Trying to charge discharged house batteries.

W

w schurman

New member
Jun 30, 2015
47
0
0
Today I went to retrieve the GMC from a storage lot where it had been
sitting for approximately two weeks. One of the air bags was very low so I
started the engine and hit the raise toggle switch for the compressor to
air up the bag and nothing happened. After looking around for the cause I
found that I had no house battery voltage, I mean none. Next I discovered
that I had inadvertently left the "systems check " toggle switch in the on
position.which completely discharged the house batteries.
Not wanting to buy new batteries (if I can help it) can they be charged up
by running the engine and hoping that the combiner will recognize the needy
house batteries and charge them ?
There is no access to electricity in the storage lot so can they be
recovered by using a Schumacher XC75 75A battery charged running it with a
400 watt inverter running off my SUV engine battery ?
The batteries while 3 years old they have never been totally discharged.
All advice is much appreciated

William S. Schurman
box 772806
Steamboat Springs, CO
80477
1978 Palm Beach
TZE168V100258
 
If the generator will run fire it up, it will power the converter which will run the air pump and charge the house batteries.
The engine should charge the house side but I would think it would take a while.

> Today I went to retrieve the GMC from a storage lot where it had been
> sitting for approximately two weeks. One of the air bags was very low so I
> started the engine and hit the raise toggle switch for the compressor to
> air up the bag and nothing happened. After looking around for the cause I
> found that I had no house battery voltage, I mean none. Next I discovered
> that I had inadvertently left the "systems check " toggle switch in the on
> position.which completely discharged the house batteries.
> Not wanting to buy new batteries (if I can help it) can they be charged up
> by running the engine and hoping that the combiner will recognize the needy
> house batteries and charge them ?
> There is no access to electricity in the storage lot so can they be
> recovered by using a Schumacher XC75 75A battery charged running it with a
> 400 watt inverter running off my SUV engine battery ?
> The batteries while 3 years old they have never been totally discharged.
> All advice is much appreciated
>
> William S. Schurman
> box 772806
> Steamboat Springs, CO
> 80477
> 1978 Palm Beach
> TZE168V100258
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
Nothing happens when I try to start the generator.

On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 4:46 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist <

> If the generator will run fire it up, it will power the converter which
> will run the air pump and charge the house batteries.
> The engine should charge the house side but I would think it would take a
> while.
>
>
>
>
>

> > Today I went to retrieve the GMC from a storage lot where it had been
> > sitting for approximately two weeks. One of the air bags was very low so
> I
> > started the engine and hit the raise toggle switch for the compressor to
> > air up the bag and nothing happened. After looking around for the cause I
> > found that I had no house battery voltage, I mean none. Next I
> discovered
> > that I had inadvertently left the "systems check " toggle switch in the
> on
> > position.which completely discharged the house batteries.
> > Not wanting to buy new batteries (if I can help it) can they be charged
> up
> > by running the engine and hoping that the combiner will recognize the
> needy
> > house batteries and charge them ?
> > There is no access to electricity in the storage lot so can they be
> > recovered by using a Schumacher XC75 75A battery charged running it with
> a
> > 400 watt inverter running off my SUV engine battery ?
> > The batteries while 3 years old they have never been totally discharged.
> > All advice is much appreciated
> >
> > William S. Schurman
> > box 772806
> > Steamboat Springs, CO
> > 80477
> > 1978 Palm Beach
> > TZE168V100258
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> --
> C. Boyd
> 76 Crestmont
> East Tennessee
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
William S. Schurman
box 772806
Steamboat Springs, CO
80477
1978 Palm Beach
TZE168V100258
 
Run the main engine or better drive it for 20 minutes or so. Then with it running try the gen start. If no go you can try the boost switch and gen
start if there are 2 of you.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Hold your boost switch down and start the generator. Then it should charge the house batteries.

