Battery Dead!

[lorry clavelli]

Ted,

My SOB has a switch that disconnects the coach battery and prevents it from being
discharged if something is inadvertently left on. Perhaps this would work for
you.

Another solution would be to add small indicator lights or lighted switches to
the accessories so that their status could be checked visually.

Lorry

> Hi GMCers!
>
> This morning I tried to start my GMC, disappointed to find out that the
> batteries are die. I checked around to see what left on causing the
> batteries in such condition and found it was the ceiling fan switch was in
> "on" position. Since I am deaf and couldn't hear whatever is left running
> on. *sigh* I guess I better buy my own battery recharger as I am afraid
> there will be similar problem in future. Smile! I tried to start generator,
> it doesn't run either. I was wonder are the two batteries, one in front and
> another beside the generator connected? I guess I need to recharge both
> batteries. Do I need to disconnect the cables before I recharge?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Ted
> Palm Beach, 76
> Louisville, Ky.

- --

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[bartz paul]

Scott:

Have you considered that nowadays, many coach's have a constant electrical
draw when you consider memory in a dash radio, refrigerator, etc.

Perhaps a more positive way to control the situation is to install a
shut-off switch for each battery, to isolate it while being stored? I have
done just that. Installed a switch having a big red key for each of my
three batteries. Each switch is secured to a bracket that is in turn
mounted to the underside of the passenger side footwell. Access to them is
great from the passenger side front access door.

I installed mine because the place where I store the coach in the Winter
always had me disconnect the negative cable for each battery to protect
against a source of ignition for a fire. I hated to reconnect them if I
took the coach out of storage for a trip, because the cable's are hard to
maneuver back into place on the battery terminal when the temperature is
cold outside.

Paul Bartz

From: Adohen [mailto:Adohen]
Sent: Friday, August 13, 1999 3:59 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Battery Dead!

In a message dated 8/13/99 3:44:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Another solution would be to add small indicator lights or lighted switches
to the accessories so that their status could be checked visually.

Hi Lory and Ted!
Just wondering if there is something (light/gauge) that could be installed
near the doorway that would tell you there was still a draw on the batteries
rather than numerous check points? Roger, you are relatively deaf too, got
any ideas? 2 Oer Something simple should be on all coaches. Nothing worse
than dead, good batteries!

 

[bright walter]

Hi Ted,

Something about your message is troubling. You had a ceiling fan on.
I thought that it should have been powered by the house battery only. Did
anyone notice that in Teds post? Am I wrong? Should the fan kill both the
house and the start battery? Ted I am a rather new owner and am not sure,
but I thought thats all that should have happened. On my 1st trip with the
GM, I left the fans on all night. Next morning both the house and start
battery seemed dead. It was 2 different bad battery cable connections. Did
you test the start battery voltage? I guess depending on what others say it
might be necessary to further trouble shoot the battery setup, ie, where
current draw is coming from. Hope this helps, walter bright, 76 GB.

- -----Original Message-----
From: TedPisces [mailto:TedPisces]
Sent: Friday, August 13, 1999 2:49 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: GMC: Battery Dead!

Hi GMCers!

This morning I tried to start my GMC, disappointed to find out that the
batteries are die. I checked around to see what left on causing the
batteries in such condition and found it was the ceiling fan switch was in
"on" position. Since I am deaf and couldn't hear whatever is left running
on. *sigh* I guess I better buy my own battery recharger as I am afraid
there will be similar problem in future. Smile! I tried to start
generator,
it doesn't run either. I was wonder are the two batteries, one in front and

another beside the generator connected? I guess I need to recharge both
batteries. Do I need to disconnect the cables before I recharge?

Thanks in advance,
Ted
Palm Beach, 76
Louisville, Ky.

 

[roger black]

Walter,
What you are saying is why I did not respond at the beginning. I thought he
might have an isolation problem and I don't know that much about that, yet.
My thoughts were in the same vein, they shouldn't both be run down unless
there was something bigger than just leaving the fan on.

On the other side, the hearing one, those warning lights I hated so much
over gauges have become necessary as the bells and whistles of warning just
do not warn anymore. This is something I am learning about so it will be
one of the first upgrades I make. I am not sure I will even hear the fan
clutch engage, even. I think I would favor a large yellow or green light
wired into the control panel which would indicate a flow through the house
batteries. Also, a switch, near the door to cut the connection with the
batteries when in storage or extended periods of non-use, is a good idea.

