| Electrical problems [message #135632] |
Fri, 22 July 2011 22:53  |
nchapekis
Messages: 165
Registered: February 2004
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Finished changing my left outer cv boot this evening and started on charging the AC with Duracool. When I fired up the coach to run the AC compressor, gen light came on and only 8 amps on gauge. Alternator was turning, but also emitting an orange glow, so I'm 99% sure the alternator's toast. However, I now also have no 12 volt anywhere on the house side. Charge Wizard on PD converter was going on and off while the coach was running, while the house batteries showed normal readings at the isolator. Since it was dark out and I had already spent 4 hours on the cv boot, I decided to continue troubleshooting in the morning. Any ideas on whether the alternator problem and house 12 volt problem could be related? With the coach not running, house 12 volt system still doesn't work at all but vehicle side 12 volt is still operational.
Nick Chapekis
Ypsilanti, MI
former owner - 78 Kingsley
|
|
|
|
| Re: Electrical problems [message #135650 is a reply to message #135632] |
Sat, 23 July 2011 04:08  |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Pick one side (House or engine) and start trouble shooting it. You will confuse yourself trying to shoot both at the same time.
If you chose the house, then plug in the converter and see if you have 13.4 or more volts there. If you do then check voltage again at the HOUSE battery. If those are good then you need to start checking cables (especially the battery and the grounds) and then fuses.
If you choose the engine side then check the voltage across the ENGINE battery. It should be 12.5+ volts without the engine running and around 14.0 with the engine running. Depending on what read will tell you where to go from there.
Reading amps out of the alternator does not tell you much. The alternator only puts out whatever is needed to match the load at any given time. If you want to read the voltage out of the alternator, read the center terminal of the isolator to the plate the isolator is mounted on. It should be 14.7 volts with the engine running.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