Emery Stora

>
> Nothing happens when I try to start the generator.
>
> On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 4:46 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist <

>
>> If the generator will run fire it up, it will power the converter which
>> will run the air pump and charge the house batteries.
>> The engine should charge the house side but I would think it would take a
>> while.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

>>> Today I went to retrieve the GMC from a storage lot where it had been
>>> sitting for approximately two weeks. One of the air bags was very low so
>> I
>>> started the engine and hit the raise toggle switch for the compressor to
>>> air up the bag and nothing happened. After looking around for the cause I
>>> found that I had no house battery voltage, I mean none. Next I
>> discovered
>>> that I had inadvertently left the "systems check " toggle switch in the
>> on
>>> position.which completely discharged the house batteries.
>>> Not wanting to buy new batteries (if I can help it) can they be charged
>> up
>>> by running the engine and hoping that the combiner will recognize the
>> needy
>>> house batteries and charge them ?
>>> There is no access to electricity in the storage lot so can they be
>>> recovered by using a Schumacher XC75 75A battery charged running it with
>> a
>>> 400 watt inverter running off my SUV engine battery ?
>>> The batteries while 3 years old they have never been totally discharged.
>>> All advice is much appreciated
>>>
>>> William S. Schurman
>>> box 772806
>>> Steamboat Springs, CO
>>> 80477
>>> 1978 Palm Beach
>>> TZE168V100258
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>>
>> --
>> C. Boyd
>> 76 Crestmont
>> East Tennessee
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> --
> William S. Schurman
> box 772806
> Steamboat Springs, CO
> 80477
> 1978 Palm Beach
> TZE168V100258
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Deep cycle batteries prefer to be charged slowly.
--
Christo Darsch
GMC Nor'easters
1977 Eleganza II - "Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
 
Peer should be right. Air compressor runs off top circuit breaker in fuse box in glove box.
--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
Unfortunately I am alone and the boost switch is spring loaded so i cannot
be in two places at once.

On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 5:05 PM Emery Stora via Gmclist <

> Hold your boost switch down and start the generator. Then it should charge
> the house batteries.
>
> Emery Stora
>
> > On Sep 17, 2019, at 4:51 PM, w schurman via Gmclist <

> >
> > Nothing happens when I try to start the generator.
> >
> > On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 4:46 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist <

> >
> >> If the generator will run fire it up, it will power the converter which
> >> will run the air pump and charge the house batteries.
> >> The engine should charge the house side but I would think it would take
> a
> >> while.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>

> >>> Today I went to retrieve the GMC from a storage lot where it had been
> >>> sitting for approximately two weeks. One of the air bags was very low
> so
> >> I
> >>> started the engine and hit the raise toggle switch for the compressor
> to
> >>> air up the bag and nothing happened. After looking around for the
> cause I
> >>> found that I had no house battery voltage, I mean none. Next I
> >> discovered
> >>> that I had inadvertently left the "systems check " toggle switch in
> the
> >> on
> >>> position.which completely discharged the house batteries.
> >>> Not wanting to buy new batteries (if I can help it) can they be charged
> >> up
> >>> by running the engine and hoping that the combiner will recognize the
> >> needy
> >>> house batteries and charge them ?
> >>> There is no access to electricity in the storage lot so can they be
> >>> recovered by using a Schumacher XC75 75A battery charged running it
> with
> >> a
> >>> 400 watt inverter running off my SUV engine battery ?
> >>> The batteries while 3 years old they have never been totally
> discharged.
> >>> All advice is much appreciated
> >>>
> >>> William S. Schurman
> >>> box 772806
> >>> Steamboat Springs, CO
> >>> 80477
> >>> 1978 Palm Beach
> >>> TZE168V100258
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> GMCnet mailing list
> >>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> C. Boyd
> >> 76 Crestmont
> >> East Tennessee
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> GMCnet mailing list
> >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > William S. Schurman
> > box 772806
> > Steamboat Springs, CO
> > 80477
> > 1978 Palm Beach
> > TZE168V100258
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
William S. Schurman
box 772806
Steamboat Springs, CO
80477
1978 Palm Beach
TZE168V100258
 
Do you have emergency air bag inflation at your bags? If so, get a tank of air, air up the bags, and drive home. Then deal with the discharged house
batteries at home.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
You may need to trick the system to see the dead battery. I have done it with a 9 volt battery and test leads. Hook it up with correct polarity and
try that. Sometimes that makes the charger "see" the dead battery.

