Charging Problem
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03-05-2006, 10:14
Post: #1
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Charging Problem
Hi Everybody,
I went out to the bus, and even though it was plugged in, the low battery buzzer was buzzing. I checked the voltage at the batteries, and it was only 3.68v. I checked the connection where the chargers tie into the battery cable and it was 12.53v. I then unplugged one charger at a time and found one was 12.35v and the other 11.28v. I unhooked the chargers from the battery cable and then checked the batteries and they had dropped to 3.5v. With no load (unhooked from the battery cables) one charger then measured 14.68v and the other 13.64v. In the charger compartment, with the chargers unplugged, the voltage on the battery cables was only 42mv. I then hooked my home charger from the garage up to the battery cables in the charger compartment and it measured 10.48v. So, I hooked that charger directly to the batteries and the voltage slowly rose from 13 to 13.95v. Viola! Charging! Back in the compartment the voltage on the end of the battery cables was only 210mv. It seems to me I have a connection problem between the batteries and the charger compartment. But, last summer I took them all apart, cleaned all of them, and replaced questionable cables. I had the charging system really up to snuff. Bottom line is, it is cold and wet here, and I really don't relish climbing around under the bus right now. Have I missed something before I bite that bullet? Thank you. Steve Johnson Grand Rapids, MI '82 FC 35 |
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02-08-2009, 04:02
Post: #2
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Charging Problem
I bought our 85 PT40 in January and drove it from Missouri to
California. I did quite a bit of night driving and noticed the headlights would get dimmer and dimmer. I checked the engine volt meter and it was draining vice charging. I started watching the guage and noticed it would occasionally start charging and the lights would brighten. But, it didn't do it often enough. I started the generator and it immediately started charging and continued to charge. I'm not sure if I have a voltage regulator issue, loose connection, or an alternator problem. I wouldn't think it was the alternator because it would charge occasionally. If it is a voltage regulator problem, where would it be located and are they easy to buy? As always, I appreciate the help. I'm narrowing down my list of fixes and finally starting to feel like I'm getting the upper hand. Jerry 85 PT40 Port Hueneme, CA |
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02-08-2009, 05:21
Post: #3
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Charging Problem
It is a alternator problem probably. The voltage regulator is
internal. You need to have it re-built. R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jburgessx2" wrote: > > I bought our 85 PT40 in January and drove it from Missouri to > California. I did quite a bit of night driving and noticed the > headlights would get dimmer and dimmer. I checked the engine volt > meter and it was draining vice charging. I started watching the guage > and noticed it would occasionally start charging and the lights would > brighten. But, it didn't do it often enough. I started the generator > and it immediately started charging and continued to charge. > > I'm not sure if I have a voltage regulator issue, loose connection, or > an alternator problem. I wouldn't think it was the alternator because > it would charge occasionally. If it is a voltage regulator problem, > where would it be located and are they easy to buy? > > As always, I appreciate the help. I'm narrowing down my list of fixes > and finally starting to feel like I'm getting the upper hand. > > Jerry > 85 PT40 > Port Hueneme, CA > |
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02-08-2009, 07:28
Post: #4
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Charging Problem
I agree. Pull the alternator and take it to a place that rebuilds them.
DO NOT just take it to a parts store and get an exchange (more money and less support). Ask in parts stores where starters and alternators are rebuilt locally. This is worth the extra effort. I had a "flaky" starter on my gen-set and the shop told me exactly why it acted strange making me more comfortable that I really had the problem fixed. Also I had to take it back because the new gear and clutch they put in didn't meshwith the fly-wheel about one time in ten. Very annoying. They gladly put in a different brand of gear and now it works perfectly, every time. Regards, GPSGary |
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02-08-2009, 08:12
Post: #5
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Charging Problem
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02-08-2009, 09:34
Post: #6
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Charging Problem
> They immediately want to know what car it is on.
> I tell them, "My house". That sets them back. Regards, GPSGary |
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02-08-2009, 11:27
Post: #7
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Charging Problem
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02-08-2009, 12:38
Post: #8
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Charging Problem
Ron,
Thanks. I didn't know the regulator was internal on this. I'll pull the alternator and take it in for a rebuild. Jerry 85 PT40 Port Hueneme, CA --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002" > > It is a alternator problem probably. The voltage regulator is > internal. You need to have it re-built. > > R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40 > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jburgessx2" > wrote: > > > > I bought our 85 PT40 in January and drove it from Missouri to > > California. I did quite a bit of night driving and noticed the > > headlights would get dimmer and dimmer. I checked the engine volt > > meter and it was draining vice charging. I started watching the guage > > and noticed it would occasionally start charging and the lights would > > brighten. But, it didn't do it often enough. I started the generator > > and it immediately started charging and continued to charge. > > > > I'm not sure if I have a voltage regulator issue, loose connection, or > > an alternator problem. I wouldn't think it was the alternator because > > it would charge occasionally. If it is a voltage regulator problem, > > where would it be located and are they easy to buy? > > > > As always, I appreciate the help. I'm narrowing down my list of fixes > > and finally starting to feel like I'm getting the upper hand. > > > > Jerry > > 85 PT40 > > Port Hueneme, CA > > > |
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02-10-2009, 00:42
Post: #9
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Charging Problem
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02-16-2009, 04:20
Post: #10
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Charging Problem
I finally had the time to test the voltage at the alternator and
determined it was bad. The power was none existent followed by short periods of charging and immediately back to zero. I did find a place online that has new Leece Neville 160 amp units for $115.00, which seems like a good price to me! So, I guess I'll be ordering and installing a new one. The new ones are one-wire units vice the three-wire units and, according to the tech, will install and work without problems. Thanks for the help. Jerry 85 PT40 Port Hueneme, CA --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, GARY MINKER wrote: > > Just in case it is not the alternator, you have 2 shunts and 10 bolted connections between the alternator and the batteries. Don't just pull the alternator, get in there with a volt meter and know your enemy > Gary > > > --- On Sun, 2/8/09, ronmarabito2002 > > From: ronmarabito2002 > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Charging problem > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Date: Sunday, February 8, 2009, 12:21 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > It is a alternator problem probably. The voltage regulator is > > internal. You need to have it re-built. > > > > R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40 > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "jburgessx2" > > wrote: > > > > > > I bought our 85 PT40 in January and drove it from Missouri to > > > California. I did quite a bit of night driving and noticed the > > > headlights would get dimmer and dimmer. I checked the engine volt > > > meter and it was draining vice charging. I started watching the guage > > > and noticed it would occasionally start charging and the lights would > > > brighten. But, it didn't do it often enough. I started the generator > > > and it immediately started charging and continued to charge. > > > > > > I'm not sure if I have a voltage regulator issue, loose connection, or > > > an alternator problem. I wouldn't think it was the alternator because > > > it would charge occasionally. If it is a voltage regulator problem, > > > where would it be located and are they easy to buy? > > > > > > As always, I appreciate the help. I'm narrowing down my list of fixes > > > and finally starting to feel like I'm getting the upper hand. > > > > > > Jerry > > > 85 PT40 > > > Port Hueneme, CA > > > > |
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