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12-18-2007, 15:59

On 12/18/07, Wilhelmus Schreurs wrote:
>
> Ryan:
> 1500 amp alternator?? are you sure.
> That would be huge, how would that fit inside the engine compartment?

Hah! I'm an idiot. I remembered wrong. I did some searching to find
whose coach I was thinking of. Turns out it's Jay Darst's, and I mixed
up amps and dollars in my poor excuse for a memory. It was a $1500,
320 amp alternator, not 1500 amps. I was right about remembering it
being hideously expensive, though.

From Jay's post earlier this year:

> we installed a $1,500 320amp alternator which provides sufficient
> power to the inverter to run an a/c unit.

OK, so yes, this is making more sense to me (and probably everyone else) now.

I still think Dorn would be money ahead to fix his genset. Going down
this road the numbers look like $1500 for an alternator, couple grand
worth of batteries, another grand worth of inverter, more for cables
and connectors to tie all that power together... Aren't we approaching
the price of a new Onan now?

-Ryan, going senile wayyyy too early.
'86 PT-40 8V92 (I think...)

12-18-2007, 16:10

FYI

In my 85 PT40, is a Leece-NeVille 320amp alternator.

That is the biggest I could find in a 12volt alt.

Makes plenty of power to run an inverter powered A/C while running
down the road.

Incidentally, I have run 1 roof air with the inverter WITHOUT the
Detroit running. Run it while at a lunch stop or loading and
unloading.

I have 6 6volt trojan T105s. Thats 660 amp hour capacity of which you
can safely use about 50% when sucking on them with a big draw like
A/C. The roof airs start at about 19 amps and then operate at about
12.5 amps.

That means that 12.5 amps(@110V) x 110 = 1,375 watts
but then inverters typically are around 92% efficient so
1,375 divided by 93% = 1,478 watts so
1,475 divied by 12.5Volts = 118 amp draw at 12.5volts so
if the A/C runs at 100% duty cycle, you should be able to run the A/C
for 2.8 hours.

There are some other factors that will/could cause less run time, has
to do with a high amp draw with no break in the action. Prawlly
internal battery temps and other misc stuff.

You won't start the coach on that battery bank after 2.8 hours. Ya
might start it after an hour if temps are above 70 degrees, which
probably would be, since you're running A/C.

Ramble ramble ramble

2 cents... ;~}

Jay Darst
85PT40 with Xantrex 2,500 watt Inverter/Charger and 320amp alt
'91 Prevost Royale 40XL with a 24V 280amp alt using Vanner
electronics to step down to 12V
'00 Prevost Royale H345 with 2 alternators 1-12v140amp and 1-24v
monster oil cooled, etc
Springfield/Sullivan, IL

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Wilhelmus Schreurs
wrote:
>
> Dorn:
> Let us know what alternator you might settle on. I am thinking of
upgrading as well, escpecially with the electric brake drawing the
current like it does.
>
> Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
> Terrace, B.C. Canada
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Dorn Hetzel
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:31:07 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yep, my engine run A/C doesn't run right now, but it's
on my short list to
>
> repair, just putting it off until spring since I sure don't need AC
now Smile

>
>
>
> I'm looking at something like a Xantrex RS3000 and about 300 amps of
>
> alternator capacity. That should run at least one of the AC units
while
>
> driving I would hope.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Dorn Hetzel
>
> 77FC35
>
> Hogansville, GA
>
>
>
> On Dec 18, 2007 2:45 PM, Jon wrote:
>
>
>
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com 40yahoogroups. com>,
>
> > "Dorn Hetzel"
>
> > wrote:
>
> > >
>
> > > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed
up
>
> > flywheel,
>
> > > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
>
> > doesn't run for
>
> > > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it
seems))
>
> > >
>
> > > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where
it
>
> > used to be
>
> > > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
>
> > >
>
> > > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
>
> > lot of Amp
>
> > > Hours.
>
> > >
>
> > > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get
my
>
> > hands on
>
> > > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
>
> > >
>
> > > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
>
> > conditioning, or
>
> > > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with
the
>
> > air
>
> > > running Smile

