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Topic: Urgent Battery Question (Read 2056 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Urgent Battery Question

Reply #20 –
Just another quick report on our neighbors, since SO many of you on The Forum have been SO great.  Thank you!  YOU are the light of Christmas this year (although Susan & I really appreciate your kind words, Roger).

    • We checked with the couple next door right after posting to The Forum this morning. They were warm enough overnight, although they discovered what many of you told us, using what you called "the salesman's DC disconnect switch" wasn't a good move.  Sorry I didn't know better, to advise them.
    • As posted, she started the generator this morning, with the results so many of you said would be the case.  She also tried to start the big engine, but either their engine batteries are totally dead or (could this happen?) the mid-20s overnight temps made it impossible to start the engine.
    • They went to church with their son this morning, and thankfully, he's more mechanical/electrical than I am.  He came back to the coach with them and confirmed the inverter/charger is toast (it was a Freedom 25 — thanks for the identification J.D. Stevens). He's getting an inverter to install.
    • We just called them to be sure they are OK tonight (heat, hot water). They said "yes."  We invited them over, take our bed and we would sleep in the living room, but she said they're fine.  It is supposed to be warmer tonight.  We'll check on them in the a.m.
    [/list]

    Thank you again, everyone who responded so quickly (and Neal, thank you, so comprehensively and with the offer of phone support!).  We'll keep you posted.  I half suspect they'll still end up with a powerful charger/smart charger (thanks to so many who identified this course of action).  More when I know more, just because this is a good Christmas story because of ALL of you.


    Richard & Susan

    Re: Urgent Battery Question

    Reply #21 –
    if at all possible, get a decent charger on both banks of batteries tonight - is there any chargers in the campground for maintenance to borrow?  could be a lot of very expensive batteries quickly going bad if all are discharged.

    if equipped, turn on the 110V engine block heater to begin to preheat engine. then if no other charger available, hook toad battery to chassis batteries (the ones that start the main engine that drives the coach) with standard jumper cables  and let the toad idle for an hour, with cables hooked to the chassis batteries. That along with the preheat should allow the main engine to fire. The alternator will charge up the house and chassis batteries (might take a while) and there by get the aqua hot working overnight and potentially saving the batteries (if it already isn't too late)

    Others may object to idling the diesel for a long time to charge batteries, but OTR truckers often idle their rigs all night while they sleep in cold weather.

    good luck!

    Re: Urgent Battery Question

    Reply #22 –
    I love this forum.

    Re: Urgent Battery Question

    Reply #23 –
    I had my Freedom 25 crash and burn a number of years ago. I was able to get it repaired for about $100.00 (was diodes). That was way cheaper then getting a new one. Of course I was not living in it full time and the temps were not in the 20's

    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 ?

    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.

    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!

    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?

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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,

    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.

    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

    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.
     

    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.