generator weirdness

[dhardy1944]

Don,

Thanks for the input. Yes I do have the grandkids, but I am getting
a little work in. I had my gen battery checked and it had two weak
cells, so I replaced it today. With the battery in place but with
quick disconnect open, the voltage reads 13.05 and with the coach
charger on and the disconnect closed, the voltage reads the same.
The coach batteries, with the charger on read about 14.20 volts, so
they are receiving a charge the gen battery is not receiving.

It sounds like Ralph and Don are on to the tech problem. The most
serious part of my problem is me - lack of knowledge in this area.
Ralph mentioned I should have a diode behind the bumper on driver's
side. I did not find it. Any help as to physical location,
descrition of part and/or other parts close to it would be
appreciated. Thanks again to each of you. If Ralph wasn't on the
other side of the state I would already had the coach there. We are
working on a future date for work, but it would be great to get it
fixed here and learn a little in the process.

Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "worktohobby"
wrote:
>
> Ernie,
>
> On my 1987 the genset charge circuit is is tied in to the two hot
> terminals on the auxillary battery relay (Genset batter + post,
and
> coach batteries + Post). It is a very simple circuit, a 30 amp
circuit
> breaker in line with a 50 amp diode wired between the previous
> mentioned hot posts. If the diode burns out or the self reseting
fuse
> fails no charge may reach the battery. My genset has no
alternator.
> The main problem with this set up when working is the 0.6 voltage
drop
> accross the diode; the genset battery never sees a decent charge.
>
> On my coach I disconnected the diode/circuit braker and installed
a 50
> amp battery combiner accross the two hot posts. Now whenever
charge
> voltages are present the combiner combines the two coach battery
banks
> (genset/coach) and the genset battery recieves an excellant
charge.
>
> This bus has no battery isolator.
>
> Regards,
>
> Don Duncan
> 1987 PT40
> Beaverton, Oregon
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
> wrote:
> >
> > dave Hardy- 84 PT40, his generator, while running will not
charge
> his
> > generator battery. The inverter on the coach is no help. He can
put
> an
> > aux battery charger on the generator battery and the generator
will
> run
> > from now on- without that the voltage drops and she dies. Anyone
> have
> > ever have the same problem? How about a fix? Thanks, Ernie-
83PT40 in
> > Texas- my generator just leaks diesel- no problem there
> >
>

[mrkane1952]

Do you have a Rediline? On my 1985, the diode is above it, on the
forward wall just below the shelf for the battery chargers. The
circuit breaker and one of the solenoids for the charging circuit
are nearby.

I have pictures and schematics, but they are too large for most
email servers???

M.R.Kane
1985 PT40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944"
wrote:
>
> Don,
>
> Thanks for the input. Yes I do have the grandkids, but I am
getting
> a little work in. I had my gen battery checked and it had two weak
> cells, so I replaced it today. With the battery in place but with
> quick disconnect open, the voltage reads 13.05 and with the coach
> charger on and the disconnect closed, the voltage reads the same.
> The coach batteries, with the charger on read about 14.20 volts,
so
> they are receiving a charge the gen battery is not receiving.
>
> It sounds like Ralph and Don are on to the tech problem. The most
> serious part of my problem is me - lack of knowledge in this area.
> Ralph mentioned I should have a diode behind the bumper on
driver's
> side. I did not find it. Any help as to physical location,
> descrition of part and/or other parts close to it would be
> appreciated. Thanks again to each of you. If Ralph wasn't on the
> other side of the state I would already had the coach there. We
are
> working on a future date for work, but it would be great to get it
> fixed here and learn a little in the process.
>
> Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "worktohobby"
> wrote:
> >

[Dan]

amen, put a sticker on there that says "diode".

Dan
88pt38
"Kiwi"
Jackson, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: erniecarpet@...
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: generator weirdness



In a message dated 12/27/2006 3:08:15 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
dhardy@... writes:

Ralph mentioned I should have a diode behind the bumper on driver's
side.