>
> > >
>
> > > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
>
> > >
>
> > > Regards,
>
> > >
>
> > > Dorn Hetzel
>
> > > 77FC35
>
> > > Hogansville, GA
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> >
>
> > Without saying to much I would stick with some type of generator.
If
>
> > your coach is typical for being a vintage Wanderlodge than your
>
> > Engine run A/C does not operate. Now I know most of the people
here
>
> > use there generator to run there topside A/C unit in hot weather
when
>
> > there dash air is not operational. These old coaches can get
pretty
>
> > hot inside during the summer months. I would stick to a generator
>
> > just for that reason. Jon
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
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> 
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>
>
> Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving
junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options
in Mail and switch to New Mail today or register for free at
http://mail.yahoo.ca
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

12-18-2007, 16:42

Thanks Jay, interesting, something different in each coach.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Jay Darst
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 8:10:09 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

FYI

In my 85 PT40, is a Leece-NeVille 320amp alternator.

That is the biggest I could find in a 12volt alt.

Makes plenty of power to run an inverter powered A/C while running

down the road.

Incidentally, I have run 1 roof air with the inverter WITHOUT the

Detroit running. Run it while at a lunch stop or loading and

unloading.

I have 6 6volt trojan T105s. Thats 660 amp hour capacity of which you

can safely use about 50% when sucking on them with a big draw like

A/C. The roof airs start at about 19 amps and then operate at about

12.5 amps.

That means that 12.5 amps(@110V) x 110 = 1,375 watts

but then inverters typically are around 92% efficient so

1,375 divided by 93% = 1,478 watts so

1,475 divied by 12.5Volts = 118 amp draw at 12.5volts so

if the A/C runs at 100% duty cycle, you should be able to run the A/C

for 2.8 hours.

There are some other factors that will/could cause less run time, has

to do with a high amp draw with no break in the action. Prawlly

internal battery temps and other misc stuff.

You won't start the coach on that battery bank after 2.8 hours. Ya

might start it after an hour if temps are above 70 degrees, which

probably would be, since you're running A/C.

Ramble ramble ramble

2 cents... ;~}

Jay Darst

85PT40 with Xantrex 2,500 watt Inverter/Charger and 320amp alt

'91 Prevost Royale 40XL with a 24V 280amp alt using Vanner

electronics to step down to 12V

'00 Prevost Royale H345 with 2 alternators 1-12v140amp and 1-24v

monster oil cooled, etc

Springfield/ Sullivan, IL

--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, Wilhelmus Schreurs

wrote:

>

> Dorn:

> Let us know what alternator you might settle on. I am thinking of

upgrading as well, escpecially with the electric brake drawing the

current like it does.

>

> Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"

> Terrace, B.C. Canada

>

>

> ----- Original Message ----

> From: Dorn Hetzel

> To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com

> Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:31:07 PM

> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Yep, my engine run A/C doesn't run right now, but it's

on my short list to

>

> repair, just putting it off until spring since I sure don't need AC

now Smile

>

>

>

> I'm looking at something like a Xantrex RS3000 and about 300 amps of

>

> alternator capacity. That should run at least one of the AC units

while

>

> driving I would hope.

>

>

>

> Regards,

>

>

>

> Dorn Hetzel

>

> 77FC35

>

> Hogansville, GA

>

>

>

> On Dec 18, 2007 2:45 PM, Jon wrote:

>

>

>

> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com
40yahoogroups. com>,

>

> > "Dorn Hetzel"

>

> > wrote:

>

> > >

>

> > > The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed

up

>

> > flywheel,

>

> > > takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then

>

> > doesn't run for

>

> > > more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it

seems))

>

> > >

>

> > > I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where

it

>

> > used to be

>

> > > with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.

>

> > >

>

> > > My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a

>

> > lot of Amp

>

> > > Hours.

>

> > >

>

> > > I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get

my

>

> > hands on

>

> > > for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.

>

> > >

>

> > > I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air

>

> > conditioning, or

>

> > > for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with

the

>

> > air

>

> > > running Smile

>

> > >

>

> > > Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?

>

> > >

>

> > > Regards,

>

> > >

>

> > > Dorn Hetzel

>

> > > 77FC35

>

> > > Hogansville, GA

>

> > >

>

> > >

>

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

> >

>

> > Without saying to much I would stick with some type of generator.

If

>

> > your coach is typical for being a vintage Wanderlodge than your

>

> > Engine run A/C does not operate. Now I know most of the people

here

>

> > use there generator to run there topside A/C unit in hot weather

when

>

> > there dash air is not operational. These old coaches can get

pretty

>

> > hot inside during the summer months. I would stick to a generator

>

> > just for that reason. Jon

>

> > >

>

> >

>

> >

>

> >

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> 

>

>

>

> 

>

>

>

> 

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving

junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options

in Mail and switch to New Mail today or register for free at

http://mail. yahoo.ca

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>







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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

12-18-2007, 16:47

Ryan:
Is that the sign of old age LOL.

Maybe Dorn would be better off with a smaller generator, 12.5kw is overkill, I
have not been able to put 80% load as it should have, but in my case I will once
I start to travel full time, as my wife is a potter and we will be plugging that
in from time to time, 30 amps 240 volts.
I would think a 6 kw would be plenty, even to run 2 A/C at the same time, and
some load management on the rest.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada

----- Original Message ----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 7:59:05 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: batteries in place of generator

On 12/18/07, Wilhelmus Schreurs wrote:

>

> Ryan:

> 1500 amp alternator?? are you sure.

> That would be huge, how would that fit inside the engine compartment?

Hah! I'm an idiot. I remembered wrong. I did some searching to find

whose coach I was thinking of. Turns out it's Jay Darst's, and I mixed

up amps and dollars in my poor excuse for a memory. It was a $1500,

320 amp alternator, not 1500 amps. I was right about remembering it

being hideously expensive, though.

From Jay's post earlier this year:

> we installed a $1,500 320amp alternator which provides sufficient

> power to the inverter to run an a/c unit.

OK, so yes, this is making more sense to me (and probably everyone else) now.

I still think Dorn would be money ahead to fix his genset. Going down

this road the numbers look like $1500 for an alternator, couple grand

worth of batteries, another grand worth of inverter, more for cables

and connectors to tie all that power together... Aren't we approaching

the price of a new Onan now?

-Ryan, going senile wayyyy too early.

'86 PT-40 8V92 (I think...)







Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo!
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

12-18-2007, 18:25

I would heave ho the old genset and replace it with a used RV 5 K
Onan. The construction gensets are not designed to be recontained
and they are noisy. you can find rv gensets all over the place with
low hours. Craigslist.org is a good place to start. I purchased 2 at
an Onan repair facility for under 400. each and ran them with
electric demo hammers for several years.

dumping a hunk of crap aint gonna have an impact on resale. You are
better off with empty storage than a faulty genset as far as that
goes.

I have 6 L16 trogen forklift batteries with major storage. the
problem is when you use it up, you need major runtime to recharge.
proper usage management will help. things like scheduling run/charge
time during high electrical usage demand will maxamize utility with
the least investment need. running the genset twice a day for 1/2
the time will reduce battery storage need. Gensets actually like to
be run fully loaded. Its all Math

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dorn Hetzel"
wrote:
>
> The gas generator on my 77FC35 isn't in the best shape. (hosed up
flywheel,
> takes many tries to find enough teeth to make it start, then
doesn't run for
> more than 5 minutes without starving for fuel... (or so it seems))
>
> I'm considering just pulling it out and filling the hole where it
used to be
> with a big pile of batteries and a big inverter/charger.
>
> My thought is that the generators weight in batteries would be a
lot of Amp
> Hours.
>
> I would also probably put in the biggest alternator I could get my
hands on
> for best charging and most useable power whilst on the road.
>
> I realize this arrangement probably won't run the much air
conditioning, or
> for long, but I don't have any immediate plans to boondock with
the air
> running Smile

>
> Any thoughts? Anyone tried this with success or failure?
>
> Regards,
>
> Dorn Hetzel
> 77FC35
> Hogansville, GA
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>