Wanderlodge Question: electical problems

[cfsomers@...]

UPdate: I have replaced the two starting batteries and have put a 30 amp
fuse where what ever it was that blew. Have not started it yet as it was
late last night. Concern i have is when I finalized the starter battery
installation I heard what i think is a selonoid activate. this could
explain when they are draining on me. Are they supposed to operate any
thing other than the starters? Given the condition the coach was in when I
purchased it 5 years ago. Maybe i hooked up a wire wrong in the battery
area. Does someone have a 81 that they could take a picture of the front
battery area for reference?

Regards and thanks for the help.

Chuck

81FCSB35

> A fuse link in the charging circuit has to be a bit larger than the rated
> output of the alternator by about 20%. Typically a 150 amp alternator
> will get a link of 180 amps. If the link is in the drain side to the
> coach, play it by ear and figure that even with every light on, you won't
> draw more than 120 amps. 1-0 wire should not be used for more than 150
> amps anyway so there you go. I do not see any links in the schematics for
> my 1985 PT-40
> Gary
>
> --- On Tue, 5/26/09, freewill2008 wrote:
>
> From: freewill2008
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Wanderlodge Question: electical problems
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009, 1:32 AM
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> There is a good chance that the fuse link is actually one of the
> ammeter shunts. A shunt could be mistaken for a fuse link. It
> would explain the erratic ammeter. It is important to figure out
> why it is burnt in either case because it takes a lot of power
> (think potential heat) to fry either a main fuse or a shunt.
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> For help, try to find someone who recognizes what fried and can help find
> the reason why.
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>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
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>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, cfsomers@... wrote:
>
>>
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>> Sense my last post, I have taken the starter batteries out. I had
>> already
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>> gone through all the batteries and cleaned all contacts. Upon removing
>> the
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>> batteries, the two 6 volts reminded me of seeing batteries that had
>> frozen
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>> in their past. Taking them in to have them checked tomorrow. Now what i
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>> did find is a inline fusable link that was fried. It is connected to the
>
>> house batteries by two wires. It is on the back wall behind the
>> batteries.
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>> if anyone can give what this should be it would be great. Otherwise i am
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>> going to take it to my local NAPA dealer tomorrow and see if they can
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>> figure out what it is.
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>> This i hope will take care of the imediate needs, but i still need to
>> find
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>> out why the starter batteries are draining. I was under the impression
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>> that these were isolated when parked.
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>> Chuck
>
>> 81FCSB35
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>>
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>> > Chuck - Because the coach has apparently been out of service, first
>> have
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>> > each battery individually tested by a reputable auto-electic service
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>> > dealer.
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>> >
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>> > Next, get a little dirty (or hire the work out) and disconnect and
>> clean
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>> > the mating surfaces of both ends of all the positive cables, ground
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>> > cables, and jumper cables in the battery compartment area. Don't
>> forget
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>> > the cables to and from the ammeter shunts. Re-assemble everything
>> shiney
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>> > clean and tight.
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>> > If, with batteries that are tested and known good, and with good cable
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>> > connections, you still have trouble, post again or enlist some expert
>> help
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>> > locally.
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>> >
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>> > Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>
>> >
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>> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, cfsomers@ wrote:
>
>> >>
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>> >> I have an 81FCSB35. My starting batteries are always dying after
>> being
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>> >> parked for a couple of days. The coach was jumped yesterday to get it
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>> >> started yesterday. Now my gauges are not working as they were before.
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>> >> Particularly the amp meter. with the ignition turned off it reads
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>> >> nothing.
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>> >> plugged in the chargers and the meter read normal.
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>> >>
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>> >> I am looking for direction and/or someone locally who can work on it.
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>> >>
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>> >> Port Orange, Florida
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>> >>
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>> >> Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. it has been 3 years
>> getting
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>> >> this titled in Florida and now I would like to be able to use it.
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>> >>
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>> >> Regards
>
>> >>
>
>> >> Chuck Somers
>
>> >> 81FCSB35
>
>> >> Port Orange, Florida
>
>> >> cfsomers@
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>> >>
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