Dave- don't feel bad. I wouldn't know a diode from anything else- unless it
has a label on it that says "diode"

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Weatherford, tx
--electrically challenged

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Stephen Birtles]

Could you send me those pic and schematics
my email will handle large files
Thanks Stephen 77fc35


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mrkane1952" <mrkane@...> wrote:
>
> Do you have a Rediline? On my 1985, the diode is above it, on the
> forward wall just below the shelf for the battery chargers. The
> circuit breaker and one of the solenoids for the charging circuit
> are nearby.
>
> I have pictures and schematics, but they are too large for most
> email servers???
>
> M.R.Kane
> 1985 PT40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944"
> wrote:
> >
> > Don,
> >
> > Thanks for the input. Yes I do have the grandkids, but I am
> getting
> > a little work in. I had my gen battery checked and it had two weak
> > cells, so I replaced it today. With the battery in place but with
> > quick disconnect open, the voltage reads 13.05 and with the coach
> > charger on and the disconnect closed, the voltage reads the same.
> > The coach batteries, with the charger on read about 14.20 volts,
> so
> > they are receiving a charge the gen battery is not receiving.
> >
> > It sounds like Ralph and Don are on to the tech problem. The most
> > serious part of my problem is me - lack of knowledge in this area.
> > Ralph mentioned I should have a diode behind the bumper on
> driver's
> > side. I did not find it. Any help as to physical location,
> > descrition of part and/or other parts close to it would be
> > appreciated. Thanks again to each of you. If Ralph wasn't on the
> > other side of the state I would already had the coach there. We
> are
> > working on a future date for work, but it would be great to get it
> > fixed here and learn a little in the process.
> >
> > Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "worktohobby"
> > wrote:
> > >
>

[worktohobby]

Dave,

On my bus it is in the same compartment as the generator Fan. If
someone can flip the auxilary battery switch on and off you should
be able to hear it clunk on and of (no engines running). Also, you
should see the genset voltage jump to the coach voltage when the
switch is held in the on position, or you have issues with that
relay as well.

It will simply be a metalic relay, can style, with a self reseting
circuit breaker near on attached to it and a small diode, nothing
special. If yours is like mine, I THINK it is. On my 1980 FC it was
located under the step, no breaker or diode though.

Got to get back to work.

Don Duncan
1987 PT40
Beaverton, Oregon


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944"
wrote:
>
> Don,
>
> Thanks for the input. Yes I do have the grandkids, but I am
getting
> a little work in. I had my gen battery checked and it had two weak
> cells, so I replaced it today. With the battery in place but with
> quick disconnect open, the voltage reads 13.05 and with the coach
> charger on and the disconnect closed, the voltage reads the same.
> The coach batteries, with the charger on read about 14.20 volts,
so
> they are receiving a charge the gen battery is not receiving.
>
> It sounds like Ralph and Don are on to the tech problem. The most
> serious part of my problem is me - lack of knowledge in this area.
> Ralph mentioned I should have a diode behind the bumper on
driver's
> side. I did not find it. Any help as to physical location,
> descrition of part and/or other parts close to it would be
> appreciated. Thanks again to each of you. If Ralph wasn't on the
> other side of the state I would already had the coach there. We
are
> working on a future date for work, but it would be great to get it
> fixed here and learn a little in the process.
>
> Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "worktohobby"
> wrote:
> >
> > Ernie,
> >
> > On my 1987 the genset charge circuit is is tied in to the two
hot
> > terminals on the auxillary battery relay (Genset batter + post,
> and
> > coach batteries + Post). It is a very simple circuit, a 30 amp
> circuit
> > breaker in line with a 50 amp diode wired between the previous
> > mentioned hot posts. If the diode burns out or the self reseting
> fuse
> > fails no charge may reach the battery. My genset has no
> alternator.
> > The main problem with this set up when working is the 0.6
voltage
> drop
> > accross the diode; the genset battery never sees a decent charge.
> >
> > On my coach I disconnected the diode/circuit braker and
installed
> a 50
> > amp battery combiner accross the two hot posts. Now whenever
> charge
> > voltages are present the combiner combines the two coach battery
> banks
> > (genset/coach) and the genset battery recieves an excellant
> charge.
> >
> > This bus has no battery isolator.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Don Duncan
> > 1987 PT40
> > Beaverton, Oregon
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > dave Hardy- 84 PT40, his generator, while running will not
> charge
> > his
> > > generator battery. The inverter on the coach is no help. He
can
> put
> > an
> > > aux battery charger on the generator battery and the generator
> will
> > run
> > > from now on- without that the voltage drops and she dies.
Anyone
> > have
> > > ever have the same problem? How about a fix? Thanks, Ernie-
> 83PT40 in
> > > Texas- my generator just leaks diesel- no problem there
> > >
> >
>

