the problem if/before we put it on the market. > > > > > > > > > > > > The problem: I think my battery chargers are hosed. > > > > > > > > > > > > When we bought the bus, the Trojan batteries had been killed by > > > > > the > > > > > > PO leaving the fridge set to electrical. We dealt with them not > > > > > > holding a charge until last summer when I bought 4 new > > > batteries. > > > > > > Even then, it seemed that even though I'd make sure I had > > > > > > everythign off - something drained them. I got tired of them > > > > > being > > > > > > drained when I'd go out for the monthly "start up and run for > > > > > awile" > > > > > > so I decided to just leave the bus plugged in to my garage. That > > > > > > was fine until my new batteries blew up. I replaced those > > > > > batteries > > > > > > with 4 new ones in June and all seemed well through our trip in > > > > > > July. I was told that my 1980 chargers wouldn't trickle charge, > > > > > but > > > > > > were steady pumpers that over charged the batteries. Lesson > > > > > learned. > > > > > > > > > > > > When we got home from the July trip, I plugged the bus into the > > > > > > house again. It took me about 3 weeks to remember, but I > > > unplugged > > > > > > the chargers too. On this past Friday I went out to fire the old > > > > > > girl up and she was dead. I plugged in the chargers and Saturday > > > > > > morning it fired right up. After work on saturday, I went to > > > > > start > > > > > > it again and it cranked very slowly, then on the last possible > > > > > > revolution - she took off and purred like I knew she would and I > > > > > > took the bus to the campground where my family already was > > > waiting > > > > > > for me with other family members. I plugged into 30 amp shore > > > > > power > > > > > > with the chargers on until Monday afternoon. When I went to > > > start > > > > > > it to leave, it wouldn't even click. I think I had an anurism. > > > > > > > > > > > > I found that with the chargers plugged in, the volts meter would > > > > > > wiggle at 12 until I tried to start it, then it would shake from > > > > > pin > > > > > > to pin. It was wierd and I couldn't make any sense of it, but > > > > > that > > > > > > isn't saying much either. About all I have ever learned about > > > > > > electricity is that it hurts when I touch it. > > > > > > > > > > > > I unplugged the charger and removed the 2 batteries that start > > > the > > > > > > bus and put each one on an external 6V charger. They both took 4 > > > > > > amps for over 2 hours with no improvement. When I removed the > > > > > other > > > > > > 2 RV batteries so that I could take all 4 in for testing, the > > > > > ground > > > > > > posts on those two had some deformation and melting, which I > > > knew > > > > > > was bad. > > > > > > > > > > > > I got ANOTHER 4 new batteries, hooked up the 2 that I needed to > > > > > make > > > > > > it run and it fired right up. We got it home and I un hooked > > > > > those > > > > > > parallel batteries from one another, the RV ones never did get > > > > > > hooked up, and the chargers are also unplugged for now. > > > > > > > > > > > > It seemed to me and everybody else that the charger that was > > > > > > supposed to be charging the batteries was the very thing that > > > was > > > > > > screwing everything up. It's the only thing that makes sense to > > > > > me, > > > > > > but like I said - I don't know much about these things and my > > > pool > > > > > > of experience is growing, but still VERY shallow. > > > > > > > > > > > > Thank you for your time and patience with me thus far. Now that > > > > > you > > > > > > have that little bit of history, my questions are as follows: > > > > > > > > > > > > Does this make sense to anybody else or am I on something that > > > the > > > > > > chargers are hosed? > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a way to check the charging unit that is hard wired > > > into > > > > > > the bus without unhooking it all? > > > > > > > > > > > > If it only makes sense to replace this unit, what are my "best > > > > > > value" options? > > > > > > > > > > > > Does anybody have a used one that's still good that they'd sell? > > > > > > > > > > > > Thank you very much for your help, > > > > > > > > > > > > John, Adria, Blase, Kaleigh, Jade, and Gage. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson > > > > 94 WLWB > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson > > 94 WLWB > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - davidkerryedwards - 09-05-2006 15:35 Where's the master 12v switch? I've never seen one on my 82 FC. There is an aftermarket 12vo (Perko?) cut off switch in the battery compartment which I always turn off when storing the coach. Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner > > Bob if there is a phantom drain after the master 12VDC is turned off, > then the coach electrical circuits have not been upgraded with a > factory modification, by installing an additonal switch in the driver > side over head compartment closest to the bathroom on side isle coaches. > > Tom Warner > Vernon Center,NY > 1985 PT 40 > > At 04:56 PM 9/5/2006, you wrote: > >Stop=step. I don't think that would happen. > > > > From your previous post(s) you say you removed the > >batteries and they charged, started the engine fine, > >then camped, when you tried the starter it would not > >start. > > > >Have you heard of phanton drain? I think this is the > >term used. It is a drain on the battery bank with all > >switches, even the master, turned off. It is used in > >clocks radios, refrigertator, anything that would be > >desirable not to reset. This uses 3-6 amps of current > >all the time. If you disconnect the posts, just the > >posituve, this drain will be eliminated, all you will > >have remaining is the internal drain within the battery, > >forget that. > > > >12V is 12v, if you have two 6V batteries in series, > >battery A and battery B, you wouid connect a 12 V > >Battery from negative charger to negative A, Positive > >charger to battery B. If you have a 6 V charger and > >6 V batteries connected you will have to charge one at > >a time. You have two 6 V batteries in series that are > >in parallel with an equal arrangement. 12V ground to > >positive out. A high current capacity configuration. > > > >Sears has a charger, that is reported to be a semi-smart > >charger for $60-65. Or, if you have another charger use > >it, just don't leave it on all the time, batteries will > >boil and be ruined. > > > >As far as the volt meter going from peg to peg, it could > >be one of two things, one would be the momentum of the > >needle/pointer, two is the starter is acting as a generator > >on a no load portion of the engine rotation. > > > >If you are thinking of getting around 32K for you coach > >because that about what you have in it you may be awakened > >when you see what price some of them are selling. Just > >recently a nice coach, new paint scheme, was in the midst > >of a buy/seel for 20K. > > > >Chances are if selling is really a desire, you will not > >recieve as much as you have in the coach unless you are > >fortunate enough, and have enough time to find someone > >who wants the coach more that you did. > > > >These motor homes need care and money even while they are > >sitting idle, and, if you have monthly payments too they > >can really eat your lunch. You may have to take a loss > >selling rather than take a greater loss keeping it. > > > >Bob Janes, 87FC35, Greenville, SC > > > > > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes" > ><mrbeebody@> wrote: > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "one_dusty_hoot" > > > > > > > > > > > You have a choice, a simple one, seems like you have > > > > gone through 5 sets of batteries. Weigh continuing > > > > this, battery cost after battery cost against the > > > > cost of a new charging system. Add inconvenience too. > > > > Why test the charger? Replace, and enjoy your MH. > > > > Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC > > > > > Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. - Richard Hayden - 09-05-2006 16:29 Tom, What modification is that and is it only for side aisle coaches? Doesn't seem reasonable that it would. Is this a commonly known modification or only for those who boon dock? I'd like to know more. Dick Hayden - '87 PT 38 - Lake Stevens, WA ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Warner To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 6:32 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please. Bob if there is a phantom drain after the master 12VDC is turned off, then the coach electrical circuits have not been upgraded with a factory modification, by installing an additonal switch in the driver side over head compartment closest to the bathroom on side isle coaches. Tom Warner Vernon Center,NY 1985 PT 40 At 04:56 PM 9/5/2006, you wrote: >Stop=step. I don't think that would happen. > > From your previous post(s) you say you removed the >batteries and they charged, started the engine fine, >then camped, when you tried the starter it would not >start. > >Have you heard of phanton drain? I think this is the >term used. It is a drain on the battery bank with all >switches, even the master, turned off. It is used in >clocks radios, refrigertator, anything that would be >desirable not to reset. This uses 3-6 amps of current >all the time. If you disconnect the posts, just the >posituve, this drain will be eliminated, all you will >have remaining is the internal drain within the battery, >forget that. > >12V is 12v, if you have two 6V batteries in series, >battery A and battery B, you wouid connect a 12 V >Battery from negative charger to negative A, Positive >charger to battery B. If you have a 6 V charger and >6 V batteries connected you will have to charge one at >a time. You have two 6 V batteries in series that are >in parallel with an equal arrangement. 12V ground to >positive out. A high current capacity configuration. > >Sears has a charger, that is reported to be a semi-smart >charger for $60-65. Or, if you have another charger use >it, just don't leave it on all the time, batteries will >boil and be ruined. > >As far as the volt meter going from peg to peg, it could >be one of two things, one would be the momentum of the >needle/pointer, two is the starter is acting as a generator >on a no load portion of the engine rotation. > >If you are thinking of getting around 32K for you coach >because that about what you have in it you may be awakened >when you see what price some of them are selling. Just >recently a nice coach, new paint scheme, was in the midst >of a buy/seel for 20K. > >Chances are if selling is really a desire, you will not >recieve as much as you have in the coach unless you are >fortunate enough, and have enough time to find someone >who wants the coach more that you did. > >These motor homes need care and money even while they are >sitting idle, and, if you have monthly payments too they >can really eat your lunch. You may have to take a loss >selling rather than take a greater loss keeping it. > >Bob Janes, 87FC35, Greenville, SC > > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com "Adria Haynes" ><mrbeebody@...> wrote: > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com "one_dusty_hoot" > > > > > > > > You have a choice, a simple one, seems like you have > > > gone through 5 sets of batteries. Weigh continuing > > > this, battery cost after battery cost against the > > > cost of a new charging system. Add inconvenience too. > > > Why test the charger? Replace, and enjoy your MH. > > > Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |