Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: jor on January 26, 2011, 08:46:32 pm

Title: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: jor on January 26, 2011, 08:46:32 pm
Follow up from previous posts

OK. Let's see... First I noticed that my boost switch wasn't working properly. As I was trying to fix that I noticed that my coach battery was getting 15.5v when plugged into my 15 amp house outlet or running on the generator. This was one of the wtf moments. I started on the boost first. After buying and installing a new solenoid I discovered that the problem was simply a bad ground on the solenoid. Put the old one back in properly grounded - good as new. Now, onto the overcharge. As you might suspect, the culprit was a bad converter, probably the original in this 93 225. I replaced it with an 80w four stage. Also added a Trikl deal for good measure. Now, all is well. The coach is charging as it should and the starter batteries are bleeding a bit off of that charge. My back's a little sore though. I think the Foretravel engineer that placed the converter must have been some kind of sadist. I feel great. Think I'll have a cold one.

Oh, for anyone that replaces the stock 225 or 240 with a Progressive Dynamics 80 amp, you have to change out your 15a outlet to a 20a. The metal box is an improvement anyhow. Also, you get a "pendant" which is a little rinky dink monitor and manual override. That's what the phone cable is in the photo. I haven't figured out where I'm going to mount it.
jor

(https://www.foreforums.com/imagecache.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi102.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fm105%2Fjoroiga%2F100_0053.jpg&hash=d756315117fc27b7a970baa05afc23a0" rel="cached" data-hash="d756315117fc27b7a970baa05afc23a0" data-warn="External image, click here to view original" data-url="http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m105/joroiga/100_0053.jpg)
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Title: Re: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: Peter & Beth on January 26, 2011, 08:53:02 pm
Jor,  That's Great!  You are now dubbed an official ForeTechie (FT for short).  Good to hear you're solving many of your coach's aches & pains from the past & old age...
Title: Re: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: Michelle on January 26, 2011, 09:04:45 pm
After buying and installing a new solenoid I discovered that the problem was simply a bad ground on the solenoid. Put the old one back in properly grounded - good as new. Now, onto the overcharge. As you might suspect, the culprit was a bad converter, probably the original in this 93 225. I replaced it with an 80w four stage. Also added a Trikl deal for good measure. Now, all is well. The coach is charging as it should and the starter batteries are bleeding a bit off of that charge. My back's a little sore though. I think the Foretravel engineer that placed the converter must have been some kind of sadist. I feel great. Think I'll have a cold one.

Wow - great job!  And you definitely deserve that cold one!

Michelle
Title: Re: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: jeff on January 26, 2011, 09:45:59 pm
Jor,

Bet you never thought you would be having so much fun?  You have done an incredible amount of improvements to our old coach..Good to see it went to someone who really enjoys tinkering (is that a word?) .  Thanks for all the updates
Title: Re: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: PatC on January 27, 2011, 12:37:21 am
Jor,
But where is everything else that is suppose to be in that compartment???  Much more stripped than mine is.  I had a board that ran across the floor where the old converter was mounted.  And the vacumn cleaner was mounted down there too.  But thanks, now I have a better idea of where to look for the  solenoid.  Have not done it yet, but I am going to put the charge "pendant" up in the coach where it is easier to keep a eye on. 

Nice job!!
Title: Re: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: jor on January 27, 2011, 09:44:52 am
Quote
ut where is everything else that is suppose to be in that compartment?
Yours must be different, Pat. The converter is actually mounted to the back side of the entry step. On that side, the only access to the compartment is a foot or so space aft of the fuel tank. Besides the converter and outlet, only the onboard air valve is in there. On mine, the thoughtful previous owner (JeffS) installed a joey bed, to his everlasting credit. Today, I'm reinstalling that sucker; it's heavy!
jor

Title: Re: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: bbeane on January 31, 2011, 09:29:13 pm
Wow if that plate with the boost solenoid is in your engine compartment, please come work on mine.
looks great.
Title: Re: Charging and Boost Problem Solved
Post by: jor on February 01, 2011, 09:02:51 am
Quote
if that plate with the boost solenoid is in your engine compartment
Nah. That's the battery compartment on a 225. Wish the engine compartment was that squared away.
jor