Batteries not charging...

[The Whistleworks]

Al, are you plugged into shore power , try cleaning battery posts and clamps?
How old are the batteries? John B
88 FC
Carlsbad, NM
----- Original Message -----
From: geez_al
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:16 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Batteries not charging...


I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.

My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the last
time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the way
down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.

The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is off,
the low volt relay still trips.

Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.

Thanks,

Al S.
1981 31ft FC
NM





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

[geez_al]

I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.

My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the last
time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the way
down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.

The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is off,
the low volt relay still trips.

Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.

Thanks,

Al S.
1981 31ft FC
NM

[geez_al]

The batteries are under a year and the water levels are to the top.
That's actually a very good suggestion, I'll give it a try.


Al S.
1981 31ft FC
NM


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "The Whistleworks"
wrote:
>
> Al, are you plugged into shore power , try cleaning battery posts
and clamps? How old are the batteries? John B
> 88 FC
> Carlsbad, NM
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: geez_al
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:16 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Batteries not charging...
>
>
> I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.
>
> My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
> every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the last
> time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the way
> down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.
>
> The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
> batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
> peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is off,
> the low volt relay still trips.
>
> Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Al S.
> 1981 31ft FC
> NM
>
>
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive
maintenance
> Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles
Automotive radiators
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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Tom Warner]

Al if you let the batteries get down to 10 volts its very possible
that you destroyed the batteries. Clean the posts as John suggested
and then plug it into shore power. Monitor the voltage acorss the
batteries and if it is at least 13.2 volts DC for a period of time
then the charger is working fine. Then if they dont hold a charge
better replace them.

tom warner
1982 Bluebird
Vernon center,NY

At 12:56 PM 11/9/2005, you wrote:
>The batteries are under a year and the water levels are to the top.
>That's actually a very good suggestion, I'll give it a try.
>
>
>Al S.
>1981 31ft FC
>NM
>
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "The Whistleworks"
> wrote:
> >
> > Al, are you plugged into shore power , try cleaning battery posts
>and clamps? How old are the batteries? John B
> > 88 FC
> > Carlsbad, NM
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: geez_al
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:16 AM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Batteries not charging...
> >
> >
> > I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.
> >
> > My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
> > every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the last
> > time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the way
> > down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.
> >
> > The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
> > batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
> > peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is off,
> > the low volt relay still trips.
> >
> > Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Al S.
> > 1981 31ft FC
> > NM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive
>maintenance
> > Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles
>Automotive radiators
> >
> >
> >
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[fwernlein]

To really get an idea of what your batteries are capable of....you
need to fully charge, and then load test the individual batteries.
A specific gravity test only shows state of charge from what I
know. Try to find a local source (auto parts, battery dealer) for
this.

If you eliminate other problems (poor wiring, bad connections, low
battery water, old/shot batteries)...you should be able to run a
wild ass guess test of your own: if the wiring is clean, your
batteries are charged, and have good water level, put "on" a known
amp load draw using bus systems (gas alarm, couple of lights, etc.)
and see how fast batteries draw down....if it seems that you have no
real battery capacity, may be time for new batteries.

BUT, are you facing the BB "works as designed issue"? Which is
these buses were not really set up for boondocking or dry storage.
Absent turning off the master (and later versions - the electronic
master) or using a user installed switch at the battery, you are
drawing some load even with all systems turned off....and this will
draw down your batteries over anywhere from a few hours to a few
days, depending on the load, and your battery set up (2,4 or more
batteries) and thier condition.

The fix here for me was adding a solar panel, and/or learning to
kill the switch when storing the bus. The single 120wt. solar panel
negates the base load and light boondocking loads that i have (not a
system for "living solar". The master switch works for the rest of
it.

Northern Az. Solar Power has a great informative FAQ sheet on
batteries....on thier web site.


frank
85FC33
Woodbridge, Va.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "geez_al" wrote:
>
> I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.
>
> My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
> every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the
last
> time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the
way
> down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.
>
> The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
> batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
> peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is
off,
> the low volt relay still trips.
>
> Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Al S.
> 1981 31ft FC
> NM
>

[guysmalley]

maybe the fuse on the charger is fried or how old is the charger, is it a newer
smart charger?

-guy smalley
86 pt 40

[Howard O. Truitt]

Tom,

In your answer to Al you said at least 13.2 vdc What is the optimum and what is
the maximum.

Howard Truitt
Camilla, Ga.
86 8V92 PT40

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Warner
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 1:02 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Batteries not charging...


