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Topic: Missing Batteries (Read 784 times) previous topic - next topic

Missing Batteries

Hello all,

I am new to the forum and new to RV ownership. I recently purchased a 1986 Grand Villa. It seems the electrical system has been heavily modified and I need some guidance to get it back in order. I know there should be 2 battery banks. One in the front under the steps, one in the rear compartment closest to the engine. The rear compartment has only cables lying inside, the positive cables leading into an Exide Inverter Fuse. I assumed the chassis batteries would be nearest the engine, but i don't know why chassis batteries would lead to an inverter fuse. The batteries up front, under the steps, are the only set in operation. They power everything and start the engine. So the big question here is, are the batteries I have house batteries or chassis batteries? And what have they done to make everything operate from them? I want to take my RV boondocking, but it's impossible if I don't know for sure if I'll be able to start the engine due to the fact I don't have a dedicated engine starting battery.
Eric Harrison
1986 Grand Villa 36' ORED - build #2616
Cat 3208
Rome, Georgia

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #1 –
Welcome being a holiday some maybe slow to answer but many on this forum can assist.  Older Foretravels are great machines.
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #2 –
Greetings New Owner(s).

As Dan said, a comprehensive answer may be slow showing up, due to Holiday activities.

Meanwhile, may I make a few suggestions to help you get acquainted with the Forum.

First, if you will add some info to your "signature", it will make it easier for other members to assist you.  Click "My Account" in the upper right of screen, then "Forum Profile".  This info will show up at the bottom of each of your posts, under (hopefully) your name.

Next, if you haven't already discovered it, take a look at Beamalarm.com/Technical Help.  You will find this is a invaluable source of information about Foretravel coaches.  It may not always answer your question, but it's a good place to start looking!

Foretravel Motorhome technical help and information links

Try using the very powerful "Search" function of the Forum.  It sometimes takes a while to find the right "search parameter", but you will get the hang of it.  Almost every problem that can happen, has happened to some member at some time, and if they posted it then the solution may be out there waiting for you to find it.  For instance, to answer your present question, you might try searching for "Gran Villa battery", or "GV battery location", or "1986 Gran Villa".  You might stumble across the exact answer you seek.

These old coaches have often had several owners, and it is not uncommon to encounter "custom owner modifications".  Part of the fun is trying to figure out what the prior owners did, and if it was a good thing, or not...  The battery setup on older GV's, in particular, could be quite varied.  Batteries could be found in several different places on the coach, and trying to figure out what battery does what can be tricky.  If your coach has a battery compartment under the steps, and another one back near the engine (on either side), then I think the ones under the steps are usually your "engine start" batteries.  I could be wrong about this.  If your single set of batteries is running everything, this could be done by leaving the "BOOST" switch engaged all the time (if you have a boost switch).  OR, the battery circuits have been "hard wired" together, for whatever reason.

If you have a Owner's Manual for your coach, it should have a wiring diagram that would be helpful.  If you don't have a wiring diagram, you need to get one.  Working on the electrical system without a schematic is challenging, time consuming, and frustrating.

Stay tuned for more specific answers.  Good luck with your new coach!
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: Missing Batteries

Reply #3 –
Welcome to the Foreforum.

Please tell us exactly which model GV you have.  This link may help: Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year

There were both gas and diesel GV's made, so there were substantial differences is how they were wired. 

Do you have any of the manuals that came with the coach?
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: Missing Batteries

Reply #4 –
I had an 87 ORED 40'. It had all 3 batteries under the step, all 8 d's. One was the start battery and the other 2 were for the house.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #5 –
Twig, my 88 had 2.. always whish for 3rd.. ^.^d

As Brett said gas vs diesel determine a lot... but hooked to an inverter.. now that's a mess either way.

BUT assistance is available here, Merry Christmas
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #6 –
fouroureye, you may be right. It was 10 years ago. Probably was 2 8d's and I replaced one with 2 golf carts for house batteries. Seems like there wasn't room for 3 8 d's.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #7 –
Under steps is probably the only location for both battery banks.  so the inverter fuse is probably where some other electronic items was stored, like inverter, battery charger.
The under step area needs to be not compromised from rust, etc as it will probably hold 3 heavy batteries.

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #8 –
Thank you all. I updated my signature. My unit is a 36' ORED with Cat 3208 Turbo. If I've looked at the plate correctly, the build number is 2616. I do have a boost switch, but not sure if it is functional. I am feeling more certain that the batteries I'm missing are house batteries. It looks like they removed an inverter at some point. Possibly removed the boost solenoid and straight wired that connection. I'm going to dig a little deeper and I'll try to post a couple of photos. I have a lot of documentation on the individual components (leveling system, AC units, etc) and service records, but no wiring diagrams or owners manual.
Eric Harrison
1986 Grand Villa 36' ORED - build #2616
Cat 3208
Rome, Georgia

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Under steps is probably the only location for both battery banks.  so the inverter fuse is probably where some other electronic items was stored, like inverter, battery charger.
The under step area needs to be not compromised from rust, etc as it will probably hold 3 heavy batteries.
There are cables with battery terminals in the rear compartment. At some point, there were definitely batteries there. Under the steps are 2 large truck batteries with no room for anything else.
Eric Harrison
1986 Grand Villa 36' ORED - build #2616
Cat 3208
Rome, Georgia

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #10 –
There were probably some added house batteries. The CAT uses only a single start battery. '86 Grand Villas did not come with an inverter, only a converter. The boost solenoid would be with the batteries under the stairs.

If you have no 12V to the house, make sure the salesman switch is ON.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #11 –

Batteries under the steps
Eric Harrison
1986 Grand Villa 36' ORED - build #2616
Cat 3208
Rome, Georgia

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #12 –

Rear compartment
Eric Harrison
1986 Grand Villa 36' ORED - build #2616
Cat 3208
Rome, Georgia

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #13 –
Seems I remember a post on here about a compartment back there being empty
and someone was making it into a battery compartment. This maybe what happened
along the way. I have an older coach and originally I think the batteries under the step
were the only ones on the coach. I am guessing the PO (previous owner) added an
inverter ( note the fuse that the positive cable goes to says inverter) and your post
says that there is no inverter now. If a battery there was needed, something would not
be working. These older coaches were built using the KISS principle without all the bells
and whistles that the owners of the newer coaches have.

I'd disconnect one  of your batteries and see if it is start or coach. Then the other.
If one feeds one system and one the other (as it would have been on older coaches)
you should be good to go. You should have a battery voltage meter on the inside in
the kitchen area. When dry camping you can keep an eye on your battery drain. I have
an '84 FT on an Oshkosh chasis. Yours maybe different.

Carter
Nac       

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #14 –
Easiest way would be to turn on the headlights and see which battery's voltage drops. That would be the start battery.

In MY '87, the rear most battery was the start. Meaning: of the two under the stairs.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.
 

Re: Missing Batteries

Reply #15 –
Twig I think you're correct. The left battery is the starter, other is the house battery. I think they replaced the solenoid at some point and may not have reconnected the wires in the correct locations.
Eric Harrison
1986 Grand Villa 36' ORED - build #2616
Cat 3208
Rome, Georgia