Hello again!!

[adam metzger]

Hi all-

It's been a hot minute. Hope you're all well.
Haven't had much time to spend with the coach, but it's a marathon not a sprint, right?

I'm getting the urge to tinker again, and with good reason.

My coach had some " creative wiring" when I got it. When I plug her in, it charges the battery system, and things run off of that. I just realized
that if the battery system doesn't charge, I got nothing. The reason I know this is because I think my charger is on the fritz, and none of they
lights or house systems work without it. I know I need to rebuild the charging/inverter system, and need some guidance.

Does this beast have a system by which it runs straight off of shore power?

I need a gentle reminder of how these systems work.

Thanks in advance for your infinite patience with my dumb questions.

--
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX

 

[Matt Colie]

> Hi all-
>
> It's been a hot minute. Hope you're all well.
> Haven't had much time to spend with the coach, but it's a marathon not a sprint, right?
>
> I'm getting the urge to tinker again, and with good reason.
>
> My coach had some " creative wiring" when I got it. When I plug her in, it charges the battery system, and things run off of that. I just
> realized that if the battery system doesn't charge, I got nothing. The reason I know this is because I think my charger is on the fritz, and none
> of they lights or house systems work without it. I know I need to rebuild the charging/inverter system, and need some guidance.
>
> Does this beast have a system by which it runs straight off of shore power?
>
> I need a gentle reminder of how these systems work.
>
> Thanks in advance for your infinite patience with my dumb questions.
>
> EDIT-
>
> So in looking at the wiring schematic, if plugged into shore power, the only things that work are the outlets and a/c units.
>
> Everything else runs on 12 v?

Adam,

That is substantially correct.

The only other thing that is powered by AC from either shore power or the generator is the converter/charger that should be charging the house bank
and powering all the 12v DC things.

Again, the dumb questions are those that you refuse to ask.
The reason that I "over answer" questions is that others are reading that may not have as much understanding as you posses.

So, please, if you are not sure, assemble your questions and ask.

Matt

--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[Ken B]

> > Hi all-
> >
> > It's been a hot minute. Hope you're all well.
> > Haven't had much time to spend with the coach, but it's a marathon not a sprint, right?
> >
> > I'm getting the urge to tinker again, and with good reason.
> >
> > My coach had some " creative wiring" when I got it. When I plug her in, it charges the battery system, and things run off of that. I just
> > realized that if the battery system doesn't charge, I got nothing. The reason I know this is because I think my charger is on the fritz, and none
> > of they lights or house systems work without it. I know I need to rebuild the charging/inverter system, and need some guidance.
> >
> > Does this beast have a system by which it runs straight off of shore power?
> >
> > I need a gentle reminder of how these systems work.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your infinite patience with my dumb questions.
> >
> > EDIT-
> >
> > So in looking at the wiring schematic, if plugged into shore power, the only things that work are the outlets and a/c units.
> >
> > Everything else runs on 12 v?
>
> Adam,
>
> That is substantially correct.
>
> The only other thing that is powered by AC from either shore power or the generator is the converter/charger that should be charging the house
> bank and powering all the 12v DC things.
>
> Again, the dumb questions are those that you refuse to ask.
> The reason that I "over answer" questions is that others are reading that may not have as much understanding as you posses.
>
> So, please, if you are not sure, assemble your questions and ask.
>
> Matt

To add a little to Matt's post. Somewhere in that coach should be a converter. It takes 120VAC and converts it to 12VDC. Then the 12 VDC is
supplied to the house battery (for charging) and to the 12 VDC fuse panel which supplies all of the interior lighting etc. inside the coach. Please
note that the interior lights over the passenger's and driver's heads and anything in the dash are NOT on the house 12VDC system. They are powered by
the engine battery and engine driven alternator.

So the first thing I would be looking for is that converter and seeing if it is turned on and not outputting 12 VDC. I did not check the model of
your coach before I started typing so I did not to tell you where the converter is. In most GM 26 upfitted coaches it is located in a cabinet across
from the bath module.

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[adam metzger]

Thanks guys-

I haven't given the coach much thought in the past year, and leave it plugged into shore power cause on occasion we have someone visit and it's a good
place to bunk.

BUT-

It's got some quirks. What is currently charging the aux battery is a Stanley battery charger plugged into one of the outlets.

It works, but not ideal. I plan on re building the charging system, but need to save some nickels first.

I think this charger is on the fritz, so the house aux battery isn't charging, hence my question. I leave an led light on to let me see that it's all
working and it wasn't on.
--
1976 Palm Beach
Austin, TX

 

[Ken B]

> Thanks guys-
>
> I haven't given the coach much thought in the past year, and leave it plugged into shore power cause on occasion we have someone visit and it's a
> good place to bunk.
>
> BUT-
>
> It's got some quirks. What is currently charging the aux battery is a Stanley battery charger plugged into one of the outlets.
>
> It works, but not ideal. I plan on re building the charging system, but need to save some nickels first.
>
> I think this charger is on the fritz, so the house aux battery isn't charging, hence my question. I leave an led light on to let me see that it's
> all working and it wasn't on.

OK I see you have a 76 PB. The converter is located in the second cabinet up directly across from the bath module. Does the converter have 120VAC
power to it? If it does, is the converter putting out 12 VDC.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana

 

[thomas phipps]

If your converter is what we call affectionately a 'buzz box' (OEM battery charger)(color is generally blue), remove it from the coach. They are very
old designs noted for ruining batteries. Replace it with a modern three stage design, Iota, Progressive and others make what you need. Search this
site for model numbers. JmK has them in stock and a good source for everything GMC.
Tom
--
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG

 

[johnny]

However, if you have an original 12V setup - made by Tripp Lite in both of my 76s, replace it with a modern charger/converter but don't toss it. It's
an excellent 12V bench supply.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased