| Solenoid in the house Battery Compartment [message #268666] |
Thu, 01 January 2015 22:29  |
FirstOf5
Messages: 4
Registered: September 2014
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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I have a 26' 1976 Kingsley.
In the house battery compartment by the generator there is a
- 60 amp breaker
- Solenoid
The previous owner screwed up the wiring between the solenoid and breaker so I'm trying to figure that out.
I know that the Solenoid is part of the Battery Boost to forcibly connect the house battery to the starting battery with the switch on the dash.
It would seem like the breaker would connect the two batteries if the solenoid up front was enabled with the switch and therefore the solenoid in the back is needless.
Is the second solenoid in the house battery compartment there in case the breaker fails? Like a failsafe.
If this is the case, should the solenoid in the back be wired like the one in the front is with the isolator? Another way to ask it would be. Since both Breaker and Solenoid have a left and a right connection, the wiring would be something like...
left <-> left <-> house positive.
starter positive <-> right <-> right.
Let me know if my question needs more work.
Thanks,
Casey
26' 1976 Kingsley
Downers Grove, IL
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| Re: Solenoid in the house Battery Compartment [message #268672 is a reply to message #268666] |
Thu, 01 January 2015 23:55  |
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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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FirstOf5 wrote on Thu, 01 January 2015 23:29I have a 26' 1976 Kingsley.
In the house battery compartment by the generator there is a
- 60 amp breaker
- Solenoid
The previous owner screwed up the wiring between the solenoid and breaker so I'm trying to figure that out.
I know that the Solenoid is part of the Battery Boost to forcibly connect the house battery to the starting battery with the switch on the dash.
It would seem like the breaker would connect the two batteries if the solenoid up front was enabled with the switch and therefore the solenoid in the back is needless.
Is the second solenoid in the house battery compartment there in case the breaker fails? Like a failsafe.
If this is the case, should the solenoid in the back be wired like the one in the front is with the isolator? Another way to ask it would be. Since both Breaker and Solenoid have a left and a right connection, the wiring would be something like...
left <-> left <-> house positive.
starter positive <-> right <-> right.
Let me know if my question needs more work.
Thanks,
Casey
26' 1976 Kingsley
Downers Grove, IL
Casey,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.....
Three things....
First, go to http://www.bdub.net/wirediagrams/75-engine-HEI.pdf and download and study the diagram of how it is supposed to work.
Next, you can call (see your GMC Assist (aka Black) list) Ken Burton if you get really stuck. He lives in northern Indiana and there are not many that know GMC electrics better than he. If you can't figure out what happened and he can't talk you through it, he is in striking range. (See Below)
I do not have the same system, but as I recall, the contactor (aka solenoid) is supposed to be a by-pass for the circuit breaker so the boost will not be limited by the breaker.
Finally, you are new here. (Correct?)
You are now a member of a community like very few others. We love helping each other. It is so much like the community of watermen that has been my life, the I try to always take the opportunity to welcome new owners that come here much as a new owner or vessel would be welcomed there. So,
May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.
Welcome Casey,
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: [GMCnet] Solenoid in the house Battery Compartment [message #268677 is a reply to message #268675] |
Fri, 02 January 2015 01:47 |
FirstOf5
Messages: 4
Registered: September 2014
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Emery Stora wrote on Fri, 02 January 2015 00:10The front solenoid connects both battery banks together when the boost switch is pressed. The rear solenoid is wired across the circuit breaker in the rear. When the boost switch is pressed it shorts across the breaker thus allowing more current to flow than the breaker would allow. This is because the engine starter might draw more than the breaker. If it wasn't there the breaker might trip when you wanted to use the boost to start the engine.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, COZ
Matt and Emery ,
thanks for confirming what I thought. I'd read the wire diagrams and nothing really documents the purpose of why they would have circumvented the breaker like you did. It makes sense I've not seen a system like this one before. My circuit breaker and solenoid are original so I'll replace them and wire them correctly. The PO worked around both the solenoid and the breaker.
Thanks for helping me out.
Matt,
thanks for the welcome and the info.
Casey
[Updated on: Fri, 02 January 2015 01:50] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Solenoid in the house Battery Compartment [message #268678 is a reply to message #268677] |
Fri, 02 January 2015 02:21 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Matt and Emery are entirely correct. Just an additional comment. The circuit breaker is there to prevent a direct short on the cable or rear battery from taking out the charging system or causing a fire. You definitely want the CB in the circuit. Also the solenoid is there as Emery said to allow addition current to flow only when the boost switch is pressed.
If you get in a bind figuring it out, give me a telephone call. I'll take a day trip that way to help you. You are only about 65 miles up the road from me. My unlisted home number is on the Black list.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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