Al if you let the batteries get down to 10 volts its very possible
that you destroyed the batteries. Clean the posts as John suggested
and then plug it into shore power. Monitor the voltage acorss the
batteries and if it is at least 13.2 volts DC for a period of time
then the charger is working fine. Then if they dont hold a charge
better replace them.

tom warner
1982 Bluebird
Vernon center,NY

At 12:56 PM 11/9/2005, you wrote:
>The batteries are under a year and the water levels are to the top.
>That's actually a very good suggestion, I'll give it a try.
>
>
>Al S.
>1981 31ft FC
>NM
>
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "The Whistleworks"
> wrote:
> >
> > Al, are you plugged into shore power , try cleaning battery posts
>and clamps? How old are the batteries? John B
> > 88 FC
> > Carlsbad, NM
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: geez_al
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:16 AM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Batteries not charging...
> >
> >
> > I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.
> >
> > My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
> > every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the last
> > time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the way
> > down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.
> >
> > The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
> > batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
> > peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is off,
> > the low volt relay still trips.
> >
> > Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Al S.
> > 1981 31ft FC
> > NM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive
>maintenance
> > Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles
>Automotive radiators
> >
> >
> >

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

[geez_al]

Thanks so far guys. The charger is a year old Truecharge +40 working great on
the house batts (which are fine as well). I guess the smart thing would to just
to have them checked out after cleaning the posts.



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt" wrote:
>
> Tom,
>
> In your answer to Al you said at least 13.2 vdc What is the optimum and what
is the maximum.
>
> Howard Truitt
> Camilla, Ga.
> 86 8V92 PT40
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Tom Warner
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 1:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Batteries not charging...
>
>
> Al if you let the batteries get down to 10 volts its very possible
> that you destroyed the batteries. Clean the posts as John suggested
> and then plug it into shore power. Monitor the voltage acorss the
> batteries and if it is at least 13.2 volts DC for a period of time
> then the charger is working fine. Then if they dont hold a charge
> better replace them.
>
> tom warner
> 1982 Bluebird
> Vernon center,NY
>
> At 12:56 PM 11/9/2005, you wrote:
> >The batteries are under a year and the water levels are to the top.
> >That's actually a very good suggestion, I'll give it a try.
> >
> >
> >Al S.
> >1981 31ft FC
> >NM
> >
> >
> >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "The Whistleworks"
> >whistleworks@p... wrote:
> > >
> > > Al, are you plugged into shore power , try cleaning battery posts
> >and clamps? How old are the batteries? John B
> > > 88 FC
> > > Carlsbad, NM
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: geez_al
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:16 AM
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Batteries not charging...
> > >
> > >
> > > I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.
> > >
> > > My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
> > > every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the last
> > > time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the way
> > > down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.
> > >
> > > The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
> > > batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
> > > peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is off,
> > > the low volt relay still trips.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Al S.
> > > 1981 31ft FC
> > > NM
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive
> >maintenance
> > > Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles
> >Automotive radiators
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
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[rogerwwebb]

I ran into a similar problem with my 91 and discovered the problem to be one
dead (fried) battery in the bank of three engine batteries. Checking the
voltage with the batteries tied together gave a false impression of adequate
charge. So, you might want to check each battery individually when you're
cleaning the connections/posts. Roger WebbCedar Rapids, IA91 WL
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "geez_al" wrote:
>
> I everyone, I ran into a problem that is sort of confusing me.
>
> My bus has been sitting now for a few months. I've been running it
> every few weeks to kep everything charged and lubricated but the last
> time, I left the inverter on and it drained the batteries all the way
> down to about 10 volts and I had to jump start it.
>
> The alternator is working as normal when running but it seems the
> batteries just can't hold a charge. Even after running for extended
> peroids of time (trip to Mississippi from NM) when the engine is off,
> the low volt relay still trips.
>
> Any suggestions? I don't think there is a short anywhere.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Al S.
> 1981 31ft FC
> NM
>



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

[Tom Warner]

Howard charging batteries is a lot more complicated then it looks on
the surface and it makes a difference whether you are using a 3 stage
charger like the Xantrex True charge 40 or the old battery boilers BB
put in the coaches. Its easier to just read what the experts have
compiled about batteries and charging then for me to explain it. I
would print out the Trojan Battery information on charging at
http://tinyurl.com/978qn
If this doesnt explain it to your satisfaction then I can help.

Tom Warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY




At 01:15 PM 11/9/2005, you wrote:
>Tom,
>
>In your answer to Al you said at least 13.2 vdc What is the optimum
>and what is the maximum.
>
>Howard Truitt
>Camilla, Ga.
>86 8V92 PT40
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Tom Warner
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 1:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Batteries not charging...
>
>
> Al if you let the batteries get down to 10 volts its very possible
> that you destroyed the batteries. Clean the posts as John suggested
> and then plug it into shore power. Monitor the voltage acorss the
> batteries and if it is at least 13.2 volts DC for a period of time
> then the charger is working fine. Then if they dont hold a charge
> better replace them.
>
> tom warner
> 1982 Bluebird
> Vernon center,NY
>
> At 12:56 PM 11/9/2005, you wrote:
> >The batteries are under a year and the water levels are to the top.
> >That's actually a very good suggestion, I'll give it a try.
> >
> >
> >Al S.
> >1981 31ft FC
> >NM