Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Buzz Box Question
| Buzz Box Question [message #203110] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 18:21  |
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Richard Andis
Messages: 261
Registered: January 2013
Location: HELL Paso, TX
Karma: 0
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Sorry, Newbie question. I did search the Owner's manual and archives. Didn't find anything definitive.
1978 twin bed Royale. PO has built a bridge over the twins and slipped in a full mattress. Other than that, Bone stock as far as I can tell. In order to access the electrics I have to crawl through a tunnel under the bed (which gives me flashbacks to my submarine days).
Question: When plugged into shorepower (115V 30A), do I leave the buzzbox plugged in and let it do it's thing? Or, do I unplug it and let the batteries discharge to a certain level. Should I be checking battery water levels while it's on? How often? I want to get the most out of my house batteries and not boil or otherwise damage them.
It would seem if the designers thought this was a problem they would have put a remote on/off switch on the monitor panel.
Valhalla - 1978 GMC Royale rear twin [SOLD]
Walküre - 1974 VW Thing (Toad)
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| Re: Buzz Box Question [message #203113 is a reply to message #203110] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 18:46  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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| Richard Andis wrote on Sat, 30 March 2013 19:21 |
Sorry, Newbie question. I did search the Owner's manual and archives. Didn't find anything definitive.
1978 twin bed Royale. PO has built a bridge over the twins and slipped in a full mattress. Other than that, Bone stock as far as I can tell. In order to access the electrics I have to crawl through a tunnel under the bed (which gives me flashbacks to my submarine days).
Question: When plugged into shorepower (115V 30A), do I leave the buzzbox plugged in and let it do it's thing? Or, do I unplug it and let the batteries discharge to a certain level. Should I be checking battery water levels while it's on? How often? I want to get the most out of my house batteries and not boil or otherwise damage them.
It would seem if the designers thought this was a problem they would have put a remote on/off switch on the monitor panel.
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Richard,
The concept of leaving the coach attached to shore power for extended periods was not considered in 1978.
If the coach does indeed still have a buzz-box, do not leave it powered up more than a day or two at most. If you can get around the web, you can find one that you can leave on indefinitely for a reasonable cost. Your house bank will last longer too.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buzz Box Question [message #203137 is a reply to message #203133] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 20:36 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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A little history lesson for those who are "newbies": Some years back,
probably 9+, I installed a Progressive Dynamics PD9145, the predecessor of
the current 9245. I bought it "refurbished" from the manufacturer to
replace a one year old StatPower 40 which failed "completely" after our
2000 trip to Alaska.
After the 9145's 1 year warranty ran out, it failed. But only slightly.
One of the output terminal lugs became desoldered from the PC board. I
didn't think much about it when I resoldered the lug, and added a bolt
through the lug & board to reinforce it. Naturally, I reported here for
the benefit of anyone with a similar problem.
Someone, I know not who, forwarded my report to Progressive Dynamics.
Shortly they were calling me, essentially DEMANDING that I send them my
converter. I tried to explain that I"d fixed it "better than new" and
didn't really care to bother packing and shipping it. They still insisted,
to the extent of sending me a new unit, and some other products (Charge
Wizards, IIRC) for rally door prizes. I can't say I'm still running that
unit because a catastrophic surge from Florida Power in Winter Haven a few
years ago took that one out. But I insisted on an exact replacement from
them.
That example of extraordinary customer support was really the start of the
GMC community's avid support of Progressive Dynamics. There are some who
have other preferences, but I don't know anyone who's ever been
disappointed with a PD.
Just thinking everyone should know.
Oh yeah -- Re: Changes when changing converters: Some of the OEM
converters (at least in Coachmen-fitted GMC's) have the DC fuses internal
to the converter. Most replacements will have only internal output
protection so that you'll have to add external fuse blocks for the house
circuits. No big deal. Any auto parts store or boating supply store
should have a suitable one -- only a few are needed.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI+ & EBL
www.gmcwipersetc.com
On Sat, Mar 30, 2013 at 9:20 PM, Joe Crutchfield wrote:
>
>
> Dan, I know there are many options that I could choose, but just looking
> for an economical way to get the basics in good working order. I have
> inspected all my 12v and 110v wiring, circuit boxes, and 12 volt fuse panel
> and everything seems to be in good condition. When making your decision to
> install the new converter did you do any wiring replacement or fuse box
> upgrade? Just curious.
> --
>
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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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| Re: Buzz Box Question [message #203142 is a reply to message #203134] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 20:55 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Like Ken H., I have had my PD 9145 with charge wizard since 2002. It has run flawlessly ever since then. I leave mine plugged in 24/7 any time the coach is not on the road. I only check the battery water(acid) level once a year in the spring. It does not use much water. Oh yes, my twin 6 volt deep cycle house batteries are 10 years old next month and still going strong using the PD unit to maintain them.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Buzz Box Question [message #203151 is a reply to message #203142] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 21:19 |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Ken and Ken, are your PD's connected to the house batteries, engine battery or both? And how/where?
My coach has the PD feed into one of those red marine switches which can select one battery or the other or both? Doesn't seem like connecting the two together directly would be a very good idea. I have the original isolator and no combiner, I think.
Still trying to figure this wiring out.
Thanks
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buzz Box Question [message #203154 is a reply to message #203132] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 21:28 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Dan i love your design as well, need to get the whole thing some day when i have time, wish i could have bought that from jimB
i have not bought anything from him yet. I would like to buy one as soon as i check and see if i still have a buzz box.
mickey
:-) (-:
77 palm beach\\/
anaheim ca.
On Mar 30, 2013, at 6:14 PM, Dan Gregg wrote:
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> Joe, I put the 45 amp in mine. I did that because it will run on a 1k portable generator. Works great. Jim B was selling them at Dothan for 100 bux each. I have the charge wizard on mine so I can change which cycle it is in, but rarely do. We have 300 watts of solar panels, so we never plug the coach in at home. Others like bigger converters. This topic has been here in the past but might have been lost along the way. We have 30 amp service and one roof air. I have 4 6 volt house batteries.
> Dan
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
> Dexter, Mo.
>
> http://danandteri.blogspot.com/
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Buzz Box Question [message #203155 is a reply to message #203139] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 21:33 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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JOe if he has more to sell let me know i may get one if i need it.
mickey
77 p. beach
ca.
On Mar 30, 2013, at 6:45 PM, Joe Crutchfield wrote:
>
>
> Thanks Ken. I was about to send you a PM for your recommendation on a replacement when Richard posted his question. I am reading the installation guide for the PD9245 right now. I am going to call Jim and see if he still has a deal on them. If I run into any problems when I install it I will be sure to ask for help.
>
>
> --
> Joe Crutchfield,
> Watertown, TN,
> 77 Royale by Coachman, Rear Bath, 455, 3.07,
>
> "Strangers are just friends I haven't met yet" - Will Rogers.
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| Re: Buzz Box Question [message #203162 is a reply to message #203158] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 22:09 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Joe,
One of the first mods I made to our coach was to add a PD-9245. When I first got the coach, I did not know anything about the buzz box overcharging the batteries and left the coach plugged in for several weeks. When I got around to checking the batteries, they were dry. I bought a new PD-9245 from Jim B and installed it soon afterward.
The only thing I modified was to upgrade the wire size from the new charger to the positive lug in the rear of the electrical compartment (from #10 to #6). That way I can be sure the wiring will handle the amps going into the battery. The system has been trouble free ever since.
Last year, I installed a small solar charging system (140 watts) and do not leave the coach plugged in any more. I check the batteries about every three or four months (or whenever I think of it) and they have been fine, even in the Southwest Desert heat and dryness.
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
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| Re: Buzz Box Question [message #203164 is a reply to message #203110] |
Sat, 30 March 2013 22:14 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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PD is probably great. I have an IOTA 30 DC and it's been great. Fan speed modulates to load and heat. Once fully charged that equates to fan off. If you loose the Buzz you gain a bench PSU and loose a bunch of weight.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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