H3-45 batteries dead. Help?

kemo3ce · January 09, 2015, 08:47:32 AM

I don't know if I can post this here if not let me know, I got an h3-45 running 24 volt, my batteries died... can you guys explain to me if the batteries die from just sitting there? I was turning the bus on every 3-5 days, then I got busy and let it go about a week and a half and when I went to start it it was completly dead.. now a few of my questions, running 24v do I always have to start it every few days? Or should the batteries be fine and I have something that's pulling current causing the batteries to die? Thanks in advance guys and if I posted this in the wrong place let me know.

robertglines1 · January 09, 2015, 09:01:17 AM

More info needed. Factory conversion--IE marathon liberty etc? Year? Mechanical master switch?

muldoonman · January 09, 2015, 09:03:43 AM

Leave my XL for weeks at a time with switches turned off (engine compartment) and she always starts when powered up. Batteries are about 2 and a half years old. I even switch it off on overnight trips. Are you shutting it down when you leave it idle?

Oonrahnjay · January 09, 2015, 09:07:35 AM

Quote from: kemo3ce on January 09, 2015, 08:47:32 AMI don't know if I can post this here if not let me know, I got an h3-45 running 24 volt, my batteries died... can you guys explain to me if the batteries die from just sitting there? I was turning the bus on every 3-5 days, then I got busy and let it go about a week and a half and when I went to start it it was completly dead.. now a few of my questions, running 24v do I always have to start it every few days? Or should the batteries be fine and I have something that's pulling current causing the batteries to die? Thanks in advance guys and if I posted this in the wrong place let me know.

No experience with Prevost but does your bus have a master battery cut off switch? On my bus, I have two Group 31's in series (24V) for start batteries. I was away for about 4 weeks over Christmas (and time off with the flu) so I didn't do any thing to my bus for that time. It sat with the batteries switched off in the cold. I came back and put a pair of "Smart Chargers" (one individually on each battery). Within 90 seconds, both chargers went to "Float" (i.e. the batteries were still pretty much fully charged after sitting 4 weeks in the cold - but they were switched off at the main master switch).

Most modern vehicles have "parasitic current draw" - current to keep memory in radios, autostart for generators, sensor voltage, etc. A week and a half is probably uncommon to have start batteries completely run flat, but that's what the main master cut off switch is for.

luvrbus · January 09, 2015, 09:14:45 AM

1 bad battery in the 4 will kill it in a hurry with even the master switch off

kemo3ce · January 09, 2015, 09:30:28 AM

it does have a master cut off... supposedly i say that because the batteries obviously died.. all 4 batteries are new idk if there is ever an occurrence where a battery would be bad coming from factory. it actually has 2 cut off switches one in the dash and one in the battery bay, and yes i we had them both off... its a 2000 model passenger bus

luvrbus · January 09, 2015, 09:33:43 AM

Yes you can differently get a bad battery in a group of 4

chessie4905 · January 09, 2015, 09:48:27 AM

Also if they never had a full charge and you started the coach weekly and didn't run the coach/engine long enough to bring the batteries back up, the cumulative effect could be what you experienced, especially if temps dropped with low batteries. If those batteries are old, maybe it is time to replace them. Can you get the date codes off them? Someone here can decipher the numbers. Do you have a nearby power outlet to hook up a battery charger? If your charger is only 12 volt, you may need to disconnect one from the other to charge. Charge them up and test them. Make sure the water level is over the plates first.

TomC · January 09, 2015, 12:53:50 PM

I have 2-31 batteries for starting. I can go months without starting (no shut off switch) and starts fine. Course, I have no electronic devices (like batter equalizer, etc). Charge all batteries up, leave them disconnected from each other, then check them in a week. The bad battery will show up. Good Luck, TomC

Utahclaimjumper · January 09, 2015, 01:03:10 PM

Starting each 3-5 days is a no no, it will cause way more harm that good.>>>Dan

Jon · January 09, 2015, 01:09:04 PM

As Bob said a lot more information is required.

But generally speaking 4 good batteries will retain their charge for months, even with the master "on". However as has been said if one is bad it can ruin the entire set quickly.

Separate them and test them individually after charging them all up to float. Also the reason Bob asked the question is it might be a clue because some coaches have phantom loads even with the key off. I doubt if a professional conversion will have any, but some allow the chassis and house batteries to be connected to help jump start the coach, and if that feature is employed that could be the problem because most professional conversions have many key off phantom loads.

If the coach is a home built conversion there is no end to reasons why batteries go dead.

If I were you I would start by separating the batteries and charging them and then testing them. New batteries can and will fail.

Ace · January 09, 2015, 01:57:55 PM

I have an H3 and going on experience I can tell you that if you don't start it and let it run or have it hooked up to an external battery charger with the batteries turned off or left on they will go dead in as little as three days whether you have one bad one in the group of four or not.
I had the same problem but Nelson at millennium coach told me to get an Extertal battery charger 24 V and leave it hooked up when the bus was not running! Ive never had an issue since!

luvrbus · January 09, 2015, 02:37:32 PM

They are funny beasts I been around H-45's that can sit for a month and fire up then the next one after 3 or 4 days the batteries are dead

gumpy · January 09, 2015, 02:56:58 PM

Could be you have a 12v tap that has phantom loads. I had that issue with my MCI. The 12v was connected directly to the battery, so
turning off the master switch did not turn off the 12v. I installed a switch on the 12v, but I leave my batteries connected to the house
bank and on float from the inverter when parked.

kemo3ce · January 09, 2015, 04:06:29 PM

thanks for all the help. i appreciate it I'm charging the batteries as we speak still haven't gotten to charge them all yet, ill keep you guys posted if you like and i appreciate the quick responses to the question.

Quote from: luvrbus on January 09, 2015, 02:37:32 PM
They are funny beasts I been around H-45's that can sit for a month and fire up then the next one after 3 or 4 days the batteries are dead

is this common? the bus isn't converted but I'm pretty sure someone messed with it a little so i will have to check things...