Ran the batteries dead for first time

Branderson · June 29, 2017, 09:37:02 AM

Maybe one day I will be able to not start a thread off by saying hey guys I'm new.....

So my bus is at the house as we prepare for the 4th camping trip. I drove it from storage last Sunday. I went to start it and the engine did a 1/2 turn....batteries dead. Now I charged both batteries over night and they are 100% and I will try to start it when I get home from work today so hopefully things are back to normal.

I'm trying to find out how/why I drained the starting batteries. For some reason when I drove it home last Sunday, I was completely out of my rhythm. I even forgot to place the blocks under the axles!! So when it wouldn't turn over, I noticed that I left all the switches on above my head. Assuming most are in the same location, I have about 6-8 switches that I flip over and an on/off button above my head on the panel that gives life to the inside of the bus. I said ahh that must have been the reason!!

Then I started to think about it. Leaving those switches on should only kill the house batteries right??

My main power lever that is connected to the starting batteries was turned off. I don't know how I killed the starting batteries. Unless leaving those switches on does in fact pull from the starting batteries somehow. Also, one other issue is when I started it on Sunday, I noticed just a very slight lull in starting but then I drove it an hr to the house. Wouldn't driving the bus for an hr recharge starting batteries?

I hope I was able to explain this well. My hope is that I'm wrong about the above switches only connected to the house batteries b/c that would be one incredible coincidence.

-Brad

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · June 29, 2017, 09:49:14 AM

Brad,

Even with the master switch off on my MC-9 there was a residual drain on at least one of the batteries. I recommend you buy a 24V trickle charger and leave it on the start batteries when you are shut down to keep them fully charged at all times. And of course, check the water every 1-3 months to ensure they do not run dry as that will kill batteries very fast. That way there, you will always be able to move your bus at any time.

Gary

Branderson · June 29, 2017, 09:59:30 AM

Thanks Gary, I was hoping that was the case. I do need to look into getting a trickle charger. I store it but start it once a month with no issues.

Jeeze I've never checked the battery water.

Branderson · June 29, 2017, 10:05:44 AM

ahh I have red top optima starting batteries which has gel. Thank god, I thought I failed to check something for over a year!!

daddysgirl · June 29, 2017, 10:27:32 AM

What Gary said...and...
Do you have a small line running off one battery that provides 12 volts to a stud?
On my MC8, the 12 gauge line feeds stud 55. If anything is on stud 55 it will drain the batteries... without the charger Gary mentioned.

Iceni John · June 29, 2017, 10:50:25 AM

Maybe a small (less than 100 watts) PV panel on the roof to keep the start batteries charged? A 30V panel will keep 24V of batteries nicely topped up, and if the amps aren't high you may not even need a charge controller. Otherwise, Morningstar makes some nice small CCs that would be ideal. A panel and CC would cost less than a set of batteries.

John

plyonsMC9 · June 29, 2017, 10:58:40 AM

What Gary said times 10. A well setup trickle charge, and keeping an eye on the batteries, is a wonderful way to handle the MC9 and the battery rundowns. IF you don't have time to setup the trickle charge, in the interim I used to disconnect the link between the 2 8Ds. After doing that, I had no more run downs. However, the trickle charger made a huge difference when - after several years - I got off the couch and installed it. Batteries always lively and coach ready to go. Even in the coldest of weather.

Don't be like me and wait so long to put that in!!

Kind Regards, Phil

Scott & Heather · June 29, 2017, 11:02:41 AM

What Gary said times 11. I always turn off my master battery switch in the battery box for this reason. I could go a year parked like that without my batteries going dead on my MCI 9. On my DDEC 102C3, I can leave the master battery switches on without losing battery. Go figure. Definitely get a 24volt charger to float charge them when parked and you probably will solve your issue.

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Branderson · June 29, 2017, 11:30:11 AM

Thanks all, the problem is when I store it, I don't have access to power. I do have a battery charger but can only use it when I'm plugged in when camping. I believe it was Gary that said even with the main compartment turned off, their bus draws power. Since I left the overhead switches on for 3 days, it must have drawn power from the starting batteries.

Now I'm worried about the house batteries......

plyonsMC9 · June 29, 2017, 12:19:50 PM

Without any a/c power, then I would just look at disconnecting the battery manually. Don't rely on the master switch. I used to disconnect by hand / wing nut connectors, or a small wrench. E-Z. A much _better_ idea would have been to use a battery quick disconnect switch. Either works. And I'm sure one of the folks will jump in w/a quick how to or picture on how best to set that up.

Probably not a bad idea to do similar for the house batteries - again assuming no a/c power for a trickle charger.

Hope this helps, Phil

PP · June 29, 2017, 05:51:37 PM

I found that if I leave the 2 coach batteries connected together, even with the main power off, there is some drain going on. I found that if I disconnect the 2 bats from each other with the main switch off, I have no drain on either of them. On one of the batteries, I use a simple thumb screw instead of a nut and leave the cable off until I'm ready to hit the road. I have 2 small 12V 1Amp trickle chargers set up to deliver 24V, but I only plug it in when I leave the batteries connected together with plans of moving again in the next few days. I have an outlet in the engine bay just for the block heater and the trickle chargers. Works for me,

Will

Branderson · June 30, 2017, 06:28:25 AM

Thanks everyone. I got home last night and both starter batteries were fully charged and it started right up. I then ran the generator w/ A/C to help charge up the house batteries and they work fine. Looks like I'm ready to go tomorrow for the 4th.

I'm going to look into the suggestions given. I'm also thinking about getting a set up at the house so when I park it outside, I can plug it in. I have all the adapters, I just need a 12g extension cord.

-Brad

Zephod · June 30, 2017, 08:28:33 AM

When I bought my bus, there was a kill switch the previous owner had wired in. I never switched it off and the battery never went flat. Then I replaced a blown 5A fuse and the battery started going flat. I started using the kill switch and the battery still went flat. Thinking it was making contact with the body, I made a plastic holder for it out of cut off vinyl planking. That worked then stopped working. In the end I found the switch was so poorly designed that the bolted on contacts could swivel and touch without human intervention. My final solution to the electrical problem was a hand wheel nut from Lowes.

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buswarrior · June 30, 2017, 11:26:54 AM

I suggest that adding chargers without knowing what underlies is a band-aid.

You need to know where the power is going, and then YOU decide when or whether it will be allowed.

Fix or replace crappy cut-off switches.

It is YOUR coach, wire it the way YOU want it to work.

Every time you go near a battery and mess with tools or otherwise, you risk touching something to ground.

Have you ever seen the power of the sun up close? Minimize the exposure.

A PROPERLY RATED disconnect on the 24 volt, one on the centre tap, and a disconnect on the house batteries.

Walk away and call it done until next month's outing?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

daddysgirl · June 30, 2017, 01:32:02 PM

Quote from: buswarrior on June 30, 2017, 11:26:54 AM
I suggest that adding chargers without knowing what underlies is a band-aid.

You need to know where the power is going, and then YOU decide when or whether it will be allowed.

Fix or replace crappy cut-off switches.

It is YOUR coach, wire it the way YOU want it to work.

Every time you go near a battery and mess with tools or otherwise, you risk touching something to ground.

Have you ever seen the power of the sun up close? Minimize the exposure.

A PROPERLY RATED disconnect on the 24 volt, one on the centre tap, and a disconnect on the house batteries.

Walk away and call it done until next month's outing?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

He has the same bus we have... model and year. Do you have, and might he also have a 12 volt line off of the right battery to front stud 55? If so, and 55 is connected to something, won't that kill the batteries, without a charger?