Ted, you are going to be bombarded with calls for help when I finally get
mine. Will need to get our ears together on the things the others take for
granted. We'll have a couple of deaf mobiles.{:>)

Roger

 

[gary miller]

Ted---
I agree that both the house and the start batteries should NOT have been
discharged by leaving the fan on. The fan should have been pulling current from
ONLY the house battery(s). One possible exception --- the battery boost switch
(on the dash) is operating in the boost position full time or the solenoid which
connects the two batteries together is stuck in the connect position. Normally
the batteries are separated and connected only by the boost switch (which
operates the connecting solenoid) and the isolater which allows the batteries to
charge independently.
To check this out, disconnect the house battery(s) and see if you still get
lights inside the coach. If so the switch, the solenoid, or the isolater are
defective. Proceed disconnecting the solenoid, then the isolater and see if the
lights are on. When they go off you have found the culprit.
Gary
North Bend, Oregon Coast

> Hi Ted,
>
> Something about your message is troubling. You had a ceiling fan on.
> I thought that it should have been powered by the house battery only. Did
> anyone notice that in Teds post? Am I wrong? Should the fan kill both the
> house and the start battery? Ted I am a rather new owner and am not sure,
> but I thought thats all that should have happened. On my 1st trip with the
> GM, I left the fans on all night. Next morning both the house and start
> battery seemed dead. It was 2 different bad battery cable connections. Did
> you test the start battery voltage? I guess depending on what others say it
> might be necessary to further trouble shoot the battery setup, ie, where
> current draw is coming from. Hope this helps, walter bright, 76 GB.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TedPisces [mailto:TedPisces]
> Sent: Friday, August 13, 1999 2:49 PM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: GMC: Battery Dead!
>
> Hi GMCers!
>
> This morning I tried to start my GMC, disappointed to find out that the
> batteries are die. I checked around to see what left on causing the
> batteries in such condition and found it was the ceiling fan switch was in
> "on" position. Since I am deaf and couldn't hear whatever is left running
> on. *sigh* I guess I better buy my own battery recharger as I am afraid
> there will be similar problem in future. Smile! I tried to start
> generator,
> it doesn't run either. I was wonder are the two batteries, one in front and
>
> another beside the generator connected? I guess I need to recharge both
> batteries. Do I need to disconnect the cables before I recharge?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Ted
> Palm Beach, 76
> Louisville, Ky.

 

[thomas g. warner]

could it be that the boost battery switch is frozen on the boost position?

>Hi Ted,
>
> Something about your message is troubling. You had a ceiling fan on.
>I thought that it should have been powered by the house battery only. Did
>anyone notice that in Teds post? Am I wrong? Should the fan kill both the
>house and the start battery? Ted I am a rather new owner and am not sure,
>but I thought thats all that should have happened. On my 1st trip with the
>GM, I left the fans on all night. Next morning both the house and start
>battery seemed dead. It was 2 different bad battery cable connections. Did
>you test the start battery voltage? I guess depending on what others say it
>might be necessary to further trouble shoot the battery setup, ie, where
>current draw is coming from. Hope this helps, walter bright, 76 GB.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: TedPisces [mailto:TedPisces]
>Sent: Friday, August 13, 1999 2:49 PM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: GMC: Battery Dead!
>
>
>Hi GMCers!
>
>This morning I tried to start my GMC, disappointed to find out that the
>batteries are die. I checked around to see what left on causing the
>batteries in such condition and found it was the ceiling fan switch was in
>"on" position. Since I am deaf and couldn't hear whatever is left running
>on. *sigh* I guess I better buy my own battery recharger as I am afraid
>there will be similar problem in future. Smile! I tried to start
>generator,
>it doesn't run either. I was wonder are the two batteries, one in front and
>
>another beside the generator connected? I guess I need to recharge both
>batteries. Do I need to disconnect the cables before I recharge?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Ted
>Palm Beach, 76
>Louisville, Ky.
>
>

 

[richard waters]

I'm getting ready to buy some new house batteries. Sam's club
seems to have a good price on their golf cart batteries. Has anyone
had experience with batteries from Sam's?
Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
- ----

 

[john wright]

You need to get rid of the old hummer convert/charger. It just kills
batteries. The most popular replacement is the Statpower 40 (
http://cs2.bctel.ca/stat/product.asp?pf_id=904%2D0400&mscs_sid=6SQU2R24AXS12J0S00G7BV23E4BVU5MQ
), which I have and is a great unit with auto features. Todd also makes
a good converter/charger. I leave my coach plugged in all the time at
home. The statpower monitors the batteries, goes thru a charge cycle
every 21 days and can do a manual equalization charge when needed. I
have checked by batteries every six weeks and they do not require much
water to top off and they are always at peak charge when needed.

