Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Avion house battery wiring (Why did they fuse the rear batteries inline?)
| Avion house battery wiring [message #258355] |
Sun, 10 August 2014 10:11  |
The Dr
Messages: 75
Registered: July 2014
Location: Toledo, OR
Karma: 0
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I am about to try to install a new Progressive Dynamics power distribution center in my Avion and am trying to understand why the engineers chose to wire it the way that they did.
The front house battery is wired off of a 30A fuse in the interior fuse blocks while the rear two batteries are wired off of an inline 40A fuse. The two rear batteries are shown as wired in parallel and are used to start the Onan as well as add to the front house battery to drive the 12v system when the converter is off.
The only possibility I can come up with is that the fuse block is rated at a maximum of 30A per fuse and because it may be charging two batteries in the rear a 40A fuse was deemed necessary. I find that a weak argument since the converter is wired in through two parallel 20A fuses which means 40A protection if I remember my electrical from long ago.
I am considering wiring the two rear batteries from two 20A fuses in the new distribution center instead of the inline fuse since that would keep all of the fuses in one place instead of multiple locations.
Since a picture is worth a thousand words, the wiring diagram can be found in the Avion Interior Operation and Service Manual on page 6 on bdub's site at http://www.bdub.net/manuals/avion.pdf.
Special thanks to Billy for the site. It has really helped when my thumb drive and manual are in storage with the coach and I'm not. 
Thanks for any inspiration.
Mike Sauer
Toledo, OR
1975 26' Avion
1-ton front end, SullyBilt AirBag System, 3.21 tranny
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| Re: [GMCnet] Avion house battery wiring [message #258396 is a reply to message #258355] |
Sun, 10 August 2014 14:57  |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Mike,
Unless you’re going to do a complete replacement of the wiring in the Avion, then I would suggest that you just put in the new PD unit and use the coach for now. I will agree that the Avion wiring leaves a to be desired and it is what you have typed and I have purchased a new AC/DC power distribution center to redo the wiring. I want all the DC and AC wiring out of the bath and moved to the rear at the base of the center cabinet and will be also moving the inverter/charger to the location under the back under the bed.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
On Aug 10, 2014, at 11:13 AM, Mike Sauer wrote:
> I am about to try to install a new Progressive Dynamics power distribution center in my Avion and am trying to understand why the engineers chose to
> wire it the way that they did.
>
> The front house battery is wired off of a 30A fuse in the interior fuse blocks while the rear two batteries are wired off of an inline 40A fuse. The
> two rear batteries are shown as wired in parallel and are used to start the Onan as well as add to the front house battery to drive the 12v system
> when the converter is off.
>
> The only possibility I can come up with is that the fuse block is rated at a maximum of 30A per fuse and because it may be charging two batteries in
> the rear a 40A fuse was deemed necessary. I find that a weak argument since the converter is wired in through two parallel 20A fuses which means 40A
> protection if I remember my electrical from long ago.
>
> I am considering wiring the two rear batteries from two 20A fuses in the new distribution center instead of the inline fuse since that would keep all
> of the fuses in one place instead of multiple locations.
>
> Since a picture is worth a thousand words, the wiring diagram can be found in the Avion Interior Operation and Service Manual on page 6 on bdub's site
> at http://www.bdub.net/manuals/avion.pdf.
>
> Special thanks to Billy for the site. It has really helped when my thumb drive and manual are in storage with the coach and I'm not. :d
>
> Thanks for any inspiration.
>
> --
> Mike Sauer
> Toledo, OR
> 1975 26' Avion
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> GMCnet mailing list
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> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Avion house battery wiring [message #258406 is a reply to message #258396] |
Sun, 10 August 2014 17:32 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I suspect that your Avion wiring has been changed from the 1975 original. Both my Avion's had an engine and a house battery up front, side-by-side, with an additional 12v battery in a battery box under the driver's side twin bed. The front house battery and the rear house battery were wired as parallel (a very poor idea).
The first Avion had the buzz box mounted under the bath sink, next to the 12v distribution center. I placed my PD9245 there and just moved the wiring. However, I was not trying to rewire into a distribution center. I really think the OEM (Avion) 12v fuse panel leaves a lot to desire in both service and location.
Second Avion has been rewired, with a Xantex Freedom 10 power converter/inverter that just died.
Bad lightening storm. If I cannot retrieve the Xantex, I'll just use a PD.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: [GMCnet] Avion house battery wiring [message #258437 is a reply to message #258406] |
Sun, 10 August 2014 21:27 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Actually Tom, mine is wired the same as his and it is just like the wiring diagram.
