| battery drain and airbag farts [message #148630] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 11:43  |
bronevaya
Messages: 63
Registered: May 2011
Location: birmingham al
Karma: 0
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this is a two part question
I am deployed to Kuwait. as such my fiance is caretaker of the gmc. I have occasionally had the battery die on me after not running it every week. it died on my finance and I want to pinpoint why its draining. my guess is that its the power control box that's opposite of the bathroom? that is the only thing that's on in the rv. are we supposed to shut that down? if not where else could the drain be coming from. when she ran it every week its been fine. its now been two weeks and it died.
question two. she states that anytime she makes any big movements it sounds like a loud fart type sound coming from the outside. she said she didn't eat any taco bell so that rules that out. she also said that the driver side airbag is a bit lower than the passenger side.
thank you for the help.
1977 Palm beach
Bham AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] battery drain and airbag farts [message #148637 is a reply to message #148634] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 13:32  |
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I think it depends on how techincal she is; I suppose just disconnecting the battery would be easiast right now. If she can get on here, there a lots of other troubleshooting suggestons for her. How old is the battery? May be the problem.
geo groth '73 260 Sequoia
Carson City Nevada 89703
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148639 is a reply to message #148630] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 13:51 |
bronevaya
Messages: 63
Registered: May 2011
Location: birmingham al
Karma: 0
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seems like both are running down. the main battery is new and was charged before I left. it was running good and started up every time. the house battery, I am not sure how old it is. I have charged it once and it really has not given me trouble but it too has gone low.
across the bathroom we have a "circuit breaker " its a newer unit and has the switches inside. there is a green light that is constantly on in there. could that run down the battery? should we switch that off?
1977 Palm beach
Bham AL
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148642 is a reply to message #148639] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 14:11 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I still do not know for sure which battery you worried about and running down, so I'll assume you are talking about the engine starting battery.
The circuit breaker panel you referenced in the rear across from the bath module is for 120VAC power. It has nothing to do with the 12 volt DC engine battery up front. I can not tell you what the green light is for. It has to be something added after GM built the coach. If I had to guess I would suggest it might be a light to tell you the hot water heater is on or it is a light to tell you the 120VAC to 12 VDC converter is running.
As far as running down the engine battery, you need to figure out what is draining it. Some things that can do it are aftermarket radios, propane / CO detectors, and clocks. Also if someone wired the house and engine batteries in parallel you could have a case of the two batteries discharging each other.
A short term fix would be to charge up the battery and then disconnect it from the coach. This will prevent everything in the coach from slowly discharging the offending battery. Reconnect it in a few weeks and see if it went dead on it's own.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148646 is a reply to message #148630] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 14:29 |
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Is there a new style radio in the rv or is the radio original?
If new style - it is possible there is a current draw even if it is turned off.
John
| bronevaya wrote on Thu, 03 November 2011 09:43 |
this is a two part question
I am deployed to Kuwait. as such my fiance is caretaker of the gmc. I have occasionally had the battery die on me after not running it every week.
thank you for the help.
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John Ruff
Chandler, AZ
1975 Eleganza
WA3RIG
If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148647 is a reply to message #148630] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 14:29 |
bronevaya
Messages: 63
Registered: May 2011
Location: birmingham al
Karma: 0
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thank you for the suggestions. I ordered her a battery disconnect and a jump pack (so she doesn't have to lug that battery in the house to charge it) hopefully this will solve things until something more permanent can be found.
now about the airbags. any ideas? she will be taking video tomorrow so hopefully I have something to show you guys. I know its a bit hard to explain.
1977 Palm beach
Bham AL
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148649 is a reply to message #148647] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 14:39 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Michael,
When parked I usually put some timber inder the bogie (the metal frame base between the rear wheels) and let the air out of the bags. It is better on the bags.
As for the noise -- hard to say. For example, sometimes when you back up and turn sharply, the middle tire can get side loaded and as it looses traction it "pops" loudly.
There is a GMC mechanic in B-ham that Jeremy recommends. And Jeremy might be available to help -- he is on the Black List.
Dennis
| bronevaya wrote on Thu, 03 November 2011 14:29 |
thank you for the suggestions. I ordered her a battery disconnect and a jump pack (so she doesn't have to lug that battery in the house to charge it) hopefully this will solve things until something more permanent can be found.
now about the airbags. any ideas? she will be taking video tomorrow so hopefully I have something to show you guys. I know its a bit hard to explain.
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148650 is a reply to message #148649] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 15:13 |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
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To bronevaya - first, thank you for your service in Kuwait and for dealing with the hardships of being away from home on an extended basis. We do appreciate you!
When I park at home, I keep shore power plugged in to a Progressive Dynamics charger/converter so no worries with the house batteries; and I use a knife switch on the chassis battery that I open when I park - again no worries on the chassis battery. Granted I'm a newbee and only benn at this for 3 months, but I think this is a good system till we winterize and pull the batteries out to keep them in the garage till March.
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
'77 PB 455 "Tinker Toy"
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148664 is a reply to message #148630] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 17:06 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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bronevaya -- I too would like to thank you for your service. I am indeed in the Birmingham area and would be happy to put eyes on the coach if you would prefer. I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I have had my coach a few years and have learned a thing or two.
I'm thinking you have a drain that will need some attention, but there are probably a few things any of us in the area could do to whittle that down. If there is ANY light on in the coach when it is not plugged in to shore power, you have a drain in one of your batteries. Depending on how the batteries are connected, especially given what a previous owner may or may not have done, one drain could draw down both battery banks (house and starter).
As for the noise, that could be any number of things. Too many to list or work with. One airbag being lower than the other is not necessarily a problem. Very few of us actually have completely functional auto leveling systems anymore let alone not having any leaks in the lines that draw down the bags unevenly over time.
Thankfully there is a very good GMC mechanic in Bessemer for any problems that might require immediate attention, though if you aren't planning on using the coach in the near future there is very little short of a gas leak or a rusted through frame that would prove overly hazardous to a sitting coach that is not plugged in.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148668 is a reply to message #148630] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 18:19 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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First be safe. Over there and working on the GMC.
The Green light has us stumped as this is some sort of add on. Is this only on when the coach is plugged in to the wall or all the time even with key off and not on shore/gennerator power?
Ken has tryed to stear you in that the AC breaker panel is not in any way connected to the DC systems, other than providing power to the converter. As far as being safe, as few have talked about disconnecting the batteries once charged. No one has mentioned how to do this safely. Always disconnect the NEGATIVE terminal (black) and not the POSSITVE terminal (red).
Reason being is if you are disonccectiong the Positve first,and the wrench you are using touches ground in any way, you could have a battery explosion and be injured, burned or blinded. An exploding battery is not to be reconned with. Shards of plastic flying and acid splashing are a bad combo. I wish you were closer so we could have a look a sort you out. Probalby something simple as it usually turns out.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148677 is a reply to message #148664] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 20:28 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| jknezek wrote on Thu, 03 November 2011 15:06 |
bronevaya -- I too would like to thank you for your service. I am indeed in the Birmingham area and would be happy to put eyes on the coach if you would prefer. ...
... though if you aren't planning on using the coach in the near future there is very little short of a gas leak or a rusted through frame that would prove overly hazardous to a sitting coach that is not plugged in.
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I also thank you for your service. I was in the Marines for 20 years, but was never sent into harms way. I have respect for those who where.
I suspect your green light is an after-market "Charge Wizard." (Yes it is on when connected to 12v. But it isn't MUCH draw.)
Anyway, I think it would be good to have a GMC'er, like Jeremy, to put the coach in a better "storage state" than it seems to be in. (I would do it myself, but the commute is a bit far....)
Batteries charged and disconnected, boogies blocked and airbags deflated... that sort of thing. Most of what should be done doesn't cost much if anything.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148681 is a reply to message #148647] |
Thu, 03 November 2011 21:18 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| bronevaya wrote on Thu, 03 November 2011 14:29 |
thank you for the suggestions. I ordered her a battery disconnect and a jump pack (so she doesn't have to lug that battery in the house to charge it) hopefully this will solve things until something more permanent can be found.
now about the airbags. any ideas? she will be taking video tomorrow so hopefully I have something to show you guys. I know its a bit hard to explain.
|
I hate to tell you to do it this way but if you do not have any other way to charge that battery in place, then start the engine and let it idle in it's parking spot for a hour. A jump pack will not help to recharge your dead battery and storing it long term in a dead or near dead condition will probably destroy it.
