Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Number of Batteries
| Number of Batteries [message #75303] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 19:07  |
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Bob M
Messages: 100
Registered: August 2005
Location: Carlisle, PA
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I never questioned how many 12 volt batteries I should have gotten with my coach when I bought it. There is presently only one marine type battery used to power the coach accessories. My coach is a 1977 Eleganza II powered by a 455 engine. I have seen pictures recently that show two batteries in the compartment next to the Onan. What is the correct number and configuration?
Bob Moss
77 Eleganza II
Bob Moss
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| Re: Number of Batteries [message #75308 is a reply to message #75303] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 19:56  |
Craig Lechowicz
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
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Bob,
The original setup was one 12 v. battery by the Onan for coach and Onan starting power, and a 12 v. battery at the front for chassis (Olds engine and accessory power). Most people that have 2 batteries by the Onan use 2 6v. deep cycle golf cart batteries in series to get more battery capacity for dry camping and such. There are some that use 2 12v. in parallel, by the Onan, for the additional capacity, but parallel wiring of batteries isn't a great idea.
Then, there are some people that utilize larger front battery trays by Ragusa or others to cram even more batteries in.
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
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| Re: Number of Batteries [message #75309 is a reply to message #75303] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 19:59 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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Many RVs come with only one 12 volt house battery (back in the generator compartment), but most have found that two 6 volt deep cycle golf cart batteries have much more capacity than the single 12 volt one. They seem to fit like a glove next to the generator. A variety of vendors even sell nice slide out trays to make it easier to add water to the batteries and service them. JimK @ Applied GMC has them shown on his website.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Number of Batteries [message #75316 is a reply to message #75303] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 20:17 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Bob,
I have one 12v battery for the motor, up front, and one multi-purpose battery next to my Onan for the house. This big ugly multi-purpose battery only lasts me one night. I intend to move it up front to power the radio and maybe a small inverter for a TV and a few 12v outlets. I'll grab 2 deep cycle 6v batteries for the space behind the Onan from Costco if I ever feel like spending the few bucks for them.
Oh - before I do ANYTHING I'll have to put the double pulley on my alternator. Tom Hampton replaced my alternator with a nice new 100 amp beauty when I had the coach in Ohio. After the first night's sleep, my alternator belt sqeeled like a stuck pig on first start-up (trying to charge the house battery). When we got home I took the coach to Jim K's place (for other things) and asked Nick to adjust the belt. Well, only a few weeks later she's squeeling again. The belt isn't tight, but it isn't loose either. I think the alternator is more than one belt can handle, so I'm going to the bone yard, or wherever to find the double pulley and buy a matched set of Dayco 15770's.
The set-up we currently have is probably the "correct number and configuration" however I want more. Like Johnny Rocco (Edward G.Robinson) in Key Largo - I want MORE!
When Tom was replacing the battery we had a conversation. I wasn't sure if we would be "dry camping" at all, so we put in the single 12v battery. By golly we spend more nights parked unplugged than we do plugged. I've only had the coach since October, so we have used our furnace and the toe-kick lights every night. By the time we wake up I can't crank the Onan to make coffee without starting the 455. Well, I've already said how noisy that is!
There are so many different configurations. 3 batteries under the hood and 2 in the back is as much as I've heard of, and probably with solar panels on the roof too. I'll be happy with 2 deep cycle batteries for the house, one for the engine, and I might as well use that other one for the radio and TV.
Long winded, me?
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Moss" <fums6@aol.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Monday, March 1, 2010 5:07:40 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: [GMCnet] Number of Batteries
I never questioned how many 12 volt batteries I should have gotten with my coach when I bought it. There is presently only one marine type battery used to power the coach accessories. My coach is a 1977 Eleganza II powered by a 455 engine. I have seen pictures recently that show two batteries in the compartment next to the Onan. What is the correct number and configuration?
Bob Moss
77 Eleganza II
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Bob Moss
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Number of Batteries [message #75324 is a reply to message #75303] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 20:36 |
zhagrieb
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
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Bob. The coach should have 2 twelve volt power sources. The engine will
have an automotive 12V battery "under the hood". This powers the engine and
all normal automotive accessories like the headlights, radio, heater, etc.
There will be one or two more batteries, normally next to the Onan, for the
coach 12V stuff. Lights, refrig, furnace, water pump, etc. Some folks put
2 twelve volt batteries wired in parallel for more amps. Others will use 2
six volt golf cart batteries wired in series to get 12 volts also at high
amps. Some coaches have the coach batteries in the front next to the engine
battery.
