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Re: Electrical gremlins, charging set up, and questions [message #310080 is a reply to message #309952] Tue, 08 November 2016 09:37 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma:
Senior Member
I like to think I'm reasonably astute on Things Electric, so when I got the new to me 26' coach home, step one was removing everything I didn't want/need in it. Which included a tall dash addendum, and its contents of an alarm clock, indoor outdoor thermometer, audio switches, Ignition and chassis 12 volt terminal strips, a non-functional TPM, and some other stuff I don't remember. Then I removed the glove box and the knee cover under the steering wheel which contained 9 add-on switches. The radio/nav system was removed to make room to trace things. The coach fits an external amp, sub, and speakers with the components under the couch. Wires to these were identified, shortened as required, and labelled. All one - ended wires were traced back and removed or labelled as required. The switches were traced and labelled, including trans cooler, oil cooler, cruise power, amp power, sub power, sub panel lights, and a couple of others. Everything was laced up, reconnected, and tested. As a result, I have a cardboard box a foot cube stuffed with wire and connectors. I've still a bit to go, but reassembly and testing shows it all works. The coach has a second set of gauges on the knee panel because the PO felt the Mac dash gauges weren't the most accurate. I've a DigiPanel to install which should allow me to remove several of them.

The point of all this is, when you get a 'hack job', step one is to return it to ground zero. Take out everything which didn't grow in the coach originally, and rewire it to 'book' spec. Take out ALL the extraneous wires. Make it what it was when GM shipped it, including repairing or replacing any wires/connectors/components which aren't working. This took me a week and I knew what I was looking for, it may take you longer. Once you get your coach wiring back to original, there are only two replacements you really should do. Replace the 12 volt fuse panel with a modern replacement. Replace the 12 volt supply - often called a buzz box - with a more modern 12 volt supply, preferably one with a 'smart' charger for your house batteries. There are several available.

Now, look at the additional stuff which has grown in the coach that you like. Re-install each, and power it properly from the DC panel using new wires which are labelled at each end. You can get a P-Touch labeller for about ten dollars if you don't already have one.

The end result of this will be a safer coach with reliable electrics.

As to batteries, my 23' coach has one deep cycle house battery. Since I very seldom dry camp, this is entirely sufficient for my needs. Since it's a Norris upfit, the batteries are both in front, there's a heavy cable to the genset for cranking power. The coach has a solar array with a smart charger for the house batteries. It also has a battery disconnect switch in the panel cabinet to disconnect the House battery from the system. As long as this is used when it's running or powered from shore, there's no need to drop the buzz box. I did so because I needed it elsewhere (it's a great high current 12 volt bench supply) and I had a 60 Amp supply from one of the suppliers. This system works well, with limited dry camping capacity.
My 26' came with a pair of deep cycle batteries in the rear compartment behind the Onan and a new 12 Volt supply with smart charger for them. I've left it alone. It's overkill for my uses but it works well. When the batteries age out, I'll probably replace with a single deep cycle. I've a source of giant diesel genset batteries, one of which will fill the space now occupied by the two. They're free and two years old, I've used them often in other services.

The thrust of all this is, get things back to the working stock beginning, discard the dreck, and then refit whatever options you want correctly.

--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

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