| Awaking the dead .....! [message #202981] |
Fri, 29 March 2013 19:45  |
radiohound
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2012
Location: Davenport, IA
Karma: 0
|
Junior Member |
|
|
So the snows in Bay City, Michigan have retreated and I went to visit my 77PB yesterday ....
and the batteries were deader than door nails ... I didn't get around to disconnecting the batteries in January as I had planned
I pulled the engine battery out today and am slow charging it overnight before putting it back in on Sunday ...
Any tips to getting it fired back up???
I understand that the engine running will eventually charge the house batteries. Is that correct.
If I can get the Generator running with a charge from the engine, that will charge up the house battery, right ...??
Suggestions and tips gratefully acccepted. Good natured mockery is par for the course ...!
I am so glad you are are there for me ... to help me and remind me of my many failings .. 
Caspar Dioge
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Awaking the dead .....! [message #202984 is a reply to message #202981] |
Fri, 29 March 2013 20:08  |
UziYaH
Messages: 282
Registered: July 2007
Location: 10-O-C
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
What a beautiful humble Spirit. I will wait for those far wiser than I to respond to your questions.
Howard Nylander
Royale Class of '78' - 'Rocinante'
Greeneville, Tn.
________________________________
From: Caspar Dioge <radiohound@aol.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 8:45 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Awaking the dead .....!
So the snows in Bay City, Michigan have retreated and I went to visit my 77PB yesterday ....
and the batteries were deader than door nails ... I didn't get around to disconnecting the batteries in January as I had planned
I pulled the engine battery out today and am slow charging it overnight before putting it back in on Sunday ...
Any tips to getting it fired back up???
I understand that the engine running will eventually charge the house batteries. Is that correct.
If I can get the Generator running with a charge from the engine, that will charge up the house battery, right ...??
Suggestions and tips gratefully acccepted. Good natured mockery is par for the course ...!
I am so glad you are are there for me ... to help me and remind me of my many failings .. :)
--
Caspar Dioge
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Howard Nylander
Royale Class of "78" "Rocinate"
E-10-o-C
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Awaking the dead .....! [message #202990 is a reply to message #202981] |
Fri, 29 March 2013 21:01 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
If you have the correct deep cycle batteries in the house position(s), yes they will be charged by the the main engine generator but it is going to take a long time. Those type of batteries do not take a charge at the same rate that the engine starting battery does. Also they hold a bigger charge.
So unless you are going on a trip and driving for the next two days, I would suggest that you put a 6 to 10 amp battery charger on that battery(s) and leave it there for 24 to 48 hours. I am assuming that your charger will trickle down to a lower rate as the battery charge level comes up.
A second option is to just plug in the coach and let the converter charge your house battery(s). If you have an original converter I would be careful not to leave the battery(s) on charge too long. I would start with 1 day and then take hydrometer reading to see how much charge your batteries contain. Based on that I would charge some more if necessary.
Do not forget to check the electrolyte level and add distilled water as necessary. I am also worried that you might have frozen and broken the batteries if they were not stored in a charged state over the winter. So look closely for broken battery cases.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
|
|
|
|
| Re: Awaking the dead .....! [message #202993 is a reply to message #202990] |
Fri, 29 March 2013 21:14 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| Ken Burton wrote on Fri, 29 March 2013 19:01 |
If you have the correct deep cycle batteries in the house position(s), yes they will be charged by the the main engine generator but it is going to take a long time. Those type of batteries do not take a charge at the same rate that the engine starting battery does. Also they hold a bigger charge.
So unless you are going on a trip and driving for the next two days, I would suggest that you put a 6 to 10 amp battery charger on that battery(s) and leave it there for 24 to 48 hours. I am assuming that your charger will trickle down to a lower rate as the battery charge level comes up.
A second option is to just plug in the coach and let the converter charge your house battery(s). If you have an original converter I would be careful not to leave the battery(s) on charge too long. I would start with 1 day and then take hydrometer reading to see how much charge your batteries contain. Based on that I would charge some more if necessary.
Do not forget to check the electrolyte level and add distilled water as necessary. I am also worried that you might have frozen and broken the batteries if they were not stored in a charged state over the winter. So look closely for broken battery cases.
|
To add to what Ken said, I have been cautioned to not charge a dead or nearly dead battery with the engine alternator. The theory is that the alternator will be working harder for longer than it normally does for charging a starting battery that is in good shape, and can overheat. You SHOULD recharge your house battery(ies) with a battery charger , which could be the coach converter running off the Onan. But, as Ken stated, it will take a long time.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
|
|
|
|
| Re: Awaking the dead .....! [message #202999 is a reply to message #202981] |
Fri, 29 March 2013 22:07 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
|
Senior Member |
|
|
When they are that dead, slow is the way to try to bring them back. I prefer the 1a type battery minder if you have the time. Probably several days each. When done, it goes into desulfonate mode. There is a good chance frozen electrolite has warped the plates and you need new batts if dependability is important.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
|
|
|
|
| Re: Awaking the dead .....! [message #203012 is a reply to message #202981] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 06:00 |
chasingsummer
Messages: 434
Registered: May 2011
Location: asheboro, nc
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
related question
would there be any plus or minus in running the genny in this case to charge battery?
also related
I have original buz box. I understand it does not self regulate. I go by the uneducated opinion that when my buzz box is running I need house lights on as a small steady drain to offset the unregulated charge. Am I dreaming? does this help ?
thanks
brian
asheboro, nc
75 eleganza, 74 build
119k miles and counting,
DOG HOUSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Awaking the dead .....! [message #203016 is a reply to message #203013] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 07:45 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
How did I know that Gene would try to sell you a combiner which has absolutely nothing to do with your question or charging the house batteries in your situation?
I would not bother trying to charge with the Onan. It will still take days. Plug in to commercial power to charge it or let the engine alternator do the job if you are going to be traveling. These house batteries are not going to take a lot of charging current for very long. After that it is a slow process.
The OEM converter is regulated at some where around 13.6 volts. That is not high enough to quick charge the batteries and but still too high to leave it connected for days on end. The converter will not drop down to a trickle as the battery reaches full charge. So that is your exposure ONLY after days of being left on charge with a converter.
I still say a 6 to 10 amp trickle down type charger plugged into to commercial power is your best bet to bring those house batteries back to life.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Awaking the dead .....! [message #203023 is a reply to message #202981] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 08:29 |
Craig Lechowicz
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I hate doing it every year, but now that I'm living on a more frugal income, I've come to the conclusion it it more than worthwhile to take every seasonal use battery I own (7!) and carry them into the basement for the winter. I've gone from buying on average 2 or 3 batteries every year, to maybe 1 every other year, a big difference. It's much easier to remember to throw the trickle charger on them down there as well.
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Awaking the dead .....! [message #203138 is a reply to message #203116] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 20:43 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| k2gkk wrote on Sat, 30 March 2013 19:01 |
I would say that a good converter running from the genset, would charge as well as from shorepower.
Use of the Onan's puny INTERNAL charger capability would indeed be an exercise in futility!
Mac from OKC
"Money Pit"
Sent from my iPhone
|
The Onan and converter combination will charge the batteries but it is a matter of time and fuel. The 13.6 or 13.7 volt output will take longer vs. a normal plug in charger or using the engine alternator.
The cost of fuel at $3.00 to $4.00 an hour to run the Onan vs. a few cents per hour to run on shore power is a real difference cost.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Awaking the dead .....! [message #203163 is a reply to message #203138] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 22:09 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I wasn't suggesting firing up Onan just to
run the converter/charger but that the
charge time should be basically the same
regardless of the source of the 120 VAC.
Mac from OKC
"Money Pit"
Sent from my iPhone
On Mar 30, 2013, at 20:43, "Ken Burton" <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
k2gkk wrote on Sat, 30 March 2013 19:01
> I would say that a good converter running from the genset, would charge as well as from shorepower.
>
> Use of the Onan's puny INTERNAL charger capability would indeed be an exercise in futility!
>
> Mac from OKC
> "Money Pit"
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
The Onan and converter combination will charge the batteries but it is a matter of time and fuel. The 13.6 or 13.7 volt output will take longer vs. a normal plug in charger or using the engine alternator.
The cost of fuel at $3.00 to $4.00 an hour to run the Onan vs. a few cents per hour to run on shore power is a real difference cost.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
next year they come out when the coach gets parked.