| Alternator/Isolator/Battery Problems/Questions [message #247443] |
Mon, 14 April 2014 20:22  |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
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The 76 Palm Beach has one 12v Engine batt up front and 2 6v golf cart house batts by the onan. Has functioned well for years.
After a recent 1000 mile trip (I assume all batts are fully charged now) After the coach was parked a few days the engine batt was dead and the house batts barely had enough juice to start the onan.
Started the onan then started the 455- Noticed that the amp meter was registering almost 60 amps and it continued to read 30+ amps after a 15 mile drive. I assumed the high amp output was because all batts were so low. The ampmeter reading finally dropped to near zero but remained positive.
With the engine NOT running I had 12+ volts at three terminals on the isolator. I assumed the isolator had gone south.
With the batteries charged and the alt working I took another 1200 mile trip. Mid trip I installed a new isolator and discovered that without the engine running and with the alt wire disconnected from the isolator I get a 9v+ reading on the wire.
So now I'm thinking the alternator/regulator is bad.
Back home and the current situation is:
Engine NOT running
Isolator readings:Alt terminal 12.24v Disconnected Alt wire 9.16v
Engine batt terminal=12.64v
House batt terminal=11.77v
With engine running and alt wire attached to isolator:
Alt terminal= 16.45v
Engine batt terminal= 15.5v
House batt terminal=15+v
While taking these readings with the engine running I discovered the alt wire is very hot.
Some where along the way the alt light stopped working- I changed the bulb but I think the contacts may be defective.
So, is the easy answer install a new alternator because the output is too high? Or are there other things to check first?
Thanks for the input.
I'm confident that Ken B. will have a solution in less time than it took me to explain the problem.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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