Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 09:02:17 -0800
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Charging system questions.
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds20A1A978285B681264F5C6A0D10@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Thank you,
An update on this issue:
I tested and decided that my Aux batt was behaving poorly so I replaced
that battery with another, new one, identical to what I have been running
all along..GP 42 NAPA batteries. This new replacement battery turned out to
be defective, too. NAPA replaced that one, after a bit of head scratching
and some 'waffleing" by the NAPA store guy, who 'wanted' my problem to be MY
problem...some fault in the charging system or the wiring. Some careful
testing and diagnostics showed the new battery was not accepting a charge
properly....he gladly replaced that one, but he had to be convinced the new
one came from his distributor with a defect.
During this time, I also got a new voltage regulator, which brought my
charging rate, at the starter battery terminals up to 13.7v, and I kept the
other regulator as a spare.
Now I again have full electrical power storage...to run my Sat. radio in
the AM and to keep my electronic widgets charged. A 10 mile drive...about
15min charging time..seems to keep the aux battery up.
So be aware that like any other part...a battery can come from the store
with a problem sometimes...As Scott says, the first thing you should check
if you encounter a problem in your van is the last thing you just 'fixed' or
worked on...and all the stuff that is attached to that thing..
Don Hanson
On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 8:06 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:
> I don't know if this was answered yet so here goes.
>
> A battery with 10 volts at rest is either extremely discharged or a cell is
> shorted.
> With a shorted cell the system voltage will be sucked down as that battery
> will draw an excessive amount of current.
>
> 14.02 volts at the alternator is fine. Design is 13.8.
>
> Batteries used for deep cycle (even starting batteries) should occasionally
> be tested for performance. A battery with a shorted cell can also overheat
> and make quit an acid mess during a long drive.
>
> Group 41 batteries are larger and will still fit in the boxes under the
> seats.
>
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Don Hanson
> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 1:43 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Charging system questions.
>
> Hey all,
>
> I am having issues with my aux battery taking and holding a charge that is
> adequate for how I am using my van right now.
>
> My "set-up", which has been satisfactory for my needs for three years now,
> is as follows: I have a 60amp Bosch Alternator, replaced with a rebuild
> about 2yrs ago. At that time, I replaced one of my 2 identical NAPA Sure
> start 65 (#5042) BCI 42 batteries with a new one, installing the new one
> into the starting (vehicle) battery box under the passengers seat and
> taking
> the older one (about 3 yrs old, minimum) to the aux. battery position
> (under
> the driver's seat) I have the two batteries connected with a large RV
> cannister style relay, which is activated by current from the ignition
> switch, after the engine cranks and catches.
>
> So, with the engine off, all my electrical widgets are powered by the
> coach battery (the one under the drivers seat). The starter battery is kept
> out of the circuit by that relay... When the ignition is activated....that
> happens using only the starter battery..passenger's side...and then once
> the
> engine starts, I hear the relay click and the current goes to both
> batteries. I also have a toggle switch to control that relay, should I
> want
> to put the full alternator output back into the starting battery, only.
>
> So, a fairly simple system...one I have used with success for a few years
> and identical to other RV systems I've used in the past.
>
> Recently, my auxillary battery hasn't been up to my demands. I mainly
> use that to keep my laptop charged, to listen to some sirrius sat radio for
> a few hours in the AM and to power my water pump at the sink...Not a large
> constant draw.
>
> I am thinking my little BCI 42 battery is finally wearing out, but in
> order to learn something...I took some numbers and would appreciate some
> knowledgeable input on the numbers. I did order up a new battery and it is
> coming. I am considering also getting a new voltage regulator...I will
> probably put that in the alternator and keep the one I currently have as a
> spare. I want to have a spare anyhow.
>
> So with the engine running and the starter battery taking a charge....I
> get a reading of 14.02 v at the alternator
>
> at the starter battery, I get 13.72v
>
> With the second battery in the charging loop...the relay activated...I
> get a reading of 13.58 at the starter battery....at the coach (aux) batt. I
> get about 12.xx when charging...but that battery is really quite
> dead...reads about 10.2 volts at rest and will not run my stereo right
> now. When I run the vehicle, both charging..I can get enough power in
> the
> Aux battery to make the stereo run for maybe 15 minutes...or bring my
> laptop battery up about 3/4 charged.
>
> I cleaned all the connections and have topped up the electrolytes before
> taking these numbers with a radio shack digital multimeter...
>
> So is 14.02 at the alternator good? Is that voltage drop between there
> and the starter battery near acceptable? Am I on the right track,
> thinking
> my older aux battery is needing replacement? Worthwhile swapping in a new
> voltage regulator and putting the present one into my spares box?
>
> Thanks, Don Hanson
>
>
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