Glenn Giere
On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 5:07 PM, Bob Moss <fums6@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> I never questioned how many 12 volt batteries I should have gotten with my
> coach when I bought it. There is presently only one marine type battery used
> to power the coach accessories. My coach is a 1977 Eleganza II powered by a
> 455 engine. I have seen pictures recently that show two batteries in the
> compartment next to the Onan. What is the correct number and configuration?
> Bob Moss
> 77 Eleganza II
> --
> Bob Moss
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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| Re: Number of Batteries [message #75333 is a reply to message #75303] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 21:36 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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| Bob M wrote on Mon, 01 March 2010 17:07 |
... My coach is a 1977 Eleganza II powered by a 455 engine. I have seen pictures recently that show two batteries in the compartment next to the Onan. What is the correct number and configuration?
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Stock configuration would depend on the year and model. (Originally all batteries where 12v automotive type batteries.)
1973 and 1974 came from the factory with the chassis and house batteries up front and a smaller generator starting battery in the rear. In The 26 foot, it was in the generator compartment, to the rear of the Onan. The 23 foot had the gen-set battery was in a separate compartment, accessed from inside, just forward of the Onan.
The gen-set batteries where "always" going bad, as they where being charged only when the gen-set was running. So about 1975 they changed it and got rid of a separate gen-set starting battery.
1975 thru 1978 GM upfitted coaches moved the house battery to the rear and used it to start the gen-set. It was charged through the converter so the voltage regulator on the Onan was not used... but was still there!
1975 was also the 1st year of the transmode. Companies other than GM installed the interiors. (All 1975 and newer 23' coaches where transmodes.) The battery configuration could be about anything... even with the same model! (Some of the configurations did not make electrical sense.)
My 1978 23' Birchaven (by Coachman), in stock configuration, has both of the two 12v batteries up front. The house battery is used to start the Onan. BUT the same year Royale (26 foot also by Coachman) has the same two batteries up front. It also has a 12v battery next to the Onan wired parallel to the front house battery. --- this isn't good on batteries. I think they expected you to replace the batteries each year.
Anyway ---
Now after 30 some odd years, you can find many configurations... some work, some do not.
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: [GMCnet] Number of Batteries [message #75337 is a reply to message #75333] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 22:00 |
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Glen and Mike,
You both read the original post and gave great answers. You don't know how
much I appreciate that -- you answered the question asked. I guess you both
receive the Weekly Reader Award.
Now, having said that, guess what's on my 78 Royale.
I have two batteries on the passenger side up front. They are auto
batteries. One, apparently, is the "reserve" and used with the boost switch
is on. The other seems to function as the main battery and is used,
primarily, to power the auto 12-volt system. When it goes down, I can switch
on the boost and still start the coach.
The third batter is on the driver side up front. It is a deep-cycle,
marine-type battery. It is a 12-volt battery. It powers the house 12-volt
system and, I think, is used to start the Onan in the rear.
Back in that hole where GMC put a battery is all the cable for the 120-volt
land line.
So, the fact is, there is no easy answer. It's like a computer consultant's
answer to a question: "It depends."
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: Number of Batteries [message #75347 is a reply to message #75303] |
Mon, 01 March 2010 23:04 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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The answer to your question varies by the year of the persons coach. A 1977 GM fitted 26' coach should have one up front for the engine and one or two in the rear near the ONAN for the house system and for starting the ONAN. I prefer to have two 6 volt batteries back there but one 12 volt deep cycle battery will also work with much less capacity for the house systems.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Number of Batteries [message #75378 is a reply to message #75303] |
Tue, 02 March 2010 11:37 |
Jim Galbavy
Messages: 1443
Registered: August 2007
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Bob,
As you have read on the many answers to your question, there are many configurations, locations and numbers batteries in the GMC motorhomes from the factory when new and redone during the last 35 years. I have a fairly stock battery set up in my '73 X-CL with and engine and deep cycle marine house batteries in pass. front and an duplicate to the engine battery for the generator (a HONDA EV6010). I was advised to get the duplicate battery for the generator by the owner of a automotive electric shop when my engine battery took a dump on a trip to Florida. His idea was if any of the batteries do go bad, I can switch out the bad one and keep going until I can get a replacement at a good price.
He (and JimB) also advised to buy a new battery as a gift to yourself at each year at Christmas.
jim galbavy
'73 X-CL (ANNIE)
Chesterfield, Va
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