Do not forget to disconnect the battery when you are finished charging it.
Is it parked where you can temporarily run an extension cord to it and throw on a 6 amp or so charger for a day? That would be a better solution to your recharging problem.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148710 is a reply to message #148677] |
Fri, 04 November 2011 10:53 |
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Hardie Johnson
Messages: 483
Registered: January 2004
Location: Raleigh NC
Karma: 0
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| Mike Miller wrote on Thu, 03 November 2011 21:28 |
| jknezek wrote on Thu, 03 November 2011 15:06 |
bronevaya -- I too would like to thank you for your service. I am indeed in the Birmingham area and would be happy to put eyes on the coach if you would prefer. ...
... though if you aren't planning on using the coach in the near future there is very little short of a gas leak or a rusted through frame that would prove overly hazardous to a sitting coach that is not plugged in.
|
I also thank you for your service. I was in the Marines for 20 years, but was never sent into harms way. I have respect for those who where.
I suspect your green light is an after-market "Charge Wizard." (Yes it is on when connected to 12v. But it isn't MUCH draw.)
Anyway, I think it would be good to have a GMC'er, like Jeremy, to put the coach in a better "storage state" than it seems to be in. (I would do it myself, but the commute is a bit far....)
Batteries charged and disconnected, boogies blocked and airbags deflated... that sort of thing. Most of what should be done doesn't cost much if anything.
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I agree with the idea that it is the Wizard on a PD converter. Have her look and see what is written on the box and is it just a box or does it look like a heat sink?
If that is a converter then plug an extension cord into the power cord of the coach.
Hardie Johnson "Crashj"
1973 26 foot Glacier, White Thing
Raleigh NC
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148730 is a reply to message #148630] |
Fri, 04 November 2011 18:02 |
kingd
Messages: 592
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 2
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I have what I think is a PDcharger/converter with a "remote" charge wizard(on a cord like a phone cord) Tomorrow I'll see what the light on the Wizard does when the coach is not plugged in and I'll report back here.
DAVE KING
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148759 is a reply to message #148630] |
Sat, 05 November 2011 07:00 |
bronevaya
Messages: 63
Registered: May 2011
Location: birmingham al
Karma: 0
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Hi guys. Thanks for all the suggestions. I am sorry I cant be on here as often as the internet out on base is really spotty.
As far as the jump pack goes...she says the rv has enough charge to turn the engine over but dies after the first try, so its not completely dead, just dying. the jump pack should give it the jump it needs. After that I told her to run it for about 30 mins and then to connect the battery dis connector. (I told her about the battery precautions)
should I get a battery disconnect for the generator as well?
and as far as the airbags go, she took a picture of the rv and it looks like the passenger side went down all the way but the driver side is still up high.
http://i.imgur.com/SR4Ma.jpg
http://imgur.com/196Sa
1977 Palm beach
Bham AL
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| Re: battery drain and airbag farts [message #148761 is a reply to message #148630] |
Sat, 05 November 2011 07:01 |
bronevaya
Messages: 63
Registered: May 2011
Location: birmingham al
Karma: 0
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Also I dont know if we have a propane leak detector, I wouldnt know how to look for that. And we have the old style radio, looks like a newer unit but its not on when the coach is off.
1977 Palm beach
Bham AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] battery drain and airbag farts [message #148763 is a reply to message #148761] |
Sat, 05 November 2011 07:40 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Michael,
Thanks for being there for us.
Now let us be there for you -- in the form of Jeremy, who's in B'ham &
willing to help.
Are you trying to keep the GMC mobile, or just preserved until your return?
Hopefully the latter, in which case it will be easy: Winterize the water
system (YES, that needs to be done there), charge the batteries and
disconnect them, block under the rear bogies so inevitable air bag leaks
don't leave the coach looking like a derelict, maybe put some Stabil in the
fuel tanks. Don't worry about it until you're back home. Then we'll help
you get it back on the road.
Be careful out there.
Ken Henderson
Lt. Col, USAF Ret.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Sat, Nov 5, 2011 at 8:01 AM, michael <bronevaya@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Also I dont know if we have a propane leak detector, I wouldnt know how to
> look for that. And we have the old style radio, looks like a newer unit but
> its not on when the coach is off.
> --
> 1977 Palm beach
> Bham AL
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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