Batteries/Charger problems

[jburgessx2@...]

Dan,

Thanks! So, Autozone loans those testers out? I'll give it a shot. I'm guessing I need to unhook all the batteries first, correct? Also, would that cause a charger to fail?

Jerry
85 PT40

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

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From: Dan Williams

Sender: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 18:53:02 -0700 (PDT)

To:

ReplyTo: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Batteries/Charger problems

Jerry, pmji but it sounds like you don't have enough amps coming from the batteries to start the detroit. Running the generator adds enough amps from the charger and it starts. So back to the batteries not having enough amps. Go to Autozone or borrow a battery tester and load test each battery. I would bet you find aweak one. BTW, starting on low batteries is really hard on the starter.

Dan

88PT38

Jackson, MS

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From: Jerry Burgess
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 7:42:29 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Batteries/Charger problems

Art,

By not starting I mean it won't turn over. As soon as I started the generator the Detroit turned over and started. I'm thinking there is something with the charger and/or connections. The coach will start under shore power but not when disconnected. It's baffling to me (probably a simple fix for someone who knows their charging system) because it's worked perfectly fine since we bought the coach 19 months ago. And, the charger is new out of the box. I suppose it could be a bad charger but I don't think so. I did hook a regular auto battery charger to the posts connected to the body from the charger and I didn't get a reading inside the coach on the guage. That's why I'm a little lost.

Jerry

85 PT40

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From: artw
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, September 2, 2010 4:40:56 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Batteries/Charger problems

Jerry,

I understand you said it would not start 'till you started the generator. When you turn on the ignition key what is the dashboard
voltmeter reading. If it's reading 12 v. or better your batt. should
be able to start the coach. By not starting do you mean it won't turn over, or tunover but not start. My coach will sometines not turn over from the drivers position. It will start from the rear. I'm still trying to find that one.

Art Weatherly
Riverside Ca
'85 PT36

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "jburgessx2" wrote:
>
> I'm having an issue that I hope someone can help me with. There is much I understand about my 85 PT40 and I do enjoy doing most of the maintenance. One thing I haven't grasped yet is the electrical portion and I'll admit
I need to be spoon fed because my knowledge level is so limited. BTW, we full time in our coach so getting things fixed promptly is important. Here's the background and issue:
>
> - About 1 year ago I replaced the six 6-volt batteries with golf cart batteries.
>
> - At the same time I replaced the original charging units with an IOTA 45 amp charger (new).
>
> - I had no issues until a week ago. And, I do check water levels and keep my batteries clean and full.
>
> - My lights went out and I realized the batteries weren't being charged (or so I thought because the gauge showed zero charge.
>
> - I replaced the IOTA with a new unit and it immediately went into charge mode and charged the batteries (at least I assumed it did because I had lights and the charger gauge showed a charge.)
>
> - I moved the coach yesterday (unhooked from shore power) and the engine would not
turnover. I started the generator and the coach started right up.
>
> - My new charger doesn't seem to be charging now (per the guage) and it's only a week old.
>
> - The batteries are full of distilled water and they are cleaned with good connections.
>
> So, have my batteries gone bad? Is the charger bad even though it's brand new? Do I have a bad relay between the batteries and charger?
>
> Frankly, when it comes to these electrical problems, I'm not sure where to start to determine what the issue is.
>
> What do I need to do to troubleshoot? Where do I start? How do I know when to stop?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jerry
> 85 PT40 (Jayne Marie)
>