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Topic: 89 U280 Electrical help (Read 955 times) previous topic - next topic

89 U280 Electrical help

Hi,

I need some help on an electrical issue.  This winter, my U280 in storage, I plugged it in overnight to charge up the batteries.  I came back about 24 hours later and the battery compartment was "warm" with a couple of the batteries (one brand new engine battery, two 4 yr old house batteries) kinda bubbling like soda pop.  one of the caps had popped off one of the batteries.  It looked like I was overcharging and "boiling" the batteries.

4 yrs ago I put in new house batteries and a brand new power dynamics converter- the factory original one boiled the batteries and blew the top off one of them.  I'm wondering if this scenario is repeating?   

Other thought is one of the two older house batteries has a dead cell?

Open to ideas and suggestions going forward.

Thanks,
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: 89 U280 Electrical help

Reply #1 –

You really need to disconnect the batteries and test them individually with a load test. First, they need to be fully charged (assuming they will take a charge). Then a known load is applied for a set amount of time. At the end of the time, voltage is read and then you can calculate the amp hour capacity. Or you can get a load tester that makes it much simpler ::)
Such as; Amazon.com: Auto Meter (SB-5/2) 800 Amp Variable Load Battery/Electrical...
Or the one I bought (I don't think I got it from this place though); Solar 1000 Amp Carbon Pile Load Tester
Don

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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: 89 U280 Electrical help

Reply #2 –
What was voltage reading at the batteries when this happened?

Either one battery is bad OR they are being overcharged by the converter providing too high a voltage.
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: 89 U280 Electrical help

Reply #3 –
Either one battery is bad OR they are being overcharged by the converter providing too high a voltage.

Yep, that was the two scenarios I laid out.    I will hook up electrical for a couple hours and pull the batteries and have them tested.  I'd have done this already but FT is at the back of the building and its a long way to carry those batteries  :(

Thanks all!
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: 89 U280 Electrical help

Reply #4 –
nt
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: 89 U280 Electrical help

Reply #5 –
if you have the progressive dynamics convertor for $30 you can buy a plug in module that converts it to a 4 stage smart charger  (but does not have a battery temp sensor)  If you have the smart module is the LED light on constant?
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: 89 U280 Electrical help

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Old phart phred –
if you have the progressive dynamics convertor for $30 you can buy a plug in module that converts it to a 4 stage smart charger  (but does not have a battery temp sensor)  If you have the smart module is the LED light on constant?
We have the OEM converter installed and still working well. It keeps the house at about 13.5 volts but the plug-in module sounds good. How about a link to the site? Thanks in advance.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: 89 U280 Electrical help

Reply #8 –
The smart 4 stage module is only for the inteli-power 9100 series. It is called the Charge Wizard. It has a 4 pin connector that just plugs into the convertor with small gauge wiring so 5 minute install time with no programming. My guess it only enables features already built into the convertor unit, including a desulfication mode.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake