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Battery Wiring on a 1976 Birchaven [message #150066]

Fri, 18 November 2011 22:04

bess

Messages: 46
Registered: September 2011
Location: Illinois

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Can someone please give me some advice on Battery Wiring on a 1976 Birchaven 23 Foot. I am not sure if I have some Creative Wiring or if it is the Original Wiring but on the Passenger Side of the Coach I have Two Batteries. These Two Batteries have a Wire that Connects them Together. I think one is the Battery that Starts the Motorhome and the other is for the Generator. On the Drivers Side, there is Another Battery and this one is for the Coach Lights. Can any one tell me if this Wire that connects the two Batteries together on the Passenger side of the Coach is the way it was Originally suppose to be?

Bess Brenenstall Elvaston, Illinois 1976 Birchaven

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Re: Battery Wiring on a 1976 Birchaven [message #150075 is a reply to message #150066]

Sat, 19 November 2011 02:01

mike miller

Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon

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bess wrote on Fri, 18 November 2011 20:04

Can someone please give me some advice on Battery Wiring on a 1976 Birchaven 23 Foot. ...

... Can any one tell me if this Wire that connects the two Batteries together on the Passenger side of the Coach is the way it was Originally suppose to be?

There should NOT be any wires directly connecting the batteries together on either the positive or negative (ground) side. (Granted there is less of an issue if someone has connected the ground side...)

I am at work so I do not have time to look up the correct diagram... I'll do it later if I have time. (If someone else doesn't do it.) NOTE: the Birch is wired "a little" differently than other coaches.

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 Wiring on a 1976 Birchaven [message #150111 is a reply to message #150075]

Sat, 19 November 2011 11:22

mike miller

Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon

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Quote:

... but on the Passenger Side of the Coach I have Two Batteries. These Two Batteries have a Wire that Connects them Together. I think one is the Battery that Starts the Motorhome and the other is for the Generator. On the Drivers Side, there is Another Battery and this one is for the Coach Lights. Can any one tell me if this Wire that connects the two Batteries together on the Passenger side of the Coach is the way it was Originally suppose to be?

I suspect the PO has moved the engine battery to the driver's side and replaced the SINGLE 12v house battery with TWO 6v batteries. These batteries would be connected like the two batteries in a flash light... the positive on one would be connected to the negative post of the other. These two batteries should be thought of as one BIG 12 volt battery split into two cases for ease of handling.

Mike Miller wrote on Sat, 19 November 2011 00:01

I am at work so I do not have time to look up the correct diagram... I'll do it later if I have time. (If someone else doesn't do it.) NOTE: the Birch is wired "a little" differently than other coaches.

The file you need is: "1977_Coachmen_23RB_Electrical_and_Plumbing_Drawings.pdf"

It is the closest to your year I have seen.

You can find it here:
<http://www.bdub.net/wirediagrams/>

Look on page 12.

Problems with this diagram:

1. -- Neither of my Birch's (77 and 78) have an "AUX Battery" or the 8 gauge wire connecting it to the front mounted "50 amp breaker." I understand that some early Birch's DID have a battery back by the generator, but I question if it was connected as this drawing indicates.

2. -- The diagram seems to imply a single ground. (The frame) But in fact there are different places that the batteries SHOULD be grounded for the lowest voltage drop on the main use of THAT battery. Granted there are grounding straps that will allow the improper grounding to "work just fine".... until the straps get old and corrode.

About grounds:

In theory: Engine batteries and accessories should be grounded to the engine. House batteries and accessories should be grounded to the house (aka the body's aluminum frame) Generator batteries should be grounded to... you guessed it, the generator.

In practice: Most front mounted house batteries are grounded to the coach's steel frame. Many also connect the engine battery to the same place, then run a strap to the engine block. (Not the best practice, it is better to connect to the block and THEN a strap between the block and the frame.)

Clear up anything? Or did I just stir the mud? Rolling Eyes

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Re: Battery Wiring on a 1976 Birchaven [message #150114 is a reply to message #150111]

Sat, 19 November 2011 12:05

bess

Messages: 46
Registered: September 2011
Location: Illinois

Karma: 0

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Hi Mike, Thank You for helping me. The Two Batteries on the Passenger Side are 12 Volt Batteries and there is a Wire running from one to the other. I called the Battery Dealer who put the new batteries in to ask why the wire was there conncecting the two - & he said that it the way it was wired when it was towed in by the previous owner. When the Battery Isolator went out - the Mechanic put a New Wire back on connecting the Two & said it was suppose to be on there. The Battery Dealer had a Thin Wire on it and the Mechanic put a heavier wire on. The RV Dealer who is checking on a few things on the coach, at first thought the wire shouldn't be on there - but after a little investigating is now thinking it makes more sense for it to be on there. I sent a wiring diagram to the RV Dealer a few days ago from the link for the wiring on a 75/76 Birchaven and he said it wasn't quite like mine. It is still at the RV Dealer now. I really Appreciate Your Help - bes

Bess Brenenstall Elvaston, Illinois 1976 Birchaven

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