generator weirdness

[dhardy1944]

M.R.

Thanks again for taking time to give me some direction. I certainly
have no problem replacing those parts. Tom Warner mentioned a couple
of things. First, he asked me to check the voltage on the positive
cable to the gen battery while disconnected from the battery to see
if there was any flow. It appeared to be eratic. It actually spiked
once up to 13-14 volts, but settled down to 1-2 volts. Second, Tom
said when the Rediline was replaced with the Xantrex things may not
be hooked up right now. If some of the cables had to be moved, I am
fairly certain they were not. The local RV place did not want to put
the inverter in, so a regular electrician did. I doubt he would have
known anything about making changes due to removing the Rediline. If
I need to move a cable, I can do it, but I need to know which one
and to where.

You asked me what I was checking voltage with and it is a digital
Craftsman, one of the better models of maybe six years ago. I will
check the voltage as you described tomorrow if I don't get rained
out. There was a 90% chance, now we are down to 70%, so maybe I can
still work. I suppose I can get those parts at Napa? But, let me
mention one more time Tom's comments about the Rediline/Xantrex
trade out. As best I can determine with my voltmeter, there is 14
volts at the diode and breaker. Maybe I need to replace these parts
and move a cable too, but I am afraid I might damage other
components in a cable shift with my limited knowledge and ability.
Better stated - I might burn the coach up. Thanks again.

Dave

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mrkane1952" <mrkane@...>
wrote:
>
> Dave:
>
> The function of the "Aux Battery" switch is to bypass the diode and
> breaker in the generator battery circuit, to allow the generator
> battery to assist the coach batteries start the main engine. Both
the
> relay in the front and the one in the rear are needed. The
symptoms
> you describe still suggest a problem with these solenoids, the
diode,
> breaker, or associated wiring since you have replaced the generator
> battery.
>
> There should only be one diode and one breaker in this circuit,
which
> you found in the rear compartment.
>
> How was the voltage you describe below measured? Let me suggest
more
> measurements:
>
> 1) Measure the voltage from one side of the diode to the other. If
> there isn't too much current flowing, it should be 0.7 V.
> Alternatively, if the diode is conducting correctly, measuring
voltage
> from one side of the diode to ground should be the coach charger
> voltage--say 14 V--and the other side of the diode to ground would
be
> 13.3 V. The drop (voltage difference) across the diode will be
higher
> at higher currents.
>
> {The best way to check a diode is to remove it from the circuit and
> check it for continuity in the forward direction, isolation in the
> reverse direction. Voltage measurements while still in the active
> circuit can be confusing due to variations in the voltages of the
> batteries and dirty contacts throughout, for example. An accurate
> digital meter is also important--I just got a nifty one with the
> clamp-on AC Volt feature for about $40 at Sears.}
>
> 2) Measure the voltage from one breaker terminal to the other
one. If
> the breaker is normal (closed,) the voltage should be zero. If
not,
> then the breaker is suspect.
>
> In my case the front solenoid was faulty in addition to the
breaker.
> The relay was hot to the touch, even without using the "Aux Batt"
> switch, and faulty breaker didn't allow any current from the
charging
> system to reach the gen battery.
>
> My suggestion at this point is to replace both solenoids and the
> breaker, being sure to clean or replace all the connectors, and to
> clean the gen battery chassis ground(s).
>
> Good luck--
>
> M.R.
> '85 PT40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944"
wrote:
> >
> > Ernie, M.R., Tom, Don and others,
> >
> > Thanks again. The pictures from M.R. were a "great" help and
looks
> > just like my setup. Here is the latest update: According to the
> > layout M.R. posted, I have about 13.6 volts at the diode and
circuit
> > breaker without charger and over 14 volts when the charger is
on.
> > However, that never makes it to the gen battery unless I push
the
> > aux switch. At that time the gen voltage jumps to over 14. The
relay
> > for the aux switch is on a vertical wall just to the rear of the
> > front step. But, I cannot see a diode or circuit breaker
anywhere
> > near it. I am not sure what to do next. I will check our site
off
> > and on through the day. Rain is coming tonight for the next few
> > days, but I should have several hours today. And to Tom, my
direct
> > reply to your address came back - not sure why. Thanks again to
> > everyone.
> >
> > Dave
> >
>