[dhardy1944]

First, to Ernie, thanks for your comments about not knowing what a
diode is unless it says diode. I love you man. Second, the rediline
was dead when I bought the coach. I didn't know it, didn't know what
a rediline was or even that I had one. It has been replaced with a
Xantrex 2500 inverter/charger. I know the area and there are three
relays?: two on the bottom of the compartment and one I believe on
the forward wall. Maybe the diode is close to it. Also, are these
relays the same or is each one a different animal? I will be leaving
for church shortly, but will check for posts later tonight. We are
supposed to have rain coming, but maybe it will wait until I can
check some more. Thanks again so very much.

Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mrkane1952" <mrkane@...>
wrote:
>
> Do you have a Rediline? On my 1985, the diode is above it, on the
> forward wall just below the shelf for the battery chargers. The
> circuit breaker and one of the solenoids for the charging circuit
> are nearby.
>
> I have pictures and schematics, but they are too large for most
> email servers???
>
> M.R.Kane
> 1985 PT40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944"
> wrote:
> >
> > Don,
> >
> > Thanks for the input. Yes I do have the grandkids, but I am
> getting
> > a little work in. I had my gen battery checked and it had two
weak
> > cells, so I replaced it today. With the battery in place but
with
> > quick disconnect open, the voltage reads 13.05 and with the
coach
> > charger on and the disconnect closed, the voltage reads the
same.
> > The coach batteries, with the charger on read about 14.20 volts,
> so
> > they are receiving a charge the gen battery is not receiving.
> >
> > It sounds like Ralph and Don are on to the tech problem. The
most
> > serious part of my problem is me - lack of knowledge in this
area.
> > Ralph mentioned I should have a diode behind the bumper on
> driver's
> > side. I did not find it. Any help as to physical location,
> > descrition of part and/or other parts close to it would be
> > appreciated. Thanks again to each of you. If Ralph wasn't on the
> > other side of the state I would already had the coach there. We
> are
> > working on a future date for work, but it would be great to get
it
> > fixed here and learn a little in the process.
> >
> > Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "worktohobby"
> > wrote:
> > >
>

[dhardy1944]

Thanks Don,

Now that you mention it, I believe I have heard the relay from the
driver's seat when engaging the aux switch. And yes, the voltage
comes up immediately on the gen battery when I do that. I hope to
check that and a couple more items in the morning or afternoon.

Dave --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "worktohobby"
wrote:
>
> Dave,
>
> On my bus it is in the same compartment as the generator Fan. If
> someone can flip the auxilary battery switch on and off you should
> be able to hear it clunk on and of (no engines running). Also, you
> should see the genset voltage jump to the coach voltage when the
> switch is held in the on position, or you have issues with that
> relay as well.
>
> It will simply be a metalic relay, can style, with a self reseting
> circuit breaker near on attached to it and a small diode, nothing
> special. If yours is like mine, I THINK it is. On my 1980 FC it
was
> located under the step, no breaker or diode though.
>
> Got to get back to work.
>
> Don Duncan
> 1987 PT40
> Beaverton, Oregon
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944"
> wrote:
> >
> > Don,
> >
> > Thanks for the input. Yes I do have the grandkids, but I am
> getting
> > a little work in. I had my gen battery checked and it had two
weak
> > cells, so I replaced it today. With the battery in place but
with
> > quick disconnect open, the voltage reads 13.05 and with the
coach
> > charger on and the disconnect closed, the voltage reads the
same.
> > The coach batteries, with the charger on read about 14.20 volts,
> so
> > they are receiving a charge the gen battery is not receiving.
> >
> > It sounds like Ralph and Don are on to the tech problem. The
most
> > serious part of my problem is me - lack of knowledge in this
area.
> > Ralph mentioned I should have a diode behind the bumper on
> driver's
> > side. I did not find it. Any help as to physical location,
> > descrition of part and/or other parts close to it would be
> > appreciated. Thanks again to each of you. If Ralph wasn't on the
> > other side of the state I would already had the coach there. We
> are
> > working on a future date for work, but it would be great to get
it
> > fixed here and learn a little in the process.
> >
> > Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "worktohobby"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Ernie,
> > >
> > > On my 1987 the genset charge circuit is is tied in to the two
> hot
> > > terminals on the auxillary battery relay (Genset batter +
post,
> > and
> > > coach batteries + Post). It is a very simple circuit, a 30 amp
> > circuit
> > > breaker in line with a 50 amp diode wired between the previous
> > > mentioned hot posts. If the diode burns out or the self
reseting
> > fuse
> > > fails no charge may reach the battery. My genset has no
> > alternator.
> > > The main problem with this set up when working is the 0.6
> voltage
> > drop
> > > accross the diode; the genset battery never sees a decent
charge.
> > >
> > > On my coach I disconnected the diode/circuit braker and
> installed
> > a 50
> > > amp battery combiner accross the two hot posts. Now whenever
> > charge
> > > voltages are present the combiner combines the two coach
battery
> > banks
> > > (genset/coach) and the genset battery recieves an excellant
> > charge.
> > >
> > > This bus has no battery isolator.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Don Duncan
> > > 1987 PT40
> > > Beaverton, Oregon
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernest Ekberg"
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > dave Hardy- 84 PT40, his generator, while running will not
> > charge
> > > his
> > > > generator battery. The inverter on the coach is no help. He
> can
> > put
> > > an
> > > > aux battery charger on the generator battery and the
generator
> > will
> > > run
> > > > from now on- without that the voltage drops and she dies.
> Anyone
> > > have
> > > > ever have the same problem? How about a fix? Thanks, Ernie-
> > 83PT40 in
> > > > Texas- my generator just leaks diesel- no problem there
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[mrkane1952]

