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Topic: Darn. New batteries is the best possible outcome (Read 646 times) previous topic - next topic

Darn. New batteries is the best possible outcome

Moby fired right up in first half revolution as always, week before last. This morning I went to fire it up and ruh..ruh.. solenoid. put a charger on what I am pretty sure is the start battery and it shows 65%. wet cells and they look fine. I'm gonna leave the charger on there for awhile and see if anything changes. These batteries are I think 7 years old so they may be due in any case but I can't help but wonder why we've gone from 3 years of perfect behavior to no go in a couple weeks, plugged in for most of that time...
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: Darn. New batteries is the best possible outcome

Reply #1 –
Its Christmas and Moby wants some shinny new batteries.

John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Darn. New batteries is the best possible outcome

Reply #2 –
Quote from: twobus –
  These batteries are I think 7 years old
Happy New Year, out with the old and on to the new.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Darn. New batteries is the best possible outcome

Reply #3 –
The engine batteries are not charged while plugged in unless the boost switch is energized or an additional charger has been installed.
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: Darn. New batteries is the best possible outcome

Reply #4 –
I never recommend the boost switch unless in an emergency start situation. I did use it once about 5 years ago in Yellowstone with the temps in the teens. No glow plugs, no heated screen, bad block heater, etc on the Detroit so it took a while using the engine and coach batteries.

The boost solenoid draws a lot of juice even if not passing a amperage through it, enough to burn your hand after an hour or so. You just shorten the life of the solenoid and create a fire possibility. Constant duty must be taken with a grain of salt. Also, engine batteries and coach batteries may be a different type like in my case and require different float voltages. A latching solenoid would work but you would still have both batteries receiving the same voltage.

I installed an $18 Harbor Freight trickle charger in the wet bay, plugged into the 110V outlet and then went three or four inches away into the engine battery bus bar. Any time the coach is on shore power or the generator is running, the engine batteries are being charged. Our set of three Duralast engine batteries and six Genesis 70XE (AGM) batteries are about eight years old now without any problems. The stock U300 OEM charger keeps the AGMs very close to the factory recommended voltage as does the HF trickle charger on the engine batteries. I have a couple of digital LED voltmeters on the instrument panel to keep track of voltages under all conditions. The Genesis AGMs are almost $500 each so I was very careful to make sure to meet factory specs 24/7

1.5 Amp Three Stage Onboard Battery Charger/Maintainer

Pierce

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

Re: Darn. New batteries is the best possible outcome

Reply #5 –
After 2 days of being on the charger and never getting above 80%, the start battery measured out at 300 cca. This run of cold weather finished that poor battery off, seems like. A nice new 1475cca battery cranks that Cat over like spinning a top. I bet the house batteries are in better shape but am going to take them down and check them too.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292