J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
77 Eleganza II
Michigan

>
> Yes, I'm on my 3rd set. First set lasted 13 months, second set 9 months and
> I've had these two months. However, I think the old 'hummer' converter was
> frying them. I keep my coach plugged in most of the time. A little electric
> heat in winter and a fan or low cool in summer. I expect these two to last
> much longer.
> Justin

 

[richard waters]

Justin,
Is that a yes for good experience with Sam's Club golf cart batteries?
Somehow I would have expected better longevity. I keep mine plugged
in when the GMC is at home (which is about 6 months a year). On
the plus side I don't use the buzz box converter I have a StatPower 40
battery charger
Richard

> Yes, I'm on my 3rd set. First set lasted 13 months, second set 9 months and
> I've had these two months. However, I think the old 'hummer' converter was
> frying them. I keep my coach plugged in most of the time. A little electric
> heat in winter and a fan or low cool in summer. I expect these two to last
> much longer.
> Justin

 

[edgar t. kremer]

I installed golf cart batteries from Sam's & ran them for about 3 years
then decided to replace them at one of the FMCA conv. w/Trojan
batteries. It seems impossible to run them down. I do almost all dry
camping. I saw them in a local Battery Warehouse & chatted w/the manager
about them. He sold several brands of golf cart batts & ran his own
non-scientific on all brands. The result? No other brand compared with
the Trojan. Model T105, $63 ea.

> I'm getting ready to buy some new house batteries. Sam's club
> seems to have a good price on their golf cart batteries. Has anyone
> had experience with batteries from Sam's?
> Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI
> ----

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& GMC Schematics Web site &
& http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/greenside/321/ &
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

 

[scott shean]

Justin, I think you have identified the problem. The converter isn't smart
enough to stop charging the batteries when they are full. I no longer keep
my coach plugged in for the same reason. If I want to run the A/C on shore
power for very long, I disconnect the converter. You might try putting a 24
hour timer on the 120v supply to the converter, and setting it for an hour
or two per day (longer in the winter when the furnace is running). Or you
could spring for the Statpower 40+ which I understand from this Net does
have the advanced battery charging intelligence.

Scott Shean
78 Royale
Baton Rouge, LA

>I think the old 'hummer' converter was
>frying them. I keep my coach plugged in most of the time. A little
>electric
>heat in winter and a fan or low cool in summer. I expect these two to last
>much longer.

 

[ron & gina]

Hi Justin, I don't believe I have the orig. OEM converter? Its been
replaced by P.O., but I have the battery cut-off arm switches(4)? at posts
of battery, and a day or so(depending on usage) after hooking to shore power
I open the switches to house batteries to prevent overcharging all seems to
be doing OK so far for me, I do check water levels and use home charger to
charge/check before/after each trip(3) no water addition yet but they were
new. I don't guess disconnecting batteries hurts the converter? I guess
thats a question and my experience.(of about three months)-)}

Ron&Gina
73 Pumpkin-Rose
Ft. Mohave, AZ.

- ----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 1999 9:00 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Battery Dead!

> I'm saying that I had a bad experience but I don't think it was the
battery's
> fault. l think it was the OEM hummer converter frying them. I haven't had
> these long enough to give a valid appraisal. I now have the Statpower 40
and
> have every reason to believe they will do OK. I'll also be interested to
see
> if anyone else posts their experience.
> Justin

 

[richard waters]

Today I went out and bought 2 Sam's Club golf cart batteries.
I had considered the Interstate U2200 which has a amp hour
rating of 225. The guy at Sam's said their battery was rated at
210. I was quoted a price of $80.95 for the U2200 by the local
Interstate distributor. The price at Sam's was $42.95. Guess
what? I went with Sam's. Maybe I'm wrong, but I got 2 batteries
for about the price of 1 Interstate.

When I went to remove the old batteries (12 volt deep cycle also
from Sam's) I found all the cells were basically bone dry.

It took me over an hour of careful work to get the old batteries out.
I was afraid that I would fry something back in there with my wrenches
etc. The PO really blew it the way he installed the batteries. There
was no way to check the cells for water level.

Now that I have golf cart batteries, the wiring job should be simpler. Also
there will be fewer cells to check (6 as opposed to 12). So far I am going
to just put them back in without a slide out tray. I'm going to spend some
time working out the details of what I will do about a tray.

I hope my Statpower 40 helps my cause.
Richard Waters '76 PB, Troy, MI