Wanderlodge Question: electical problems

[freewill2008]

Disconnect the positive normally, because the positive wiring is better
isolated, but negative should work.
BobG

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, cfsomers@... wrote:
>
> 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@
> >
> >
> >
> >
>