| Battery and/or starting issues [message #189043] |
Sat, 03 November 2012 09:06  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
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Trying to work through a few issues on the new coach.
When we first looked at it, we had to hit the boost button to start it. NOTHING on the engine battery. Decided the mechanic had thrown the disconnect switch the wrong way.
When we went to pick it up, the engine battery was very weak and wouldn't start the coach. Charged it a while at the dealer and it made some noises but we finally just hit boost and drove it home.
Better noises when we got home after a 2 hour interstate run. Gauge showed 13V charging all the way.
Been plugged in to shore power since. Engine battery still won't start the engine by itself. My meter showed 12.5V on the battery so I pulled it and took it to my local Advance. They tested and said it was not fully charged but the result was iffy. I've had it on the charger all night and will let them test it again today. This morning, my charger says the battery is at 100%. Whether it stays at 100% or will take a load is the question.
The battery connectors looked clean and were tight. There is a large battery disconnect in the circuit that I have not bypassed to see if it is the problem. On the list to do.
The other thing I noticed is that they battery cables are these common 4 gauge things. I'm wondering if I should replace them with the heavier 2 gauge wires. There are several wires that would need to be replaced if I go this route. Advance sells some of the heavier cables I need but some will need to be fabricated. They sell the wire (clear insulation 2 gauge copper) by the foot with solder on connectors or crimp on connectors. I'm thinking I'll go the solder on approach with shrink tubing.
Since the house battery starts the engine fine, I assume that wiring is OK but I'll look at it also.
The house battery is a fairly new 12V. The engine battery is a 5 year old 950Amp top of the line from Advance. Based on what I've read while drinking from the GMC firehose here, the hot setup is to put two 6V golf cart batteries in series for the house battery. If my engine battery is bad, I can pull the house battery and move it up front and go with two 6 V for the rear.
Thoughts, suggestions, and comments please.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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