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Topic: Urgent Battery Question (Read 1797 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #25 –
If he's just getting an inverter he's not gonna fix ANYTHING. He needs to get one with a charger built in, or a stand alone charger. They reall don't need an inverter at all if I understand their situation correctly.
It makes no sense to me, how did the generator start with the batteries to low to turn on the lights ?
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #26 –
Quote from: toyman –
If he's just getting an inverter he's not gonna fix ANYTHING. He needs to get one with a charger built in, or a stand alone charger. They reall don't need an inverter at all if I understand their situation correctly.
It makes no sense to me, how did the generator start with the batteries to low to turn on the lights ?

I was wondering that myself ;)  Our generator does not start easily in the cold weather.

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #27 –
When my batteries get too low for the inverter to operate the generator still starts easily.  I've tested this in the mid 20's.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #28 –
Toyman, Mark,

My bad (wording). I meant an inverter/charger combination unit, since that's all I've even seen in my limited experience. Thanks for helping clarify for the Forum thread.

And as a morning update for everyone . . .

Don't know more yet, in that they are out on a laundry run in town. When they return, I'll go over the latest from The Forum with them.  It's possible while they are out they MAY be looking for a good smart charger with adequate amperage. We didn't talk this a.m.  I just saw their car leave.

Again, thanks to all for caring!
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #29 –
In my 1997 U295 I have the Freedom 25  charger / Inverter.  The charger and inverter can be turned on and off from the control that is inside the coach.  Could it be the charger was turned off by accident at the control?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #30 –
Quote from: turbojack –
In my 1997 U295 I have the Freedom 25  charger / Inverter.  The charger and inverter can be turned on and off from the control that is inside the coach.  Could it be the charger was turned off by accident at the control?

Worth checking!  The wife is pretty savvy and they have been full-timing for a long time.  So, I'm going to guess she checked, but it won't hurt to ask when we make our check-in later this afternoon to be sure they're OK tonight.
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #31 –
I traveled to see Hans and Marget a couple of weeks ago to install a 3rd valve and to have Hans look into why my inverter wasn't working. Hans found that a plastic bin in the basement had pushed the power switch off. All good now.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Mark D –
I was wondering that myself ;)  Our generator does not start easily in the cold weather.

Mark, I don't know if you have the Isuzu or Kubota but my 8kw with an Isuzu 3LB1engine has started up just fine in subzero weather, just a little white smoke at startup until it warms up.  Have never had it not start on the first try.  You might check out your glow plugs to see if they are all operational.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #33 –
Quote from: rsihnhold –

Mark, I don't know if you have the Isuzu or Kubota but my 8kw with an Isuzu 3LB1engine has started up just fine in subzero weather, just a little white smoke at startup until it warms up.  Have never had it not start on the first try.  You might check out your glow plugs to see if they are all operational.

Mine is the larger Isuzu 3LD1.  It DID start fine in subzero weather but one of the cylinders was missing for about 15-20 seconds and it was spewing epic clouds of white smoke.  In my case, I am convinced that one of the glow plugs was not properly connected.  I unbolted the strap and reconnected it and it fires up very quickly now.  Individually checking resistance of the glow plugs showed them all to be fine.

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #34 –
FWIW,
I believe the generator running will only provide power to the charger inverter.  Running the cummins will charge the batteries through the engine alternator.  If I am wrong, I apologize but this is what I believe to be the case for my FT. 

I had problems with my Freedom 25 charger inverter.  I took it out and mailed it to a place called M&M RV electronics in Ohio City, Ohio.  They returned it and this has been several months ago and so far so good.  No more discharged batteries.  This is assuming there is a real problem with the unit vs turning off the wrong switch. 

I wanted to mention this as it is cheaper than a new charger inverter.  I realize that this  is a modified sine wave vs a newer "true sine wave" inverter.  This did cost about $500 including shipping.  I just wanted to mention this option for consideration.

Best of travels,
Best of Travels

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #35 –
Quote from: drcscruggs –
FWIW,
I believe the generator running will only provide power to the charger inverter.  Running the cummins will charge the batteries through the engine alternator. 

Absolutely correct. Yes, from the factory, the alternator charges both battery banks (separated by the diode-based battery isolator.

The converter or inverter/charger charges only the house bank. 

Engaging the battery boost switch will allow the converter or inverter/charger to charge the chassis battery as well when on shore power or generator.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #36 –
Brett...I believe reading in our 95 U300 that the chassis and house batteries are charged when on shore power, the 94 and down FT's need the boost switch on for chassis and house charging.

Please correct me if I read it wrong.

Hans
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Hans&Marjet –
Brett...I believe reading in our 95 U300 that the chassis and house batteries are charged when on shore power, the 94 and down FT's need the boost switch on for chassis and house charging.

Our 1995  U320 was originally set up to charge only the house batteries when plugged in to shore power. The boost switch needed to be on to charge the chassis batteries from shore power. I added a separate automatic charger (purchased at West Marine) to charge  the chassis batteries when on shore power.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186
 

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #38 –
Hans,

As David said, suspect from the factory shore power/generator only charge the house bank.

What "device" does your coach have to charge the chassis battery.

As many have discovered, many prior owners have "fixed" this short sighted issue (not making accommodations for the chassis batteries to be charged from shore power/generator. 

There are a number of good ways to achieve this.

BTW, Mike, your 240 is pretty unique, with a very high end smart charger with separate direct output to both banks. Must be a previous owner liked yacht equipment instead of a "dumb" converter that was OE.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020