Re: Chassis Batteries won't charge, but Coach Batteries are over cha

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shallowroots
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2019 1:15 am

Chassis Batteries won't charge, but Coach Batteries are over chargin

Post by shallowroots »

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Help!  We just completed a trip.  We put new batteries in for the Chassis and all was well.  We went on the trip and returned to have our coach batteries boiling over, nearly empty (we filled them before we left for the weekend trip) and the chassis batteries are now not charging.  It's a Safari Sahara 1999.


Not sure where to start looking.  We have a Heart  Freedom 20 inverter


Sue



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Gary Smith
Posts: 791
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2000 11:10 am

Re: Chassis Batteries won't charge, but Coach Batteries are over cha

Post by Gary Smith »

'Sue,Other than the Heart inverter and your alternator, what other charging sources do you have?  How much solar?
Get out a multimeter and check the voltage getting to the house batteries when the inverter is powered (shore power), then without shore power and engine is running, then when in full sun get solar charging voltage (no shore or engine charging).  One of these (maybe more) is likely to be high.  Report back with the voltage readings under each condition (to the closest 10th of a volt, such as 14.3v).  This will help pinpoint the problem source and zone in on a solution. 

Gary'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT
On Mon, Oct 28, 2019 at 7:00 AM shallowroots@... [Safarifriends] wrote:
 

Help!  We just completed a trip.  We put new batteries in for the Chassis and all was well.  We went on the trip and returned to have our coach batteries boiling over, nearly empty (we filled them before we left for the weekend trip) and the chassis batteries are now not charging.  It's a Safari Sahara 1999.


Not sure where to start looking.  We have a Heart  Freedom 20 inverter


Sue



--
Gary Smith
ImageImage '
wolfe102001
Posts: 502
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 6:23 am

Re: Chassis Batteries won't charge, but Coach Batteries are over cha

Post by wolfe102001 »

'Sue,
If one of the house batteries is bad, it will "fool" the inverter/charger into over-charging the batteries.  This is anytime your inverter/charges has an external source of 120 VDC (shore power or generator).
So, for the boiling house batteries,have them checked.  Easiest with wet cell is with a HYDROMETER which is inexpensive from any auto parts house.  OR you can remove the cables after they are fully charged and LOAD TEST THEM.
You will need to do some diagnosis on the chassis battery not charging.  If you don't have one, you need a DIGITAL VOLTMETER.  They are under $20.  With shore power disconnected/generator off, start the engine and run it at around 1100 RPM. Check voltage at each battery bank.  Should be around 14 VDC.  If not, raise the bed and locate the BATTERY ISOLATOR.  Check for voltage at the center lug (connected to the B+ terminal of the alternator.  Should be 14.5- 14.8 VDC.  This is assuming your coach still has the DIODE-BASED  BATTERY ISOLATOR.
Voltage readings on the two outer lugs of the isolator should be about .7 VDC lower than the center lug-- around 14 VDC.
Let us know what you find.
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mel96safari
Posts: 719
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:06 am

Re: Chassis Batteries won't charge, but Coach Batteries are over cha

Post by mel96safari »

'SueI suggest you first start by making sure that no wire was accidentally missed, misplaced or connected to the wrong battery terminal), while putting "the new batteries in for the Chassis".

Then by reading the Heart Freedom 20 inverter owner's manual:http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Discontinued-Products/Freedom%20series%201.pdf...(Specifically "Dip Switch Programing" on page 12).
BTW as built by SMC my Freedom 20 inverter/charger does not charge the chassis batteries, it is only charged by the alternator when the engine is running...  (just like cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. with no on board inverter/charger).

Mel'96 Safari



---In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, wrote :


Help!  We just completed a trip.  We put new batteries in for the Chassis and all was well.  We went on the trip and returned to have our coach batteries boiling over, nearly empty (we filled them before we left for the weekend trip) and the chassis batteries are now not charging.  It's a Safari Sahara 1999.


Not sure where to start looking.  We have a Heart  Freedom 20 inverter


Sue



'
Robert Lewis
Posts: 182
Joined: Sat Aug 19, 2017 4:04 pm

Re: Chassis Batteries won't charge, but Coach Batteries are over cha

Post by Robert Lewis »

' It might be your inverter/ charger. Check the voltage at the batteries with the charger on. Mine is normally 13.6. Check the battery boost solenoid is not on joining both banks together. I would disconnect the +12v main leads for the chassis batteries from the system, there are two, one to the engine one to the disconnect switch. See  if you can charge the chassis batteries with a battery charger, see if the inverter will charge the house batteries when on shore power.
Robert and Bev Lewis2000 Safari Continental, since 20173126B Cat, 330hpMD3060 Allison
https://safaritoonces.org




On October 28, 2019 4:00:16 AM "shallowroots@... [Safarifriends]" wrote:  

Help!  We just completed a trip.  We put new batteries in for the Chassis and all was well.  We went on the trip and returned to have our coach batteries boiling over, nearly empty (we filled them before we left for the weekend trip) and the chassis batteries are now not charging.  It's a Safari Sahara 1999.


Not sure where to start looking.  We have a Heart  Freedom 20 inverter


Sue




'
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