Wanderlodge Question: electical problems

[cfsomers@...]

Bob

Thanks for the input. Mine are setup in an L shape with 3 across the front
and one back on the right hand side looking at the compartment. Not to
sound dumb, but which side do you put the disconnect on + or -?

I had just planned on disconnecting the negative when storing. I am going
to be spending a lot of time tracing things down and when I get frustrated
enough I will take it to someone else so they can get frustrated.

My Generator works fine as long as I hold the valve open, just another issue.

Regards

Chuck
81FCSB35

> Chuck - A stock FC has four batteries in the left front compartment, and
> sometimes two more in the right front compartment. As wired from the
> factory, all of the batteries serve as both starting batteries and house
> batteries.
>
> Some FCs (mine included) have been modified so the starting batteries are
> separate from the house batteries. If yours has been changed to the dual
> system then your wiring would be unique to your coach.
>
> Regardless of which setup you have, Wanderlodges are famous for having a
> load on the batteries even when we think everything is off. For this
> reason, a battery disconnect switch is very useful. The "parked" battery
> load of an FC is typically 5 to 10 amps. Doesn't take long to drain a set
> of batteries.
>
> Regarding that fuse (or whatever): A main battery fuse (or meter shunt)
> is good for hundreds of amps. If you replaced a 30 amp fuse, it must run
> some accessory. Our rig has a 30 amp fuse in the battery area for the
> refrigerator for example, and I have added a couple more over the years.
>
> Does your front left battery compartment have 4 batteries in a "square"
> layout, or 3 batteries in a line with a fourth tucked in behind? BB
> changed the layout when they changed steering boxes around the time your
> bus was built. The factory wiring is the same with either layout, but it
> is easier to see what's going on with the "square" layout.
>
> In any case, it is important to realize that few of these older coaches
> still have a battery compartment set up the way it left the factory.
> Often you need to trace the wiring and draw a diagram to determine what
> you have. Even with modified wiring, having a factory wiring diagram helps
> a lot because you know how it started out. The wiring is actually pretty
> simple - its just crowded and dirty.
>
> Good luck. Electrical issues often take a while to resolve, but you get
> more familiar with your coach in the process.
>
> Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, cfsomers@... wrote:
>>
>> 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
>> >
>> >
>> > 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.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > For help, try to find someone who recognizes what fried and can help
>> find
>> > the reason why.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, cfsomers@ wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >> Sense my last post, I have taken the starter batteries out. I had
>> >> already
>> >
>> >> gone through all the batteries and cleaned all contacts. Upon
>> removing
>> >> the
>> >
>> >> batteries, the two 6 volts reminded me of seeing batteries that had
>> >> frozen
>> >
>> >> in their past. Taking them in to have them checked tomorrow. Now what
>> i
>> >
>> >> 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.
>> >
>> >> if anyone can give what this should be it would be great. Otherwise i
>> am
>> >
>> >> going to take it to my local NAPA dealer tomorrow and see if they can
>> >
>> >> figure out what it is.
>> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >> This i hope will take care of the imediate needs, but i still need to
>> >> find
>> >
>> >> out why the starter batteries are draining. I was under the
>> impression
>> >
>> >> that these were isolated when parked.
>> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >> Chuck
>> >
>> >> 81FCSB35
>> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >> > Chuck - Because the coach has apparently been out of service, first
>> >> have
>> >
>> >> > each battery individually tested by a reputable auto-electic
>> service
>> >
>> >> > dealer.
>> >
>> >> >
>> >
>> >> > Next, get a little dirty (or hire the work out) and disconnect and
>> >> clean
>> >
>> >> > the mating surfaces of both ends of all the positive cables, ground
>> >
>> >> > cables, and jumper cables in the battery compartment area. Don't
>> >> forget
>> >
>> >> > the cables to and from the ammeter shunts. Re-assemble everything
>> >> shiney
>> >
>> >> > clean and tight.
>> >
>> >> >
>> >
>> >> > If, with batteries that are tested and known good, and with good
>> cable
>> >
>> >> > connections, you still have trouble, post again or enlist some
>> expert
>> >> help
>> >
>> >> > locally.
>> >
>> >> >
>> >
>> >> > Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA
>> >
>> >> >
>> >
>> >> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, cfsomers@ wrote:
>> >
>> >> >>
>> >
>> >> >> I have an 81FCSB35. My starting batteries are always dying after
>> >> being
>> >
>> >> >> parked for a couple of days. The coach was jumped yesterday to get
>> it
>> >
>> >> >> started yesterday. Now my gauges are not working as they were
>> before.
>> >
>> >> >> Particularly the amp meter. with the ignition turned off it reads
>> >
>> >> >> nothing.
>> >
>> >> >> plugged in the chargers and the meter read normal.
>> >
>> >> >>
>> >
>> >> >> I am looking for direction and/or someone locally who can work on
>> it.
>> >
>> >> >>
>> >
>> >> >> Port Orange, Florida
>> >
>> >> >>
>> >
>> >> >> Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. it has been 3 years
>> >> getting
>> >
>> >> >> this titled in Florida and now I would like to be able to use it.
>> >
>> >> >>
>> >
>> >> >> Regards
>> >
>> >> >>
>> >
>> >> >> Chuck Somers
>> >
>> >> >> 81FCSB35
>> >
>> >> >> Port Orange, Florida
>> >
>> >> >> cfsomers@
>
>
>
>