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Topic: Dead Batteries (Read 676 times) previous topic - next topic

Dead Batteries

Greetings, my rig has been sitting for over three weeks. I unwittingly left the TV power switch and a tiny light on. One of the two batteries had power after charging, which meant it must be an accessory battery because the two dash fans worked as did the dash stereo, the start battery was dead, wouldnt even charge the dash board, everything on the dashboard was dead. I plan on replacing both batteries. My rig's previous owner yanked out the diesel engine ( it tore itself apart somewhere in Mississippi) and installed a Ford 460. Yeah I know I can hear all you guys groaning from here. Any ways, Im hoping that just replacing both batteries will solve the problem. I'm hoping there isnt some secret switch somewhere that was flipped when the start battery went totally dead. The fuses all look good, so I'm praying it is just  a really cell dead start battery. Also what sized batteries should I install to ensure reliable starts. She is a grand old lady that deserves all the love I can bestow upon her, hence the reason I keep her. I'm sure a lot of older readers understand where I'm at. It's kinda like that cartoon says, she wanders all over the road, she gets crappy gas mileage, and it's a thousand dollars every time she goes into the shop, but gawd I lover her. The magic number for when you ask is 6. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
EMT living in Missouri. Recently purchased 1987 Gran Villa 36 Ft. long,460 Ford engine with 40,000 miles on it, new tranny has 3000 miles on it, coach has 75000 miles on it, new 5000 watt genny new fridge, new tires. Am both excited and scared out of my wits at the size of this beast. Love it but need time to become accustomed to it's size.  I'm sure it will take time to experience all the secrets this RV has to offer. Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #1 –
Did the "salesman" switch get turned (usually located inside by the door?
Next I would dis-connect all the battery's and individually charge to full strength, let it sit for about 1/2hour , then check each with a load on it.
Battery's should read about 12.8 volts.
I don't know how many or of what size your battery's are but you should only need one start battery with the 460 gas engine. I owned a 79 Ford E350 QuadraVan with the 460 engine, one battery turned it over just fine.
Your house battery's should be at least 2, 12v, deep cycle battery's.
Depending on how old they are I would replace all so you are on a good starting position to find the problem or the battery's alone could be your problem.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #2 –
Thank you, thats the plan, to replace both engine batteries. Hopefully that will solve the problem.
EMT living in Missouri. Recently purchased 1987 Gran Villa 36 Ft. long,460 Ford engine with 40,000 miles on it, new tranny has 3000 miles on it, coach has 75000 miles on it, new 5000 watt genny new fridge, new tires. Am both excited and scared out of my wits at the size of this beast. Love it but need time to become accustomed to it's size.  I'm sure it will take time to experience all the secrets this RV has to offer. Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #3 –
There is something else wrong. On that model Foretravel the ONLY thing that connects to the start battery is the dash cigarette lighter. You should be able to run the house batteries dead without affecting the start battery. Or you left the boost switch on which usually happens if the light bulb burned out.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #4 –
Check headlights or the reading light above the drivers window or dash lights. Something is on to run down good chassis batteries
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #5 –
If the PO swapped the engine from Diesel to Gas. There is no telling what changes were made to the wiring as well. Could be a fun one to troubleshoot. Probably easier to just make sure there is something to keep the batteries charged when parked. Either a battery maintainer or a solar panel, depending on what's available.
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #6 –
First place to check might be the isolator in the engine bay . Simply look for all of the cables on the same post.
If not in the same post , check for the same voltage on all of the post of the isolator.  Charge one battery and start reading voltage around the bus .

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #7 –
Use battery disconnect switch ?

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #8 –
I left the TV booster switch on, it was still on when I returned to the coach, as well as one of those tiny 12 volt lights inside, left one on. They were both working when I arrived after three weeks. Tried jumping the two batteries, no luck, dash panel instruments wouldn't even turn on. There was a guy there with  a fancy new hand held meter. We tested the batteries, he said the start battery was dead even after trying to jump them for twenty minutes. Batteries seemed to have spark in them. Am worried it'll be more than just a dead battery. ill try to get up there this week and check again.
EMT living in Missouri. Recently purchased 1987 Gran Villa 36 Ft. long,460 Ford engine with 40,000 miles on it, new tranny has 3000 miles on it, coach has 75000 miles on it, new 5000 watt genny new fridge, new tires. Am both excited and scared out of my wits at the size of this beast. Love it but need time to become accustomed to it's size.  I'm sure it will take time to experience all the secrets this RV has to offer. Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #9 –
After you get them charged, buy a battery disconnect switch to use when you leave coach.

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #10 –
More news on the start front. I was able to get it started by switching one of the batteries. Then found out the previous owner had switched the batteries around to where the deep cycle batteries were the start batteries and the start batteries were the house batteries. GRRRRR I learned a whole new language Ill tell ya. Anyway I got her runnin and drove her home with the generator running and the air conditioner keeping it below tropical jungle temps. Went out today, she stared right up, nothing 110 works in the rig. Fuse panel looks good, all four batteries are fully charged, but no air, no TV, nothing 110 is working. Always something Ill tell ya. Gonna be busy figuring this one out. Thank you to all of you for your helpful advice.  I saw a white Foretravel  RV on Highway 44 yesterday, pretty rig, an older model similar to mine.
EMT living in Missouri. Recently purchased 1987 Gran Villa 36 Ft. long,460 Ford engine with 40,000 miles on it, new tranny has 3000 miles on it, coach has 75000 miles on it, new 5000 watt genny new fridge, new tires. Am both excited and scared out of my wits at the size of this beast. Love it but need time to become accustomed to it's size.  I'm sure it will take time to experience all the secrets this RV has to offer. Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #11 –
What plug are you plugged into, 20 amp, 30 amp, 50 amp? You could have a bad transfer switch or tripped the breaker that you are plugged into.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins
 

Re: Dead Batteries

Reply #12 –
GW,
 You need to get a volt/ohm meter and start playing dot to dot.  Start at the pedestal and check your voltage. Progress to the RV plug then to the transfer switch. This way you can figure out where the electricity stops. It could be the breaker at the pedestal and not even in the RV.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."