Generator Battery Not Charging

[Tom Warner]

Jeff I am truely sorry that you believe that I am trying to defame
Bluebirds engineering for its not true. I like my coach but am not blind to
its defiencies either. If we are truly going to be supportive of each
other on this forum then in my opinion we have to be honest about what we
are attempting to fix. If we argue just for arguements sake and want to win
the last word.............then I am not willing to play that game.

You believe that BB engineered the generator battery charging correctly, I
on the other hand do not. I have uploaded the original Kohler installation
guide that Kohler furnished BB to be used as a guide when installing
Kohlers generator into a BB coach. However Kohler also told BB they must
comply with Art S51, NFPA No. 501C-1974 Standard for Recreational Vehicles,
etc. You can read the rest on page 1 of the installation guide now
available in the forum files. Notice that I added one more file which I
obtained from BB for my specific installation, a view of the controller
assembly showing the components. Notice there is no bridge rectifier or
resistor packs.

On the troubleshooting guide which I also uploaded to the files section it
clearly shows how Kohler envisioned the charging system to work, stepping
down the AC voltage with a transformer and then rectifying it and routing
it thru a 8 amp fuse to the positive post of the battery. That circuit has
never been available on my coach.

The 1982 FC35 that I have is a fine and reliable coach. But it has
shortcomings that I am correcting them as I have time.

Tom Warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY


At 02:14 PM 5/30/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>I know that you for some reason have a need to defame BlueBird's
>engineering, or at least you constantly try to, and that's what I
>have an issue with. If after 24-1/2 years and ?? owners your coach
>doesn't charge its genset battery anymore, that's not IMO BlueBird's
>fault. Kohler provided the charging and BlueBird installed it intact.
>This forum's purpose (again in my opinion) is not to try to lay blame
>on BlueBird or point fingers when older coaches don't function as
>new, but to find and share solutions. The solution as I mentioned
>days ago was to add the diode and circuit-breaker.
>
>The Kohler did have a charging system in its control box, and it
>worked. If owners didn't "exercise" the genset periodically as they
>should, yes the battery in pre-'83 had no second charging source.
>That IMO is a minor issue, and if owners didn't properly maintain
>their coach such as periodically running the genset, keeping the
>coach plugged in or batteries disconnected when not in use, checking
>air in tires and oil in engines, ... it is likely that they will
>suffer failures of inconvenience or worse. BlueBird has no control
>over how a coach 1/4 century old is or has been maintained and
>operated.
>
>To your "throw that idea out" comment on the resistor pack, it is how
>the 117VAC was stepped down to charge a 12VDC system, and yes a
>rectifier is also used. Many are in-op by now, and some are still
>functioning as designed. The ones that still operate properly are the
>ones that surprise me, try that on a gas onan in a windybago.
>
> - Jeff Miller
>Happy with the many things that BlueBird did exceptionally well,
>tolerant of a few quirks.
>
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
>wrote:
> > Jeff even after this problem being aired on this forum and the old
> > wanderlodge forum countless times, the same problem seems to exist
>which is
> > how the BB factory provided for the charging of the Kohler
>Generator on the
> > 1980's FC models. The answer is they did not.<<snip>>
>
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>Yahoo! Groups Links
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>

[erniecarpet@...]

George- what a classic!! I'm surprised you haven't had any takers. Thanks,
Ernie


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[erniecarpet@...]

Thats kinda like when we go into a parts store and the baggy pants dude asks
" Duh- what car does this part come from" If they can't see it in print- they
have no clue. We were looking at a 91 coach for sale. Went to credit union
and they said- we can't loan to anyone unless they are looking at a 93 or newer
model. Funny- they have the loan on my 83~ Ernie- still confused about those
rules


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Miller]

So I guess your point continues to be that BB didn't do something
correctly in hindsight? Whatever Tom, enjoy.

Your outstanding grasp of the obvious continues to amaze me.

My point will continue to be to offer the solution to their problems,
as I did to this one Saturday afternoon, what you added to the thread
other than finger pointing I don't know.

- Jeff Miller


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
wrote:
> You believe that BB engineered the generator battery charging
correctly, I
> on the other hand do not.<<snip>>

[George Lowry]

Ernie,

Consider taking it to Mexico for the paint job. Check out my GM coach
at <http://gmbusguy.com/1962pd4106l.htm> That paint job was done in
Algodones, Mexico at Navarro's Shop for about 20% of what they wanted
in the states for the same job. BTW, that coach is 43 years old.
(though the paint job is rather new)

George Lowry
'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
Spearfish, SD


erniecarpet@... wrote:

> In a message dated 5/30/2005 1:18:13 PM Central Standard Time,
> warbucks@... writes:
>
>
>
>>But it has
>>shortcomings that I am correcting.
>>
>
>
> Since we have the best coaches on the market, in my opinion, at least we have
> something solid to work with. I wonder what another brand will look like in
> 23 years? Ernie-83PT40 in Texas- people can't believe the interior is 23 years
> old. now if it was painted~
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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[Tom Warner]

George thats an impressive coach. Looks like someone did a tremendous
amount of work to get it to look that way.

What kind of money are you talking about to have this coach painted in Mexico?

tom
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY
At 02:52 PM 5/30/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>Ernie,
>
>Consider taking it to Mexico for the paint job. Check out my GM coach
>at <http://gmbusguy.com/1962pd4106l.htm> That paint job was done in
>Algodones, Mexico at Navarro's Shop for about 20% of what they wanted
>in the states for the same job. BTW, that coach is 43 years old.
>(though the paint job is rather new)
>
>George Lowry
>'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
>Spearfish, SD
>
>
>erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
> > In a message dated 5/30/2005 1:18:13 PM Central Standard Time,
> > warbucks@... writes:
> >
> >
> >
> >>But it has
> >>shortcomings that I am correcting.
> >>
> >
> >
> > Since we have the best coaches on the market, in my opinion, at least
> we have
> > something solid to work with. I wonder what another brand will look
> like in
> > 23 years? Ernie-83PT40 in Texas- people can't believe the interior is
> 23 years
> > old. now if it was painted~
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
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[Jeff August]

Thanks for all the replys,I think its all beyond my abilities to fix?
Charged the battery full before we left last Friday and had no
problem yet with battery being to low, does a deisel engine use the
battery for more than starting? Maybe it will last when we go for a
week next month if I charge it full before we leave?(New 850 cca
battery)
Jeff and Michelle August
1980FC35RB
Plymouth Wi.
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
wrote:
> George thats an impressive coach. Looks like someone did a
tremendous
> amount of work to get it to look that way.
>
> What kind of money are you talking about to have this coach painted
in Mexico?
>
> tom
> 1982 FC35
> Vernon Center,NY
> At 02:52 PM 5/30/2005 -0700, you wrote:
> >Ernie,
> >
> >Consider taking it to Mexico for the paint job. Check out my GM
coach
> >at <http://gmbusguy.com/1962pd4106l.htm> That paint job was done in
> >Algodones, Mexico at Navarro's Shop for about 20% of what they
wanted
> >in the states for the same job. BTW, that coach is 43 years old.
> >(though the paint job is rather new)
> >
> >George Lowry
> >'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
> >Spearfish, SD
> >
> >
> >erniecarpet@a... wrote:
> >
> > > In a message dated 5/30/2005 1:18:13 PM Central Standard Time,
> > > warbucks@t... writes:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >>But it has
> > >>shortcomings that I am correcting.
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > Since we have the best coaches on the market, in my opinion, at
least
> > we have
> > > something solid to work with. I wonder what another brand will
look
> > like in
> > > 23 years? Ernie-83PT40 in Texas- people can't believe the
interior is
> > 23 years
> > > old. now if it was painted~
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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[George Lowry]

That job was $5,000 and included a complete strip, body work and the
painting with R-M Diamint paint (a base coat/clear coat job).

George

Tom Warner wrote:

> George thats an impressive coach. Looks like someone did a tremendous
> amount of work to get it to look that way.
>
> What kind of money are you talking about to have this coach painted in Mexico?
>
> tom
> 1982 FC35
> Vernon Center,NY
> At 02:52 PM 5/30/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>
>>Ernie,
>>
>>Consider taking it to Mexico for the paint job. Check out my GM coach
>>at <http://gmbusguy.com/1962pd4106l.htm> That paint job was done in
>>Algodones, Mexico at Navarro's Shop for about 20% of what they wanted
>>in the states for the same job. BTW, that coach is 43 years old.
>>(though the paint job is rather new)
>>
>>George Lowry
>>'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
>>Spearfish, SD
>>
>>
>>erniecarpet@... wrote:
>>
>>
>>>In a message dated 5/30/2005 1:18:13 PM Central Standard Time,
>>>warbucks@... writes:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>But it has
>>>>shortcomings that I am correcting.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Since we have the best coaches on the market, in my opinion, at least
>>
>>we have
>>
>>>something solid to work with. I wonder what another brand will look
>>
>>like in
>>
>>>23 years? Ernie-83PT40 in Texas- people can't believe the interior is
>>
>>23 years
>>
>>>old. now if it was painted~
>>>
>>>
>>>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Yahoo! Groups Links
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>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
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>>Yahoo! Groups Links
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[Tom Warner]

Thanks George just might go to Mexico this fall now. Thats a bargain.

tom
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY
At 03:48 PM 5/30/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>That job was $5,000 and included a complete strip, body work and the
>painting with R-M Diamint paint (a base coat/clear coat job).
>
>George
>
>Tom Warner wrote:
>
> > George thats an impressive coach. Looks like someone did a tremendous
> > amount of work to get it to look that way.
> >
> > What kind of money are you talking about to have this coach painted in
> Mexico?
> >
> > tom
> > 1982 FC35
> > Vernon Center,NY
> > At 02:52 PM 5/30/2005 -0700, you wrote:
> >
> >>Ernie,
> >>
> >>Consider taking it to Mexico for the paint job. Check out my GM coach
> >>at <http://gmbusguy.com/1962pd4106l.htm> That paint job was done in
> >>Algodones, Mexico at Navarro's Shop for about 20% of what they wanted
> >>in the states for the same job. BTW, that coach is 43 years old.
> >>(though the paint job is rather new)
> >>
> >>George Lowry
> >>'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
> >>Spearfish, SD
> >>
> >>
> >>erniecarpet@... wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>In a message dated 5/30/2005 1:18:13 PM Central Standard Time,
> >>>warbucks@... writes:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>But it has
> >>>>shortcomings that I am correcting.
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>Since we have the best coaches on the market, in my opinion, at least
> >>
> >>we have
> >>
> >>>something solid to work with. I wonder what another brand will look
> >>
> >>like in
> >>
> >>>23 years? Ernie-83PT40 in Texas- people can't believe the interior is
> >>
> >>23 years
> >>
> >>>old. now if it was painted~
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >>>
> >>>
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> >>>Yahoo! Groups Links
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> >>Yahoo! Groups Links
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[George Lowry]

Thanks, Ernie. So far a lot of wanters but no $$$. Hard to get
loans for something like that. "Bankers" don't know what to do if it
isn't listed in a book.

George

erniecarpet@... wrote:

> George- what a classic!! I'm surprised you haven't had any takers. Thanks,
> Ernie
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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