See wiring diagram on page 21.
http://www.bdub.net/manuals/avion.pdf
As I said earlier the Avion Wiring is poorly done and hazard with everything located in the bath room cabinet.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
On Aug 10, 2014, at 6:33 PM, Thomas Phipps wrote:
> I suspect that your Avion wiring has been changed from the 1975 original. Both my Avion's had an engine and a house battery up front, side-by-side,
> with an additional 12v battery in a battery box under the driver's side twin bed. The front house battery and the rear house battery were wired as
> parallel (a very poor idea).
> The first Avion had the buzz box mounted under the bath sink, next to the 12v distribution center. I placed my PD9245 there and just moved the
> wiring. However, I was not trying to rewire into a distribution center. I really think the OEM (Avion) 12v fuse panel leaves a lot to desire in both
> service and location.
> Second Avion has been rewired, with a Xantex Freedom 10 power converter/inverter that just died.
> Bad lightening storm. If I cannot retrieve the Xantex, I'll just use a PD.
> Tom, MS II
> --
> 1975 GMC Avion
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Avion house battery wiring [message #258507 is a reply to message #258396] |
Mon, 11 August 2014 14:37 |
The Dr
Messages: 75
Registered: July 2014
Location: Toledo, OR
Karma: 0
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Member |
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JR,
I agree. I really am getting doubtful about having everything in the bathroom due to the moisture level. I am going to hold off moving the center to a new location until we do the major remodel. This is just a replacement in the bathroom.
I have found that having the charging system under the bed is not always a great idea since some people do have problems with EMF created by the charger/converter. My mom and brother actually had reaction to the fields. Most people don't notice it. Just a thought.
Due to corrosion, ease of use, getting rid of the buzzbox, and keeping everything together I decided to due this part sooner rather than later. Hate to do a job twice, but sometimes it is necessary.
I feel fortunate that I can do the electrical stuff, otherwise this would be a nightmare.
Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions. Hope we can meet someday. Would love to see another Avion.
Mike
26' 1975 Avion
Toledo, Oregon
powerjon wrote on Sun, 10 August 2014 12:57Mike,
Unless you're going to do a complete replacement of the wiring in the Avion, then I would suggest that you just put in the new PD unit and use the coach for now. I will agree that the Avion wiring leaves a to be desired and it is what you have typed and I have purchased a new AC/DC power distribution center to redo the wiring. I want all the DC and AC wiring out of the bath and moved to the rear at the base of the center cabinet and will be also moving the inverter/charger to the location under the back under the bed.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
Mike Sauer
Toledo, OR
1975 26' Avion
1-ton front end, SullyBilt AirBag System, 3.21 tranny
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| Re: [GMCnet] Avion house battery wiring [message #258550 is a reply to message #258535] |
Mon, 11 August 2014 22:39 |
The Dr
Messages: 75
Registered: July 2014
Location: Toledo, OR
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Thanks, Rob.
I bought all the parts and found that the distribution center was just a bit larger than I expected. Then I saw the rust on the latch brackets for the doors and thought about the fan venting I'll need to do for the converter/charger. Getting a little nervous about all that warm moist air. I will have to check and see if a fantastic fan will fit in place of the existing fan. It is similar size to the one installed.
I am putting a transfer switch in the cable cabinet, a surge suppressor below the city water inlet which I may cap off and remove, not sure yet. The new distribution center will go in the left door. I am trying to figure out how to do it without cutting the paneling. That's why I'm leaning to a temp job to get things working right and when we redo the interior I will find a permanent spot.
I did enjoy the pictures of your installation.
Thanks again,
Mike
USAussie wrote on Mon, 11 August 2014 17:47G'day,
I have noted many times here that I am electrically / electronically challenged; keep that in mind as you read on. Also be advised
that Double Trouble has the OEM copper plumbing. I've had to repair a couple of spots that split from going through a hard freeze.
In 2008 (at my request) JimB installed an Iota Automatic Transfer Switch just to the right of the OEM Square D panel in Double
Trouble and on the left he installed a Blue Sea 12vdc fuse panel.
Shortly before Jim did this I had lifted the shelf under the sink and installed a Progressive Dynamics PD9260 mounted to the top of
the wheel well. I had to cut out the foam padding to give it enough clearance for air flow.
A bit later I decided I wanted to be able to flush out the black tank without having to drag a hose through the door or window so
put a "T", ball valve, and QD in the water supply line that comes in from the supply connector located in the upper left hand corner
of the electrical cable box on the drivers side.
So basically I've put a hell of a lot more electrical equipment under the sink area in Double Trouble. I figgered that if the people
that designed the Avion thought it was OK I'd follow there example.
By the way these modifications have worked perfectly for six years.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
Mike Sauer
Toledo, OR
1975 26' Avion
1-ton front end, SullyBilt AirBag System, 3.21 tranny
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