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[GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283460] Wed, 29 July 2015 13:17 Go to next message
glwgmc is currently offline  glwgmc   United States
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Peer,

It has been years since I looked at an old buzz box but I don’t remember ever seeing one with a fused distribution panel inside. The ones I remember just had a battery + and - and a ground on the DC side and a standard AC plug for input. The purpose was to both supply 12vdc power to the house (the converter function) and to charge the batteries. Your photo appears to show some kind of a different box that does have a fused distribution panel inside and another fused distribution panel beside it. It could be some other type of converter/battery charger or simply one that I have never seen before. Take it out all together on both the AC and DC sides.

To install the Inteli-power unit I suggest you simply run a wire (sized for the amp output of that Inteli-power unit) directly to the + and - side of the battery. That will take care of the battery charging function. Then run an 8 gage wire from the battery + and another from the battery - to your house fused distribution panel (where ever it is located). That will take care of the converter function.

You will need to chase down where the wires come from and go to in the units in your photos. The yellow wire probably is a ground wire. The black wire looks like it could be coming from a battery + source (wrong color for that) and powering the fused distribution panel but it appears to be on the wrong side to do that. From the pic I can’t tell what the red wire is supposed to do. That said, don’t guess at the function of these wires or the box pictured or the fused distribution panel beside that box. Trace all those wires so you are sure of function before using them or plugging in the Inteli-power unit.

Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR

glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
===============
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:17:34 -0400
From: Peer Oliver Schmidt
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only
two connectors at Inteli-power
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

I knew I should have posted a pic to explain what I meant :)

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58797-buzz-box.html

There is a black, a red and a yellow cable leaving the buzz box on the
12v afaict.

The yellow is probably ground.

The black is connected to BAT

The red is connected to a fuse box next to the buzz box.

My Inteli-Power has plus and minus only on the 12v side.

--
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Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283461 is a reply to message #283460] Wed, 29 July 2015 13:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
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And added another one, which shows the labeling. Seems to be a 1982 unit.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58806-buzz-box-labels.html

--
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Peer Oliver Schmidt
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Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283462 is a reply to message #283460] Wed, 29 July 2015 13:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
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Thanks Jerry.

I took another picture to better show the overall aspect.

Interesting that I have a special buzz box :)

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58804-buzz-box-better-photo.html

Maybe someone else has seen a similar buzz box.

--
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Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA


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Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283465 is a reply to message #283462] Wed, 29 July 2015 13:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C Boyd is currently offline  C Boyd   United States
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Yes sir mine was similar. I had to replace with a larger 12V fuse box. It is on the lower right enclosed box.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/crestmont/p35378-new-converter.html



Peer Oliver Schmidt wrote on Wed, 29 July 2015 14:23
Thanks Jerry.

I took another picture to better show the overall aspect.

Interesting that I have a special buzz box Smile

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58804-buzz-box-better-photo.html

Maybe someone else has seen a similar buzz box.

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA


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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283466 is a reply to message #283465] Wed, 29 July 2015 14:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
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I wonder how important the relay switch is, that is put so prominently
on the label:

"This converter is equipped with an automatic relay, which changes from
DC battery power to DC converter power when connected to 120 Volt AC"

Will removing this functionality cause issues?

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58806-buzz-box-labels.html

--
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Peer Oliver Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA

'76a Eleganza II, VA


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Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283467 is a reply to message #283460] Wed, 29 July 2015 14:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
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From your 3 pictures, and what I can make out of the label, it appears the:
- Black wire goes to your battery Positive (+)
- Red wire is going to your external fuse panel
- Yellow wire is case ground so I'm guessing it is DC ground negative (-)

I can make out from the label that there is a relay that disconnects the battery from the fuse panel when the converter is plugged in. This converter must have some battery charging "smarts" as they want the battery to be "unloaded" while charging so the charger can read the battery voltage and current while charging. It is not the standard GMC "buzz box"

When you unplug your converter, the relay connects the battery to the fuse panel to supply power.

Just what I can see from your photos and read from the labels. If I was there, I would be using my Volt-Ohm meter to confirm that.


