Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v (I purchased a new deep cycle house battery a month ago)
| new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213859] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 06:35  |
paulb
Messages: 24
Registered: June 2013
Location: Lansdale PA
Karma: 1
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Junior Member |
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Hello, last month I purchased an expensive 12v deep cycle battery with 180 AH capability. Its huge, 21" long and just fits snuggly in the battery compartment. I took a trip out to Wisconsin in June, no problems.
Yesterday I was working on the coach interior all day, but at around 8pm I went out locate a tool and no interior lights or any apparent power at all, EVEN AS I was plugged into shore power. I got my multimeter out and disconnected the house battery, and attached the meter. Read 0.2v ! What the heck?
The reason I purchased a good battery is because I went thru two Sears deep cycle batteries in 3 years. I keep my coach plugged in to shore power by default to let the PD converter with Charge Wizard handle keeping the battery healthy long term. The last Sears battery also died like this even while plugged in all winter.
I am beginning to think something maybe wrong with my Progressive Dynamics PD 9145. Any ideas on how to check it out? Is it possible my new battery may be defective reading only 0.2 volts. I also am going to purchase a battery monitor now so I can see the charge level inside the coach. Thank you.
Paul Bauerlein
'75 ex-Glenbrook
Lansdale, PA
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| Re: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213871 is a reply to message #213867] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 08:52  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Reconnect the battery to the coach, and plug back into shore power. Check voltage at the storage battery, and see if charging voltage is actually present. Should be a quick check on your charger.
While storage battery is disconnected, connect to an independent battery charger and see if the battery will take a charge. Even new batteries fail.
Might also check your grounding connections. I had funny battery problems until I discovered a grounding problem. Fixed grounding and problem went away.
Eletric problems are always fun to chase down.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213872 is a reply to message #213859] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 09:03 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| paulb wrote on Wed, 10 July 2013 07:35 |
Hello, last month I purchased an expensive 12v deep cycle battery with 180 AH capability. Its huge, 21" long and just fits snuggly in the battery compartment. I took a trip out to Wisconsin in June, no problems.
Yesterday I was working on the coach interior all day, but at around 8pm I went out locate a tool and no interior lights or any apparent power at all, EVEN AS I was plugged into shore power. I got my multimeter out and disconnected the house battery, and attached the meter. Read 0.2v ! What the heck?
The reason I purchased a good battery is because I went thru two Sears deep cycle batteries in 3 years. I keep my coach plugged in to shore power by default to let the PD converter with Charge Wizard handle keeping the battery healthy long term. The last Sears battery also died like this even while plugged in all winter.
I am beginning to think something maybe wrong with my Progressive Dynamics PD 9145. Any ideas on how to check it out? Is it possible my new battery may be defective reading only 0.2 volts. I also am going to purchase a battery monitor now so I can see the charge level inside the coach. Thank you.
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Paul,
Welcome to the group/family/cult/asylum...
I would have to guess that either the PD is not actually connected to you house 4D or that the new PD is dead (not real likely but possible).
Quick question...
Did you get the lights back when you disconnected the house battery?
If YES, then the PD is working, something else is wrong.
If NO, work your way down the page.
At this point, you don't need an ammeter though they are useful when systems are functioning. You have have a meter handy and can use it. So, lets put it on the output terminals of the PD. If you are on shore power then you should be seeing 13.2~14.4. If you do not, pop the breaker it is on and reset it.
Output now?
Yes? Wait a day. The PD shutdown on over current and will try to recover the housebank, but despite what you might think the number say, it will not take 5 hours, more like 12~15 because you are working with a battery so dead that it will not even accept enough current to start to charge for several hours and then the flip side of the Peukert exponent will be in the way. The PD may have shut down on over temperature or current. They are not supposed to and you should call PD support.
No? Use that same meter to confirm that there is line power to the PD.
- No - Now you know where the problem is, all you have to do is fix it.
- Yes - If you have line power in and no output, check the fuses. If the fuses blew, then there was a problem that the PD internal protections could not handle. I also have a 9145 and had the prior 4D go dead, but it still did not take out the fuses. You could try replacing the fuses, but that may not be the problem, just a symptom.
Be very gentle with your house battery. It will not like being discharged that far. It will probably recover if you are careful.
All I can do now is wish you good luck. If you should come up with some results you don't understand, come back here and someone will be here to guide you.
That is why a GMC is not just another toy. It attaches you to a community that is like very few others. As I am a waterman, I liken it to the relation we have with our boats. That is why I like to welcome new owners in a manner as we would. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome Paul
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: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213876 is a reply to message #213859] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 09:20 |
C Boyd
Messages: 2629
Registered: April 2006
Karma: 18
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Senior Member |
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Welcome Sir: It would help if we knew the year and model of your coach as the GMC outfitted models were wired different then non GMC fitted coaches (transmodes). My 76 Crestmont has a switch that switches the coach from Gen to Shore, also has a switch to turn off house battery and run on converter only. I always check all coach switches from CB, heater, radio, breaker box, porch light, water pump, etc when the grand kids have been here. A bad isolater (blue thingie on firewall with 3 wires on it) can cause strange stuff to happen. A bad isolater can take out an alternator. A VOM is a good friend. At Bean Station Ken Burton found a coach with a bunch of head scratchin electrical issues. He found a battery cable laying against the frame out of site that had rubbed the insulation off. It also would be helpful if we knew where you are located. There is a chance there is another GMCer close enough to you to stop by and bum a cup of coffee and share knowledge.
| paulb wrote on Wed, 10 July 2013 07:35 |
Hello, last month I purchased an expensive 12v deep cycle battery with 180 AH capability. Its huge, 21" long and just fits snuggly in the battery compartment. I took a trip out to Wisconsin in June, no problems.
