Drain on Genset Battery

[Alan Johnson]

Mystery solved! I could not figure out how battery was draining with elec master off. ...turns out if u have a disconnected tv coax in overhead compartment (disconnected years ago) and that coax end happens to touch the backside of the genset battery meter in just the right place, you will drain your gen battery via you antenna (or something). You will also probably fry you voltmeter.

But as usual, you learn some new things along the way. Thanks again for all your help.

Ps.. We are now at least out of blazing hot Dallas. Just passed tucumcari. Next stop - north rim.

Alan johnson
87fc35

---

From: "Gregory OConnor"
Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:00:32 -0000
To:
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Drain on Genset Battery

good Tip Curt. if you apply Curts method to your intermittent issue thought , check for a drain when the battery bank combiner is on. another place that cause intermittent issues is in the fuel solenoid. In my cummins dodge the sel would shut down and draw some amps while at rest. it turns out that that configuration has two relays, one to lift the sel and one to maintain it open while it ran. I have a kubota powered tractor (80 hp skidsteer) that needs a belt on the alt. I charge the battery from time to time and have no problem starting it and keeping it running during a two day (20 hour, 30 starts) period between manual charging. I say this because often it is assumed the diesels take major amps to start and run which is only true if the starter is screwed and needs rebuild or the sel is screwed. starting a diesel on weak batteries will screw a starter quick.

Some gensets have a generator head that produce the charge for the 12 volt starter system, some gensets have a generator-engine mounted alt and some use the coach charging system to keep the genset batteries up.
Greg of Tim&Greg
94ptca

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Curt Sprenger ...> wrote:
>
> Depending on your battery system installation (hook up)...yes you could have
> a battery drain. Simple way to test is reinstall the battery, connect only
> the the positive cable, put a 12v test light between the negative battery
> post and the negative cable. If the test light lights up there is a battery
> drain. Start shutting the 12v system by turning off ONE unit at a time,
> recheck the test light, if test light continues to shine keep going until
> the test light is out. You have found the battery drain.
>
> Curt Sprenger
> 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> Anaheim Hills, CA
> Read all about Southwest Bluebirds and Friends (SWBB) at
> http://www.SOUTHWEST-BLUEBIRDS.ORG ...Then Join us.*"Host of the Annual
> Bluebird Quartzsite Rally" *
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 8:27 PM, xz3kg7 ...> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Update...I'm checking to see if my new battery was DOA. I put a different
> > charger on it and when I came back it indicated a bad battery. (and battery
> > charges was at 10volts). ALSO I don't see any spark when I remove a cable
> > and I borrowed an amp meter, and if I used it correctly it was not showing
> > any drain.
> >
> > So now I removed the battery from the coach and have put it on the charger
> > again to see what happens. Could there be an intermittent drain that I
> > didn't see? That seems unlikely, but I don't know.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Alan
> >
> > --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"40yahoogroups.com>,
> > "xz3kg7" > wrote:
> > >
> > > I'm leaving tomorrow for a 3500 mile roundtrip vacation... and of course
> > I just discover a problem I haven't had.
> > >
> > > I have new batteries, all the way around. 6 new coach and 1 new genset
> > batter (genset is 8k, kohler, I think). I have never had an issue with the
> > genset battery draining, but I do now. I charged it for 12 hours yesterday,
> > and this morning, about 12 hours after charger cut off, it only had 10.3
> > amps (volt meter), apparently not enough to turn the genset.
> > >
> > > This battery is 3 days old, I replaced the last one because I thought it
> > was probably bad.
> > >
> > > Only other clue I have is that the genset DC volt meter on overhead
> > console is not reading. (needle lays all the way left, less than 10vdc). I
> > have not noticed the meter not working before, so if it is not tied to the
> > issue, it is a new problem.
> > >
> > > Of course, what I'm worried about is draining coach batteries overnight
> > and then not being able to start genset to get coach started. I'm
> > contemplating bringing along an extra car battery and putting it in a
> > compartment to jump the genset... but what a hassle.
> > >
> > > Does anyone know where the isolator is on an 87FC35, and how to test/fix
> > it... or do a temporary fix? I'm halfway decent with a voltmeter.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > > Alan
> > > 87fc35
> > >
> > > PS. I'm leaving Dallas and going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon,
> > Zion National Park, ...other places north through Utah and Idaho. Then
> > Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and South Dakota Bad Lands. I'm really looking
> > forward to getting out of this heat.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>