twistedsistersr
Sep 29, 2014Explorer
chasis battery not charging; house battery cooked
1987 Holiday Rambler Class C - not in working condition when we got it. This was the first trip more than 30 minutes away - long enough for things to heat up.
Starting point: New convertor with charge wizzard, existing isolator, new house battery and new chasis batteries.
Was connected to shore power for 4 days prior to shoving off (with fridge on in elec mode)
We set sail and about 2 hours into the 3.5 hour trip smelt a sulfur smell. Thought it was an exhasust problem. When we arrived at the campground, the house battery had boiled over and the chasis battery was completely dead. Matter of fact - the last 15 miles the RV choked off at every stoplight and we had to jump it every time.
Once at camp... disconnected the house battery - filled it up and re-connected. Connected to shore power for 24 hours. House battery was at 12.4 v but chasis only at 9v.
Day 3 - time to leave - chasis battery at 10v, house at 12.4. Made it from the campsite to the office to check out - choked out and would not start. Now stranded on a Sunday we went to the store and got a new chasis and house battery - installed both. Both started at 12.4v ish. Hit the road. Smelt same smell at 1.5 hour or so and pulled over and let everything cool off for 45 min. Engine then started right up - another 1 hour and we were home. Once home, went to check voltages - to my suprise - the new house battery had overcharged and had leaked!
Any idea what could be causing this? Bad altenator? Bad Isloator? Connections wrong on isolator?
I identified the convertor connections and they are plugged into the house battery properly. When on shore power - it is charging just fine. When we hit the road - something is over charging it. Have no idea how old the altenator is - could be original.
Any suggestions on what to test or replace next?
Starting point: New convertor with charge wizzard, existing isolator, new house battery and new chasis batteries.
Was connected to shore power for 4 days prior to shoving off (with fridge on in elec mode)
We set sail and about 2 hours into the 3.5 hour trip smelt a sulfur smell. Thought it was an exhasust problem. When we arrived at the campground, the house battery had boiled over and the chasis battery was completely dead. Matter of fact - the last 15 miles the RV choked off at every stoplight and we had to jump it every time.
Once at camp... disconnected the house battery - filled it up and re-connected. Connected to shore power for 24 hours. House battery was at 12.4 v but chasis only at 9v.
Day 3 - time to leave - chasis battery at 10v, house at 12.4. Made it from the campsite to the office to check out - choked out and would not start. Now stranded on a Sunday we went to the store and got a new chasis and house battery - installed both. Both started at 12.4v ish. Hit the road. Smelt same smell at 1.5 hour or so and pulled over and let everything cool off for 45 min. Engine then started right up - another 1 hour and we were home. Once home, went to check voltages - to my suprise - the new house battery had overcharged and had leaked!
Any idea what could be causing this? Bad altenator? Bad Isloator? Connections wrong on isolator?
I identified the convertor connections and they are plugged into the house battery properly. When on shore power - it is charging just fine. When we hit the road - something is over charging it. Have no idea how old the altenator is - could be original.
Any suggestions on what to test or replace next?