Yesterday I was working on the coach interior all day, but at around 8pm I went out locate a tool and no interior lights or any apparent power at all, EVEN AS I was plugged into shore power. I got my multimeter out and disconnected the house battery, and attached the meter. Read 0.2v ! What the heck?
The reason I purchased a good battery is because I went thru two Sears deep cycle batteries in 3 years. I keep my coach plugged in to shore power by default to let the PD converter with Charge Wizard handle keeping the battery healthy long term. The last Sears battery also died like this even while plugged in all winter.
I am beginning to think something maybe wrong with my Progressive Dynamics PD 9145. Any ideas on how to check it out? Is it possible my new battery may be defective reading only 0.2 volts. I also am going to purchase a battery monitor now so I can see the charge level inside the coach. Thank you.
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C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
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| Re: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213888 is a reply to message #213876] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 10:21 |
paulb
Messages: 24
Registered: June 2013
Location: Lansdale PA
Karma: 1
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Junior Member |
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Thanks for the replies. I have the battery disconected right now, hooked up to a Napa charger with the deep cycle switch on. Its taking a charge, the PD converter is green steady . . . it is slowly working its way up to 100% - charger is set on 2A - I will wait until it is fully charged and perform Matts' diagnostics. Yes I know its not good if it goes down so far, but it seemed to happen suddenly, plus I had the coach plugged into shore all day so, theres probably some kind of problem perhaps with a ground issue.
Paul Bauerlein
'75 ex-Glenbrook
Lansdale, PA
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| Re: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213903 is a reply to message #213899] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 10:59 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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| paulb wrote on Wed, 10 July 2013 10:47 |
I am such an IDIOT. I was just checking my grounding on the PD and I discovered the damn thing was not plugged into the 115v ac outlet in the electrical compartment. I must have unplugged it at some point and didn't remember. This means it was not plugged in all this past year. 30 lashings for me on this.
Matt you are right 'Welcome to the group/family/cult/asylum...' well I think I qualify for asylum in this case.
I am doing an extended road trip from PA to Greensboro NC, on to Oklahoma city, then Albuquerque and Tuscon, Vegas, Utah, Colorado and my brothers wedding on Aug 24 in Oshkosh Wisconsin. Leaving in two weeks, back on Aug 26. I look forward to stayinging touch with the group! Thank you all 
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Paul, I would not have reported such a blunder on my part. You should have made up something then thanked Matt for fixing it with his advice. 
Dan
Who never tells stuff like that
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213928 is a reply to message #213859] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 14:30 |
chasingsummer
Messages: 434
Registered: May 2011
Location: asheboro, nc
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Paul
hats off to you for admitting something that it appears many here would not have.
That does not mean we would not have been there, done that. We just dont admit it.
I work in greensboro area, live slightly south. I know there are a couple of us in this area. Will there be any lay over in this area?
brian
asheboro, nc
75 eleganza, 74 build
119k miles and counting,
DOG HOUSE
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| Re: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #213968 is a reply to message #213928] |
Wed, 10 July 2013 20:19 |
paulb
Messages: 24
Registered: June 2013
Location: Lansdale PA
Karma: 1
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Junior Member |
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Brian - actually I will be staying in Crumpler NC for three days before I head to Albuquerque. Its NNW of Greensboro about 60 miles. I'll check with my buddy down there, he mentioned maybe doing an overnight locally so we'll see what develops once I get there.
Paul Bauerlein
'75 ex-Glenbrook
Lansdale, PA
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| Re: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #214032 is a reply to message #213899] |
Thu, 11 July 2013 09:51 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| paulb wrote on Wed, 10 July 2013 11:47 |
I am such an IDIOT. I was just checking my grounding on the PD and I discovered the damn thing was not plugged into the 115v ac outlet in the electrical compartment. I must have unplugged it at some point and didn't remember. This means it was not plugged in all this past year. 30 lashings for me on this.
Matt you are right 'Welcome to the group/family/cult/asylum...' well I think I qualify for asylum in this case.
I am doing an extended road trip from PA to Greensboro NC, on to Oklahoma city, then Albuquerque and Tuscon, Vegas, Utah, Colorado and my brothers wedding on Aug 24 in Oshkosh Wisconsin. Leaving in two weeks, back on Aug 26. I look forward to stayinging touch with the group! Thank you all
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Paul,
We have all made mistakes of this ilk along the way. This is why it is particularly important to start the diagnosis early and do it completely.
You think this is good, you have to get to a rally soon. I recommend that Branson Rally this fall.
Should we have a stupid mistakes tech session at one of the rallies?
Matt - who has not done anything stupid - today - on the GMC
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: new house battery suddenly dies - 0.2v [message #214063 is a reply to message #213859] |
Thu, 11 July 2013 16:29 |
Tilerpep
Messages: 404
Registered: June 2013
Location: Raleigh, NC
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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I will benefit from the test procedures laid out here! I purchased my coach a few weeks ago and continue to track issues. I have a new isolator, and a new PD 9145 as of yesterday. Still will be good to go through those functionality checks in a systematic way.
1975 Glenbrook, 1978 Royale rear bath
Raleigh, NC
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