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Coach Batts overcharging - freewill2008 - 11-22-2010 07:39

Agree completely about meters. Over years damage to the meter, wiring, and
terminals can happen. When a meter gives unexpected readings, verify the values
with another instrument and then proceed with looking for the reason.

Checking the shunt was the quick way to suggest looking at the physical
condition of the end terminals, cables, insulation, etc. As mentioned earlier,
the shunt bar itself is unlikely to fail.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, GARY MINKER wrote:
>
> Most shunts are ten millivolts (.1V) at rated current. The wiring to the
meter is likely messed up or the meteris bad. Shunts are just calibrated
shorts that actually have a use.
> gary
> 85pt40
>
> --- On Mon, 11/22/10, freewill2008 wrote:
>
> From: freewill2008
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coach Batts overcharging
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, November 22, 2010, 12:47 PM
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> Gary - That is exactly what I would think, but I have a bum shunt that
gives bad readings at the meter and does not pass current reliably. Hard to
visually inspect this one and I have not removed it to find out. Possibly there
has been physical damage at one of the end terminals. For now it is bypassed.
>
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> Agree 300% about the meter!
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> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII
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> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, GARY MINKER wrote:
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> > The likelyhood of a milled copper and brass shunt failing are near a
negative number unless you run 300% current through it and melt the solder
joints. The wire crimps, and hardware are more likely problems. If you
need to measure DC in a line or branch, get one of these less than $100 DC clamp
on ammeters. They tell you the current and the direction of flow. Don't
leave home without one.
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> > gary
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> > 85pt40
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> >
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> > --- On Sat, 11/20/10, freewill2008 wrote:
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> > From: freewill2008
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> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coach Batts overcharging
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> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
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> > Date: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 1:14 PM
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> > Fred - In that case the instruments could be giving you a faulty
reading. The ammeter uses a shunt which could have failed. That might lead to
a faulty voltage reading as well.
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> > Another possiblity is a relay (solenoid) failure that is causing the
charging system to max out, although I would expect that to show up on both
house and engine systems. This leads to the controls mentioned in the other
reply, so that is a good place to start. In any case check the shunt on that
house ammeter so you know the reading is accurate.
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> > Good luck with it.
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> > Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
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> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:
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> > > Hi Bob
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> > > I have only one 300 amp alternator and have tested the regulator with
another it's ok
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> > > Thanks.
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> > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse
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> > > Morristown,Arizona
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Coach Batts overcharging - Ron Thompson - 11-22-2010 11:50

A shunt is necessary because the sensitive meter movement could not handle the full current flow from the current source. If you have a full scale meter movement then two things could be happening. Either the shunt has been compromised somehow or your power source has suddenly increased in output or your regulator is malfunctioning. It should be fairly easy to determine where the problem is. It is doubful that the shunt is bad unless it is a resistor of low power rating. If it is a metal shunt then most likely it is ok. JUst a thought. My own opinion after listening to the banter going back and forth that your 'Regulator is malfunctioning.

Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx.

1995 WLWB 42'

(cockyfox@...)

--- On Mon, 11/22/10, freewill2008 wrote:
From: freewill2008
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coach Batts overcharging
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 22, 2010, 11:47 AM




Gary - That is exactly what I would think, but I have a bum shunt that gives bad readings at the meter and does not pass current reliably. Hard to visually inspect this one and I have not removed it to find out. Possibly there has been physical damage at one of the end terminals. For now it is bypassed.



Agree 300% about the meter!



Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, GARY MINKER wrote:

>

> The likelyhood of a milled copper and brass shunt failing are near a negative number unless you run 300% current through it and melt the solder joints. The wire crimps, and hardware are more likely problems. If you need to measure DC in a line or branch, get one of these less than $100 DC clamp on ammeters. They tell you the current and the direction of flow. Don't leave home without one.

> gary

> 85pt40

>

> --- On Sat, 11/20/10, freewill2008 wrote:

>

> From: freewill2008

> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coach Batts overcharging

> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

> Date: Saturday, November 20, 2010, 1:14 PM

>

>

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> Â

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> Fred - In that case the instruments could be giving you a faulty reading. The ammeter uses a shunt which could have failed. That might lead to a faulty voltage reading as well.

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>

> Another possiblity is a relay (solenoid) failure that is causing the charging system to max out, although I would expect that to show up on both house and engine systems. This leads to the controls mentioned in the other reply, so that is a good place to start. In any case check the shunt on that house ammeter so you know the reading is accurate.

>

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> Good luck with it.

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>

> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

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>

> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:

>

> >

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> > Hi Bob

>

> > I have only one 300 amp alternator and have tested the regulator with another it's ok

>

> > Thanks.

>

> > Fred & Jeanne Hulse

>

> > Morristown,Arizona

>

> > 97 WLWB41

>

> >

>





Coach Batts overcharging - Fred Hulse - 11-22-2010 12:40


Guys
I wish it was as simple as Voltage regulator,unfortunately I have a new OE Delco Remy Reulator and have installed it and the overcharging of the house batteries continues and it appears the chassis batteries are not getting any charging at all.
I really appreciate your input and please continue, meanwhile I will forge ahead and change the charging solenoid.
I am checking the chassis batteries now also.
Thank you once again.
Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41


Coach Batts overcharging - Ernie Ekberg - 11-22-2010 12:45

Fred, ? Bim bought me a digital readout and it plugs in to the cigarette lighteroutlet. Very nice- red lite, can see it in dark without me glassesİmageI thought my gauge was off.