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283476 is a reply to message #283460] Wed, 29 July 2015 16:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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My Norris upfit 23 is identical to Chuck Boyd's, even to the color of the Dymo labels. It has a Tripp-Lite fitted which I believe to be original. Fuse panel is behind a door on the end of the supply. It also looks to have a ferro-resonent transformer to regulate the voltage. (Often referred to as a
Sola Constant Volt),

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283498 is a reply to message #283466] Wed, 29 July 2015 23:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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I had the same converter as you do, Peer. Incredibly heavy, probably cost a mile per gallon in the city and when going uphill. Mine blew the precision ceramic resistor inside when the battery was drawing too much current. If you don't use the converter, please don't recycle it without letting me buy that resistor from you (if it still works). The whole unit is too heavy to ship, but I will gladly pay for shipping that resistor down here to Smithfield, Va. Are you in Virginia now? Thought about going to the GM show that Jared is going to in Maryland? Been thinking about that myself...wonder if my GMC will make it Laughing

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283499 is a reply to message #283498] Wed, 29 July 2015 23:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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Would really like to help you hook up your new setup in person, any chance of you touring this area? Wife kinda balked at going to Maryland...but I still want to go.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283504 is a reply to message #283461] Thu, 30 July 2015 00:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
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Peer Oliver Schmidt wrote on Wed, 29 July 2015 11:29
And added another one, which shows the labeling. Seems to be a 1982 unit.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58806-buzz-box-labels.html

--
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Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
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From what I can see on the cover the unit you have switches from the coach battery power to rectified converter power by way of a relay when 120 volt ac is supplied to the unit. This was pretty common back in the early 70's. They isolated the battery and just powered the 12 volts from the converter . This is not a good way to power the coach as it is not a pure d c supply it will play havoc on your 12 volt electronics. You will need to take the thing out physically identity the negative wire and the wire that goes to your battery then you will need to remove the fuse board and connect the common hot side to the hot battery wire or wire in a new fuse panel . Your new converter wasn't ment to be isolated from the battery when it is energized and you wouldn't want it to be.


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283505 is a reply to message #283504] Thu, 30 July 2015 00:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
roy1 is currently offline  roy1   United States
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roy1 wrote on Wed, 29 July 2015 22:23
Peer Oliver Schmidt wrote on Wed, 29 July 2015 11:29
And added another one, which shows the labeling. Seems to be a 1982 unit.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58806-buzz-box-labels.html

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA


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From what I can see on the cover the unit you have switches from the coach battery power to rectified converter power by way of a relay when 120 volt ac is supplied to the unit. This was pretty common back in the early 70's. They isolated the battery and just powered the 12 volts from the converter . This is not a good way to power the coach as it is not a pure d c supply it will play havoc on your 12 volt electronics. You will need to take the thing out physically identity the negative wire and the wire that goes to your battery then you will need to remove the fuse board and connect the common hot side to the hot battery wire or wire in a new fuse panel . Your new converter wasn't ment to be isolated from the battery when it is energized and you wouldn't want it to be.

On second thought you don't need any of those fuses . The red and black wire will Tie together. The yellow is likely connected to negative did you measure the voltage from the black to the yellow to confirm it is the negative?


Roy Keen Minden,NV 76 X Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283514 is a reply to message #283499] Thu, 30 July 2015 06:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
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Terry,

> Would really like to help you hook up your new setup in person, any
> chance of you touring this area? Wife kinda balked at going to
> Maryland...but I still want to go.

thank you very much for your offer. Unfortunately, my GMC is currently
without registration, and the lady from the DMV only wants to register
it, when I have a title in my hands, which the seller lost. I do have
the registration card, which according to the DMV website should be
sufficient for out-of-state vehicles, but still no go. Contacted the
seller, to see if they can get a replacement title to me. Until then, no
driving around.

Whatever kind of resistor you need, I'll gladly take out of the box. The
box has been working okayish, but I assume the install itself wasn't
done properly, because I get flickering lights whenever the water pump
starts. I assume, as Jerry has hinted, the cables aren't up to the task.
--
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Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
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Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283525 is a reply to message #283462] Thu, 30 July 2015 08:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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OK, the LED (only recently upgraded) over my head just powered up.....

Peer,
You don't have that relay, the tag is wrong...
(The terminal is even missing from the panel.)

I fought with one of these that was mis-installed about an hundred years (give or take a decade) ago.

Please Notice that the diagram does not match the facts. There is supposed to be a separated terminal for the battery.
These units came from Tripplite or Consta-volt, and they had originally had two DC power supplies inside.
One was a very limited ferro-resonant contant voltage for the house systems.
The other was an un-smoothed (actually half-wave iirc) supply for charging the house bank.
At the time it was believed that the best power for charging flooded batteries was one with lots of ripple.