Relays are all the same...cylindrical cans about 2 inches in diameter
and a little longer than that. Replaced with a NAPA ECH-ST84 which
looked identical or with a Borg-Warner S58P (which was plastic cased,
but half-price from O'Reilly's.) There are three terminals, two
battery-cable sized on either side, with a smaller one for the control.

Circuit breaker was typical 1 1/4 inch long metal rectangle with two
terminals and mounting ears.

Hard to know what was done when the Rediline was replaced, but my
first bet would be the one on the forward wall. Drilling holes in
those panels is enough trouble, the original mounting holes would
likely be reused when possible.

Will try to make some photos available.

--M.R.
'85 PT40



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944" wrote:
>
> First, to Ernie, thanks for your comments about not knowing what a
> diode is unless it says diode. I love you man. Second, the rediline
> was dead when I bought the coach. I didn't know it, didn't know what
> a rediline was or even that I had one. It has been replaced with a
> Xantrex 2500 inverter/charger. I know the area and there are three
> relays?: two on the bottom of the compartment and one I believe on
> the forward wall. Maybe the diode is close to it. Also, are these
> relays the same or is each one a different animal? I will be leaving
> for church shortly, but will check for posts later tonight. We are
> supposed to have rain coming, but maybe it will wait until I can
> check some more. Thanks again so very much.
>
> Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
>

[mrkane1952]

Have created an album in the Photos section showing my setup of the
rear solenoid, breaker and diode. [At least I think I did ;-) ] Look
for "PT Gen Batt Charging" In these pictures, the diode is on the
right, mounted vertically on a piece of aluminum angle, with red leads
going to both top and bottom.

There is a schematic, too, but the displayed resolution is too low to
be useful. The file uploaded was about 2600x1900 pixels--162kB--to
retain enough detail to be readable. Maybe one of the moderators can
help?

Good luck--
M.R.Kane
'85 PT40


>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "dhardy1944" wrote:
> >
> > First, to Ernie, thanks for your comments about not knowing what a
> > diode is unless it says diode. I love you man. Second, the rediline
> > was dead when I bought the coach. I didn't know it, didn't know what
> > a rediline was or even that I had one. It has been replaced with a
> > Xantrex 2500 inverter/charger. I know the area and there are three
> > relays?: two on the bottom of the compartment and one I believe on
> > the forward wall. Maybe the diode is close to it. Also, are these
> > relays the same or is each one a different animal? I will be leaving
> > for church shortly, but will check for posts later tonight. We are
> > supposed to have rain coming, but maybe it will wait until I can
> > check some more. Thanks again so very much.
> >
> > Dave in Tulsa (84 PT 40)
> >
>

[erniecarpet@...]

Thanks, M.R. know I know what everyone is talking about. About the only way
I know of for the schematic to be seen is to send it to an individual.

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Weatherford, tx



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]