Drain on Genset Battery

[xz3kg7]

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.

[xz3kg7]

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@yahoogroups.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.
>

[Curt Sprenger]

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 <"alan.johnson@usa.com"> 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", "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.

>

[Gregory OConnor]

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@yahoogroups.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@yahoogroups.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.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>

[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.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>

[Ernie Ekberg]

Have agreat trip- I'm still here in the heat Ernie Ekberg 83PT40 Wanderlodge Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair --- On Wed, 7/15/09, Alan Johnson wrote: From: Alan Johnson Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Drain on Genset Battery To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 12:36 PM 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@ yahoogroups. 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.SOUTHWES T-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@ yahoogroups. 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. > > > > > > > > > >

[Alan Betts]

Alan, I see you're in Az. We are in Williams for a visit to the South Rim after
traveling from MI to The Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Bryce Canyon.
Can't believe how many times we've witnessed golf and baseball sized hail during
our trip but the weather has been very cool. I've seen several birds on this
trip and most recently passed a FC in Flagstaff. Hope your visit to GC is good.

Alan Betts
95PT42
Williams, Az

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Alan Johnson wrote:
>
> 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

[Alan Johnson]

Alan,

That might have been me in flag. We were there tonight. We are doing the reverse of you. North rim, zion, bryce, yellowstone,rushmore, badlands. I'm in a blue and silver 87fc.

Have a good time.
Alan johnson

---

From: "Alan Betts"
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:36:50 -0000
To:
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Drain on Genset Battery

Alan, I see you're in Az. We are in Williams for a visit to the South Rim after traveling from MI to The Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Bryce Canyon. Can't believe how many times we've witnessed golf and baseball sized hail during our trip but the weather has been very cool. I've seen several birds on this trip and most recently passed a FC in Flagstaff. Hope your visit to GC is good.

Alan Betts
95PT42
Williams, Az

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Alan Johnson ...> wrote:
>
> 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

[Fred Hulse]

We just left Williams yesterday morning afterenjoying the cool weather for a week.

Sorry we missed you all!

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown Arizona
1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

[GARY MINKER]

No one mentioned if your charger was any good or the isolator feeding it --- On Tue, 7/14/09, Curt Sprenger wrote: From: Curt Sprenger Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Drain on Genset Battery To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 1:11 AM 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.SOUTHWES T-BLUEBIRDS. ORG ...Then Join us."Host of the Annual Bluebird Quartzsite Rally" On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 8:27 PM, xz3kg7 <alan.johnson@ usa.com> 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@ yahoogroups. 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. >