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Topic: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working on  (Read 425 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Electrical [Only some...

Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working on

[New topic created from another - Michelle]

Quote from: Dub –
Putting lids on things and taking a break between issues, I hope a long one. I started out the thread admitting to being green on 110 ac details. Thought came to me that after having 2 of these rigs covering 13 years, this is the first time I've ever had the cover off the ATS. That in itself is uncommon. What isn't uncommon is an old bird that hasn't been into every system and it is a lot of help when people chime in with experiences they have come across when they were in the midst of such. I don't take this group I've been a part of for so long for granted, instead the group just continues to come thru and verify what we've known all along, if you have a Foretravel you need to be a member of this group whether you know it or not... Thanks..

I empathize with you Dub, for me electrical is a complete mystery.  We just got back from a trip to the western slope of Colorado and after 240 miles yesterday the batteries were almost flat this morning. We plugged in to 50 amps all night and had to put the boost on to start, dash meter was showing 11 amps.
The only up side is my son in-law is an electrical engineer, computer wiz and heaven only knows what else so he'll be over this week. They will get the coach when we downsize so he's more than happy to help.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working on

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Olde English –
I empathize with you Dub, for me electrical is a complete mystery.  We just got back from a trip to the western slope of Colorado and after 240 miles yesterday the batteries were almost flat this morning. We plugged in to 50 amps all night and had to put the boost on to start, dash meter was showing 11 amps.

So chassis/start batteries almost completely discharged despite the drive?  I'd start with checking chassis battery connections to make sure they're clean and tight, then move on to the alternator to make sure it's working.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working on

Reply #2 –
Terminals are squeaky clean and brass and tight.
Wait for the son in law, I've disconnected the batteries and I'll charge em up tomorrow and then we'll see.
So start at the back pulling connections and cleaning and re connecting and testing and I'm already tired haha
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working on

Reply #3 –
Wonder boy tested every wire and connection, I stood back in awe. We had the motor running and adding a touch of throttle when he called for it.
Here's a picture of the culprit, new one and then he crimped the connectors and now everything works just fine.
$7.04 for the part and less then an hour fiddling.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #4 –
Where was that relay, and what does it control? Just asking for future reference.
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #5 –
Not real sure what it specifically does however a wire runs back to the sense terminal on the alternator, and the do hicky mounts on the front of the engine space on the wall under the bed.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #6 –
Ah, Thanks. A sticky do hicky will get you every time. Sounds like it's a relay to give the alternator the voltage signal to start charging. If that was bad, it would make sense that the alternator didn't charge the batteries because it wasn't seeing the voltage signal.
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Olde English –
Not real sure what it specifically does however a wire runs back to the sense terminal on the alternator...
Quote from: kgrover –
Sounds like it's a relay to give the alternator the voltage signal to start charging.
Not to be picky, but if the purpose of the relay wire was to tell the alternator to "start charging" then it would be connected to the EXCITE terminal.  If, instead, the wire actually is connected to the SENSE terminal, that wouldn't make any sense, because the SENSE terminal wire should be HOT all the time.  Connecting the SENSE wire to a relay would be nonsensical.  8)
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #8 –
Lets not start a trend,some of us are electricly challenged,no more do hicky talk,call a relay a relay.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #9 –
Must be why my son in law came over and fixed it for me as I don't know the difference between a sense terminal and an excite terminal. I'm truly sorry for not understanding the difference between a relay and a regulator.
But what I'm really really sorry about is some people have a broken humourarse.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #10 –
I went out to the coach to continue post trip cleanup, yesterday I disconnected both batteries. I looked over towards the dashboard and the stereo was lit up mmm, no battery power ?
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #11 –
Hopefully just on temporally from capacitor. Otherwise we've had ET and ghost suggestions when this happened before.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Olde English –
I went out to the coach to continue post trip cleanup, yesterday I disconnected both batteries. I looked over towards the dashboard and the stereo was lit up mmm, no battery power ?

Do you have a battery maintainer for your start batteries such as a Trik- L- Charge could be hooked up to your isolator between chassis and coach posts.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #13 –
Way to go Dug, there's a solar panel on the roof for trickle charging I suppose that could be the source ? As I've stated before electrical systems are for the most part a mystery to me and I lucked out with my son in law !
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.
 

Re: Chassis batteries aren't charging [SPLIT from Re: Electrical [Only some 120VAC items are working

Reply #14 –
Solar would keep the radio on.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport