Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

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On my 1977 FC, (4) 6 volt batts. are used for starting & house duties. I think I
would like to add a separate batt or batts for starting only. Has anyone had a
FC with a gas engine, and changed theirs over, or know of anyone that has? When
did BB start using separate starting /house batteries on any FC? Thanks, George
Burke 1977 FCSB Charlotte

My 77FC35 is a diesel, but seems to have originated with 4x6v batteries in a compartment at the far front left, next to the engine area.

The previous owner replaced the 4x6v with 2x12v, which work ok.

We replaced the original battery boilers (chargers) with a nice Xantrex 2500 watt inverter charger that takes good care of the batteries,

and also powers some dedicated outlets I installed along with it for when we are going down the road and want some 120vac.

I ran dedicated 1/0 from batteries at the front back to the Xantrex midway down on the left.

I am planning to add some separate house batteries, but haven't yet decided where to put them. Â The "house" batteries will go closer

to the Xantrex and get wired in with one or more runs of 4/0, to encourage the inverter to draw power from them first.

We never ever camp under circumstances where we have to run the generator (not for technical reasons, but because my wife cannot stand hearing it Smile

we either camp where there is power, or we get by on the batteries, so I am actually considering removing the generator so I can use the space and

weight for a huge pile of batteries. Â This would also let me re-use the generator gas tank for additional diesel capacity. Â Haven't done it yet, but definitely

thinking about it. Â (it doesn't hurt that the generator needs some substantial repairs to be fully reliable anyway) Â I think if I do this, I willÂ

buy one of those nice tiny honda 1500w or so generators for emergency battery resuscitation and so-on. Â

If fuel cells weren't so crazy arsed expensive, I would put in 1000w or so of fuel cells to charge batteries silently and put a rack for the H2 gas on the back of the bus Smile

Regards,

Dorn Hetzel

77FC35

Hogansville, GA

On Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 1:35 AM, georgeseagle <"gnburke@gmail.com"> wrote:

Â

On my 1977 FC, (4) 6 volt batts. are used for starting & house duties. I think I would like to add a separate batt or batts for starting only. Has anyone had a FC with a gas engine, and changed theirs over, or know of anyone that has? When did BB start using separate starting /house batteries on any FC? Thanks, George Burke 1977 FCSB Charlotte

Here is a handy voltage chart for setting feeder wire on fire. There is a 10% and 3% drop chart. The 2500 Watt inverter can draw upwards of 270 amps on this nice piece of 1/0. Smoke will follow shortly. The 4/0 is a great idea. Inverters are touchy about voltage drop and the 3% chart us best plus 1 gauge for adding a safety fuse. Never run primary cable without a fuse near the source. Big wire charges better too
Gary
85pt40

--- On Fri, 2/19/10, Dorn Hetzel wrote:

From: Dorn Hetzel
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] FC Batteries
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, February 19, 2010, 8:23 AM

My 77FC35 is a diesel, but seems to have originated with 4x6v batteries in a compartment at the far front left, next to the engine area.

The previous owner replaced the 4x6v with 2x12v, which work ok.

We replaced the original battery boilers (chargers) with a nice Xantrex 2500 watt inverter charger that takes good care of the batteries,
and also powers some dedicated outlets I installed along with it for when we are going down the road and want some 120vac.

I ran dedicated 1/0 from batteries at the front back to the Xantrex midway down on the left.

I am planning to add some separate house batteries, but haven't yet decided where to put them. The "house" batteries will go closer

to the Xantrex and get wired in with one or more runs of 4/0, to encourage the inverter to draw power from them first.

We never ever camp under circumstances where we have to run the generator (not for technical reasons, but because my wife cannot stand hearing it ),

we either camp where there is power, or we get by on the batteries, so I am actually considering removing the generator so I can use the space and
weight for a huge pile of batteries. This would also let me re-use the generator gas tank for additional diesel capacity. Haven't done it yet, but definitely

thinking about it. (it doesn't hurt that the generator needs some substantial repairs to be fully reliable anyway) I think if I do this, I will
buy one of those nice tiny honda 1500w or so generators for emergency battery resuscitation and so-on.

If fuel cells weren't so crazy arsed expensive, I would put in 1000w or so of fuel cells to charge batteries silently and put a rack for the H2 gas on the back of the bus

Regards,

Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 1:35 AM, georgeseagle <gnburke@gmail. com> wrote:

On my 1977 FC, (4) 6 volt batts. are used for starting & house duties. I think I would like to add a separate batt or batts for starting only. Has anyone had a FC with a gas engine, and changed theirs over, or know of anyone that has? When did BB start using separate starting /house batteries on any FC? Thanks, George Burke 1977 FCSB Charlotte

Hey George, My 78FC also had 4-6v batteries. I added2 group 31's in the compartment under the passenger's seat for starting and have isolated the 4-6v batteries for the house. Works much better when boonie docking and not worrying about whetherit'll start in the morning or not.

Michael

63FC35 Bluebird Conversion

78FC35 Wanderlodge

.....and I have EXACTLY the same.

If that's in the compartment underneath the passenger's seat and not
actually under the seat. :-)

Mike, what are you using to isolate the alternator charge and load?

Donn
'76 FC33
South Kingstown, RI

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Michael
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 9:13 AM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re:FC Batteries

Hey George, My 78FC also had 4-6v batteries. I added 2 group 31's in the
compartment under the passenger's seat for starting and have isolated the
4-6v batteries for the house. Works much better when boonie docking and not
worrying about whether it'll start in the morning or not.

Michael
63FC35 Bluebird Conversion
78FC35 Wanderlodge

Hi Mike, Pls. send a email to "gnburke@gmail.com" , and I can respond to you next week, as I am leaving Thurs. for a out of state funeral, and won't be back until Tues. I am having problems sending out emails, but can respond, go figure. ^Thanks, George Burke 1977 FC31 Charlotte

On Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 9:12 AM, Michael <"mike.putz@cox.net"> wrote:

Â

Hey George,Â My 78FC also had 4-6v batteries.Â I addedÂ 2 group 31's in the compartment under the passenger's seat for starting and have isolated the 4-6v batteries for the house.Â Works much better when boonie docking and not worrying about whetherÂ it'll start in the morning or not.

Â

Michael

63FC35 Bluebird Conversion

78FC35 Wanderlodge

Â

Â

This has nothing to do with FC batteries, (my outgoing email is messed up), but if anyone is coming to Charlotte for the May 600 race, and for the weeks events before, some hotels in the area have grouped together with CMSÂ and are offering a 15% discount during that time, and waiving the minimun stay requirement.Â They said that the hotels are located within 1 hr. of the speedway, so be careful. You could be in Greensboro from there in 1 hr.Â I know nothing more, so ask questions about how far away they are when you call. Thought that some of you may have a BB with a broken wing, or friends/relatives that don't have one, and need other lodging. The number for the CMS ticket office is 1-800-455-3267. Some area hotels are even offering better discounts, just do the google thing. Good Luck, George Burke 1977 FC31 Charlotte

Â Â On Wed, Feb 24, 2010 at 12:58 AM, George Burke <"gnburke@gmail.com"> wrote:

Hi Mike, Pls. send a email to "gnburke@gmail.com" , and I can respond to you next week, as I am leaving Thurs. for a out of state funeral, and won't be back until Tues. I am having problems sending out emails, but can respond, go figure. ^Thanks, George Burke 1977 FC31 Charlotte

On Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 9:12 AM, Michael <"mike.putz@cox.net"> wrote:

Â

Hey George,Â My 78FC also had 4-6v batteries.Â I addedÂ 2 group 31's in the compartment under the passenger's seat for starting and have isolated the 4-6v batteries for the house.Â Works much better when boonie docking and not worrying about whetherÂ it'll start in the morning or not.

Â

Michael

63FC35 Bluebird Conversion

78FC35 Wanderlodge

Â

Â

Most people will use a battery isolator but you will loose an entire volt across them at higher amp loads (like alterator charging) and unless you use a remote voltage sense regulator then you'll constantly undercharge your batteries.

A good test is this - After you've driven an entire day and have stopped for the night, turn on your generator and then activate your smart charger and watch the current. Typically you'll see it charge at over 50 amps, interesting because they should be fully charged after a long alternator charge like that.

So I use a contactor (relay) to isolate my house batteries from the starting batteries. Mine is setup to close (charge) with engine running andisolate with engine off. I also installed a manual switch so I can "jump" my start batteries if needed.

Michael
63FC35 Bluebird Conversion
78FC35 Wanderlodge

Mike,
If you have a diagram of how you did that I would like to have a copy of it. I have a problem opening attachments here so you could email it or fold it into a paper airplane and sail it across the street. hehehe
Dave
Dave Ward
80FC31SB
Mesa, AZ

--- On Thu, 2/25/10, Michael <mike.putz@...> wrote:

From: Michael <mike.putz@...>
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: FC Batteries
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 3:24 AM

Most people will use a battery isolator but you will loose an entire volt across them at higher amp loads (like alterator charging) and unless you use a remote voltage sense regulator then you'll constantly undercharge your batteries.

A good test is this - After you've driven an entire day and have stopped for the night, turn on your generator and then activate your smart charger and watch the current. Typically you'll see it charge at over 50 amps, interesting because they should be fully charged after a long alternator charge like that.

So I use a contactor (relay) to isolate my house batteries from the starting batteries. Mine is setup to close (charge) with engine running andisolate with engine off. I also installed a manual switch so I can "jump" my start batteries if needed.

Michael
63FC35 Bluebird Conversion
78FC35 Wanderlodge

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Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

georgeseagle

georgeseagle

Dorn Hetzel

GARY MINKER

Michael

Donald Watson

George Burke

George Burke

Michael

David Ward