I have to start the coach every so often, to air up my tanks when i get an "excessive Slope" message. Went to start up and the retarder light was flashing with the transmission display shown here.
It wouldn't even respond to the key.
Then I heard a bang from out back
I will get the book out, but need all the help I can get.
The coach reads out of level on pretty level ground, so I may have a leak.
The oil light was on when I turned the key.
I started out wanting to wash the coach today.
Looks like I might be making other plans.
Start by checking engine battery voltage.
Don't have load tester with me
Three batteries
Best method to check?
I put charger on
Fired up
Amen
If you don't have a volt meter with you you could turn on the headlight and see how bright they
are and then try and start the rig and if the lights go out your batteries are dead or a bad connection
or a starter that is shorting out inside. Also what was the bang.
I have a volt meter
I said I did not have a load tester with me
My question was what would be the best procedure
Should I charge the batteries, separate the three, and test each one WITHOUT a load tester?
Unless you need to be somewhere time is on your side so use it to your advantage.
Charge the batteries to 100% state of charge. Disconnect them from each other. After 3 hours measure and record the voltages. Come back 24 hours later and measure the voltages again. If the same voltage both times battery capacity is probably still good. Or make up a 2A load out of a light bulb or two and clip it to one of the batteries. So do the math for your battery and run enough hours to withdraw enough electrons to equal 25% of capacity. Stop the process, wait an hour and measure the voltage. Battery University has the most honest data I've been able to find.
FWIW battery capacity in amp hours is usually measured at 2, 10, or 20 amp current flow. Battery capacity at full cranking current draw is much less than at the 2A rate. There's math that involves exponents dating back to the 1880s.
Ais old guy said you do have a load tester on your coach. Turn the headlights on go to start it if the headlights dim way out then you have bad batteries. Glenn don't you have a trickles charger or something to keep your start batteries topped up? If not then keep the charger on it to do so. Do you have one of those voltage testers that you plug into a cigarette lighter that reads the voltage? Plug it in if you do and try to start and see what the voltage does. With lead acid batteries you will always see a voltage dip with that kind of a load, but it should still stay above 12 volts. If it doesn't and you recently charged the batteries and they still are not performing like they should you need new batteries. A lot of them are made in Mexico so if you're still down there you should be able to get some in Mazatlan. As old tool maker said amp hour capacity isn't important as cold cranking ability... Well I at least I'm paraphrasing him.
Definitely get it sorted out before you leave Mazatlan because that would be no bueno on the road.
Thanks guys. Your help is appreciated
Or just take them to your local auto parts store and get them to check them and sell you new batteries or they generally will charge for free and return ready to go.