HTH

Melbo
--
Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
 
Have you looked in your generator compartment? Are your house batteries
even present? Storage lots are notoriously bad for stuff to grow legs and
walk away.
Hope that is not the case.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Tue, Sep 17, 2019, 4:17 PM w schurman via Gmclist <

> Unfortunately I am alone and the boost switch is spring loaded so i cannot
> be in two places at once.
>
> On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 5:05 PM Emery Stora via Gmclist <

>
> > Hold your boost switch down and start the generator. Then it should
> charge
> > the house batteries.
> >
> > Emery Stora
> >
> > > On Sep 17, 2019, at 4:51 PM, w schurman via Gmclist <

> > >
> > > Nothing happens when I try to start the generator.
> > >
> > > On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 4:46 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist <

> > >
> > >> If the generator will run fire it up, it will power the converter
> which
> > >> will run the air pump and charge the house batteries.
> > >> The engine should charge the house side but I would think it would
> take
> > a
> > >> while.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>

> > >>> Today I went to retrieve the GMC from a storage lot where it had been
> > >>> sitting for approximately two weeks. One of the air bags was very low
> > so
> > >> I
> > >>> started the engine and hit the raise toggle switch for the compressor
> > to
> > >>> air up the bag and nothing happened. After looking around for the
> > cause I
> > >>> found that I had no house battery voltage, I mean none. Next I
> > >> discovered
> > >>> that I had inadvertently left the "systems check " toggle switch in
> > the
> > >> on
> > >>> position.which completely discharged the house batteries.
> > >>> Not wanting to buy new batteries (if I can help it) can they be
> charged
> > >> up
> > >>> by running the engine and hoping that the combiner will recognize the
> > >> needy
> > >>> house batteries and charge them ?
> > >>> There is no access to electricity in the storage lot so can they be
> > >>> recovered by using a Schumacher XC75 75A battery charged running it
> > with
> > >> a
> > >>> 400 watt inverter running off my SUV engine battery ?
> > >>> The batteries while 3 years old they have never been totally
> > discharged.
> > >>> All advice is much appreciated
> > >>>
> > >>> William S. Schurman
> > >>> box 772806
> > >>> Steamboat Springs, CO
> > >>> 80477
> > >>> 1978 Palm Beach
> > >>> TZE168V100258
> > >>> _______________________________________________
> > >>> GMCnet mailing list
> > >>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > >>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> C. Boyd
> > >> 76 Crestmont
> > >> East Tennessee
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> GMCnet mailing list
> > >> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > >> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > William S. Schurman
> > > box 772806
> > > Steamboat Springs, CO
> > > 80477
> > > 1978 Palm Beach
> > > TZE168V100258
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GMCnet mailing list
> > > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
> --
> William S. Schurman
> box 772806
> Steamboat Springs, CO
> 80477
> 1978 Palm Beach
> TZE168V100258
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> Unfortunately I am alone and the boost switch is spring loaded so i cannot
> be in two places at once.

No need. Get a screwdriver, stick into the booth switch to hold it, go
to the generator start switch. Done.

BTDT.
--
Best regards

Peer Oliver "Olly" Schmidt
PGP KeyID: 0x4196BF22
'76a 26' Eleganza II - Virginia, US
'73 23' Sequoia - Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
 
Why don't you jump the generator with your SUV?
--
Patti & Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
77 Palm Beach - Parts Coach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
 
Isn't a '78 Palm Beach equipped with Electro-Level II - one compressor for each side? If it's not running, but the engine starts, I'd first check the
fuses because it's run off of the chassis electric if it's not modified. (I think). House power isn't needed - just consider that the ride height is
a needed function of driving.

