Battery charger electrical advice and help needed - please.

[one_dusty_hoot]

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.
> >
>

[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"
wrote:
>
> 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 40yahoogroups.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 Robinson]

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 wrote:
>
> 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"
>
> wrote:
> >
> > 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
> > 40yahoogroups.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]

[Chuck Wheeler]

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"
wrote:
>
> 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 40yahoogroups.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]

[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 > > wrote:
> >
> > 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"
> >
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > 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
>

> > > > 40yahoogroups.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]

[Bruce Morris]

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]

[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"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > 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
> > >

[sfedeli3]

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 wrote:
>
> 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 > > > wrote:
> > >
> > > Good Deal Rob!, Where did you get those?
> > > Got a smart charger, but could use two of these.
> > > Bob Janes
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > 40yahoogroups.com>,
> > > "Rob Robinson"
> > >
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > 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
> > 40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > > 40yahoogroups.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]
>

[davidkerryedwards]

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 wrote:
>
> 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"
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > 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
> > > >
>

[Richard Hayden]

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"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > 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]