Ernie Ekberg
83 PT40
Weatherford, Tx 76086
817-475-3991

--- On Mon, 11/22/10, Fred Hulse wrote:

From: Fred Hulse
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coach Batts overcharging
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, November 22, 2010, 6:40 PM



Guys
I wish it was as simple as Voltage regulator,unfortunately I have a new OE Delco Remy Reulator and have installed it and the overcharging of the house batteries continues and it appears the chassis batteries are not getting any charging at all.
I really appreciate your input and please continue, meanwhile I will forge ahead and change the charging solenoid.
I am checking the chassis batteries now also.
Thank you once again.
Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41


Coach Batts overcharging - Fred Hulse - 11-22-2010 13:15


Ernie
Its a voltmeter??
Do you know where he got it?
Well I guess I could ask him.
Duh...............lots of that lately
Fred


Coach Batts overcharging - Ralph - 11-22-2010 13:36


Hi Fred:
Have been following the thread off and on and you have had some very good thoughts. So am going to recap just a little. 300 Amp Alt is showing full amperage at present trying to gain a full charge on all Batts? And I missed what the 2 inverter\chargers are doing.
The auto regulator for the Alt is new? And you suspect the charging relay which is the battery tie or is it the isolater?
Did I miss something above?

Safe travels, Ralph Charolette Fullenwider
'84 FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

From: "Fred Hulse"
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:40:45 -0700
To:
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coach Batts overcharging
Guys
I wish it was as simple as Voltage regulator,unfortunately I have a new OE Delco Remy Reulator and have installed it and the overcharging of the house batteries continues and it appears the chassis batteries are not getting any charging at all.
I really appreciate your input and please continue, meanwhile I will forge ahead and change the charging solenoid.
I am checking the chassis batteries now also.
Thank you once again.
Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41


Coach Batts overcharging - Fred Hulse - 11-22-2010 13:40


Hi Gary,
I am always looking for a reason to buy new equipment.......................
Do you have a recommendation for this $100.00 clamp on ammeter.
I always am cautious about testers because of the vast array of quality and countries of origin.
Thanks for your ideas.
Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41


Coach Batts overcharging - Fred Hulse - 11-22-2010 13:58


Hi there Ralph,
The coach is fine at all times with shore or gen power.
Now when I start the motor the coach voltmeter in the dash nearly pegs to maximum = 20v or so
at the same time the coach ammeter nearly pegs to maximum= 300 amps or so.
both chassis amp and chassis voltmeter are still, no movement if very little.
Haven't regarded the inverters at all.
I have a new Delco voltage regulator and installed it with no results (same conditions).
The solenoid I am focusing on is at the right rear firewall in the engine compartment next to the big round battery selector dial type switch. I think the wiring diagram is referring to this solenoid as auxillary charge solenoid.
I can not find an isolator.
Thanks for your questions.
Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41


Coach Batts overcharging - Ralph - 11-22-2010 14:18


That is correct on the solenoid if it is located high center on the curb side fire wall above the fused 4\0 cables. That solenoid is picked by the selector switch on the dash aux batt on the lower right side of the dash. Is your switch momentary press to the right with center charge and if the switch is pressed to the full left the chassis batts and house batts both charge?

Now then with that said I think you have a two fold problem. I agree the solenoid needs to be checked and perhaps replaced, it does get hot to the touch and that is normal for that one. But since the shore power and gen set gives you a charge that leaves that solenoid as being good to my mind.

Real problem seems to be that HUGE oil bath Alt and regulator. Ok the regulator is new but that does not make it good and if the Alt is an internal run away, that alone can make toast out of the regulator since it can not handle the amperage load placed on it. Have you had the Alt bench tested? Sure seems like it is a run away. The voltage should be 14.1 to shy of 15 at the out put going to the regulator which regulates to 14.1 steady no matter the rotational speed of the Alt. Just some thoughts

Safe travels, Ralph Charolette Fullenwider
'84 FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

From: "Fred Hulse"
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:58:01 -0700
To:
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Coach Batts overcharging
Hi there Ralph,
The coach is fine at all times with shore or gen power.
Now when I start the motor the coach voltmeter in the dash nearly pegs to maximum = 20v or so
at the same time the coach ammeter nearly pegs to maximum= 300 amps or so.
both chassis amp and chassis voltmeter are still, no movement if very little.
Haven't regarded the inverters at all.
I have a new Delco voltage regulator and installed it with no results (same conditions).
The solenoid I am focusing on is at the right rear firewall in the engine compartment next to the big round battery selector dial type switch. I think the wiring diagram is referring to this solenoid as auxillary charge solenoid.
I can not find an isolator.
Thanks for your questions.
Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown,Arizona
97 WLWB41


Coach Batts overcharging - Fred Hulse - 11-22-2010 15:01


Ralph,
The switch on the dash is 3 position
left is charge
center is normal
right is jump
I think cause now that all might be messed up.
Now when the motor is running the little on lamp next to the switch is lit regardless telling me that all batteries are being charged by the alt.
Solenoid does not get warm, hot or tepid.
I will check out the alternator tomorrow,there is aHeavyDuty Delcoalternator guy in Phoenix that the NAPA store knows of and I will find him.
Thanks so much for your help
Fred