The Electro-Level II is detailed in maintenance manual X7725 beginning on page 184 (4B-2). You can access the manual from BDUB's site:
http://www.bdub.net/factory-manuals.html
http://www.bdub.net/factory-manuals.html

I know this doesn't answer your question, but maybe you'll find the solution in the manual.
--
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
 
I had that problem one time so I got a piece of wood that would prop between the switch and the front of the seat. I moved the seat forward to keep pressure on the switch.

You can also run a jumper wire from the positive of the battery to one side of the boost solenoid and it will keep the boost engaged.

Emery Stora

>
> Unfortunately I am alone and the boost switch is spring loaded so i cannot
> be in two places at once.
>
> On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 5:05 PM Emery Stora via Gmclist <

>
>> Hold your boost switch down and start the generator. Then it should charge
>> the house batteries.
>>
>> Emery Stora
>>
>>> On Sep 17, 2019, at 4:51 PM, w schurman via Gmclist <

>>>
>>> Nothing happens when I try to start the generator.
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2019 at 4:46 PM Charles Boyd via Gmclist <

>>>
>>>> If the generator will run fire it up, it will power the converter which
>>>> will run the air pump and charge the house batteries.
>>>> The engine should charge the house side but I would think it would take
>> a
>>>> while.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>

>>>>> Today I went to retrieve the GMC from a storage lot where it had been
>>>>> sitting for approximately two weeks. One of the air bags was very low
>> so
>>>> I
>>>>> started the engine and hit the raise toggle switch for the compressor
>> to
>>>>> air up the bag and nothing happened. After looking around for the
>> cause I
>>>>> found that I had no house battery voltage, I mean none. Next I
>>>> discovered
>>>>> that I had inadvertently left the "systems check " toggle switch in
>> the
>>>> on
>>>>> position.which completely discharged the house batteries.
>>>>> Not wanting to buy new batteries (if I can help it) can they be charged
>>>> up
>>>>> by running the engine and hoping that the combiner will recognize the
>>>> needy
>>>>> house batteries and charge them ?
>>>>> There is no access to electricity in the storage lot so can they be
>>>>> recovered by using a Schumacher XC75 75A battery charged running it
>> with
>>>> a
>>>>> 400 watt inverter running off my SUV engine battery ?
>>>>> The batteries while 3 years old they have never been totally
>> discharged.
>>>>> All advice is much appreciated
>>>>>
>>>>> William S. Schurman
>>>>> box 772806
>>>>> Steamboat Springs, CO
>>>>> 80477
>>>>> 1978 Palm Beach
>>>>> TZE168V100258
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> C. Boyd
>>>> 76 Crestmont
>>>> East Tennessee
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> William S. Schurman
>>> box 772806
>>> Steamboat Springs, CO
>>> 80477
>>> 1978 Palm Beach
>>> TZE168V100258
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> --
> William S. Schurman
> box 772806
> Steamboat Springs, CO
> 80477
> 1978 Palm Beach
> TZE168V100258
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> Why don't you jump the generator with your SUV?

I read every one of these posts looking to see if any one suggested this. Simply throw a set of jumper cables on the house battery, if someone has
not stolen it. If the house battery is gone or completely dead, or has a dirty battery cable, the boost will not work because the power for the boost
solenoid comes from the house battery and NOT the engine battery.

There are several other ways to do this

1. a big thick battery cable jumper across the two big terminals of the boost relay.

2. A $1.00 combiner (2 alligator clips and a 16 gauge wire) connected from engine battery positive terminal on the boost solenoid to to the boost
relay coil terminal.

3. start the main engine and let it run to charge the house battery for a few minutes. Then press boost with the engine still running. Jam a piece
of thick folded paper or tooth pick or Popsicle stick in the side of the boost rocker switch to hold it on. Any of those will work.
coil.

Good Luck

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Applied GMC
Get your shine on at www.cruzingear.co

Share this page

Share this page
Top Bottom
Back