But this is a little bit later unit.
The ripple thing proved to be wrong and the silicon (as opposed to selenium) rectifiers became cost effective for the whole unit.
These units were all constant voltage, but it was high enough to charge the batteries was also high enough to ruin the batteries.

The next thing that is throwing some of us off is the color coding as it goes against convention.
I think it was Jerry, but someone above was correct.
Both the black and red are positive and should go to the positive on the new replacement.
The yellow is house ground and should go the new negative.

If I lost anybody, come back and I will try again.

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
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283548 is a reply to message #283461] Thu, 30 July 2015 14:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
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Peer Oliver Schmidt wrote on Wed, 29 July 2015 12:29
And added another one, which shows the labeling. Seems to be a 1982 unit.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58806-buzz-box-labels.html

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA


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That's the same one I had in my 78 before I installed the IOTA. It still worked and I sold it on Ebay for a good sum.


Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283553 is a reply to message #283525] Thu, 30 July 2015 16:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
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Matt,

thanks for taking the plunge and making a statement :D

I love it when people go ahead and take the stick in their hand and show
the way. I shall do what you propose and see what happens. I am positive
things will be okay. Also, I might go ahead, and replace the cables with
something a bit thicker.

Thank again everyone, you are one hell of a helpful bunch.

Terry,

send me an email with your address and what exactly you need from the box.

--
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Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA


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Best regards

Olly Schmidt
PGP Key ID: 0x18a9 3a1f 4196 bf22
'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283561 is a reply to message #283548] Thu, 30 July 2015 17:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
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Bob de Kruyff wrote on Thu, 30 July 2015 13:35
Peer Oliver Schmidt wrote on Wed, 29 July 2015 12:29
And added another one, which shows the labeling. Seems to be a 1982 unit.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/buzz-box-replacement/p58806-buzz-box-labels.html

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA


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That's the same one I had in my 78 before I installed the IOTA. It still worked and I sold it on Ebay for a good sum.

BTW mine had a relay in it. I could hear it click and could see the interior lights momentarily flicker whenever I connected or disconnected shore power. The unit powered the 12V side of the coach directly off the box


Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283625 is a reply to message #283498] Fri, 31 July 2015 18:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
werewilfs is currently offline  werewilfs   United States
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Hey Terry! We'd love to have you up at the MD show. Even if your GMC can't make it, please come by.

We're also down your way for our August rally the week after. PM me for more info!


Jared & Stefanie Kohl Rappahannock County, VA 1973 Painted Desert "Onslow"
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283629 is a reply to message #283625] Fri, 31 July 2015 19:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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Jared, I think that somehow I'm going to convince my wife to go with me or I may just go for it solo. Did all the driving to Bean Station anyway, and that's about twice as far. All I need now is lotsa luck and the location to get there.

Peer, thank you for the offer, and I will go out and get a picture of the part(s) I need and send it to you in a PM in a later tonight. Right now I need your good fortune with pumps! After putting the rear bed back together in our GMC, I decided to cool off in the pool. Then I discovered the pool pump binding and not pumping full volume. Took it apart to find that a mud dauber had invaded and got caught up in the seal, and trashed it out. So, somebody had to replace a pump today for $150.00 Shocked...I'm glad yours was just a fuse! Kinda coincidental, huh?


Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283634 is a reply to message #283629] Fri, 31 July 2015 21:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
werewilfs is currently offline  werewilfs   United States
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Terry,

Montgomery College, Lot 2, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, Maryland 20850
Aug 8th 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

These guys love us there. (Can you believe that last year was the first year they have ever had a GMC motorhome at the 40th annual All GM show? and they got 4 of them there!)

And there's not a more fun way to get publicity for our beasts than these car shows. I wouldn't want to do this every weekend but it's fun to do once a year.


Jared & Stefanie Kohl Rappahannock County, VA 1973 Painted Desert "Onslow"
Re: [GMCnet] Verification - Three cables from buzz box, only two connectors at Inteli-power [message #283638 is a reply to message #283634] Fri, 31 July 2015 23:41 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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I gonna try to make this trip if I have to drag the GMC up there with the neighbors mule. I'll disconnect him before I get to the college so no one is the wiser... Laughing Gonna test it tomorrow and see if it is still gonna run hot, something it started doing on the way back from Bean Station. And if Peer is going to be in Farmville after that, I would really like to go see him and help him with that new power converter/charger.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
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