The source of my current confusion as I try and unravel the mysteries of my new motorhome. 2x fairly new deep cycle 12v and 4x6v cranking batteries which are not holding charge very well. See the isolator switch, I'm pretty confused about its function! I installed a new starter motor , the old one was stuffed, which apparently needs less cranking amps, so looking perhaps to replace the 6v batteries with 2x 12v.
When I get the new batteries I'm hoping to have enough cca to spin the V8 cat over and then I can move onto the next issue which is getting the wheelchair lifter to work! Off for a cruises for a week or so , so it might be a job for the new year!
Bill I'm only joking but ............ if you put a lead on that 6V battery you might get some 'juice' out of it!!!!
I guess you had it off for fitting the starter motor?
It was common practice to just use 2 banks of batteries & use a 2-way switch like in your photo in by-gone days.
Same on boats.
Now days it seems most are using the much more auto Redarc relay that will auto disconnect before it flattens your start batteries too much.
I'm assuming both the start & house battery system is 24V?
What voltage is the wheel chair lift?
You probably need to have a very good assessment of existing equipment & decide where you go from there.
If most of the house 'gear' is old rubbish then that may sway your decision.
If your engine batteries are stuffed now & the 2 12V are good then maybe switch them to engine & go for Lithium TM for house batteries.
Be good to let T1 & a couple of others crawl over it as it is to assess.
On the other hand I'm thinking you might be a farmer type so a bit of bale string & fencing wire might do? (also TM)
******************* BruceS
Mannum, SA
********************
It looks like your wiring is all bits and pieces, mine was like that, chaffed and bared wires everywhere. There are a lot of disconnected wires in that lot and taped and spliced going on. I would be seriously drawing up a detailed plan and starting from scratch with new wire for the most part and lots of cable ties and saddles. I see there is a wire flagging loose and looks like its sitting against a manifold.
Dirk, The picture is a little deceptive with the wire on the manifold, but I do have one more cable tie to add to the wires running to the starter motor. As to your other points, entirely agree. This old girl has been refitted at least twice in her career as a motorhome and there are wires everywhere! I envisage much of my time in the near future will be nutting out what was, what is and what should be. I have a sparky mate who is keen to have a look...he will probably remain keen right up until he actually has a look then I am thinking he will run the other way at 100mph! I am hoping he can sort out the 240v for me in the 1st instance so that at least we can go caravan park camping in it sooner rather than later.
Bruce, where the isolator switch confuses me is the impact of switch position on charging and what amps are available for cranking etc etc, I will work it out eventually im sure! I am anticipating that Redarc might be a beneficiary of my venture into motorhomes!! The seem to have quite a bit of handy gear.
Everything is 24v, except for a 12v setup for radio , uhf etc. the lifter is 24v. ...not too worried by that at this stage its either the controller or the motor on the power pack ( i hope)
The 2 x 12v that are fairly new don’t seem to have enough cranking amps, they are deep cycle, so not sure of thier suitability for cranking.
The battery switch is unlikely to be rated high enough for cranking currents.
The starter needs to come directly from the crank battery and even then, with the switch set to 'both', there will be very high currents through the switch during cranking.
A voltage sensitive relay to connect the house batteries only when the alternator is charging is the preferred option.
A trip to the battery shop will soon get the batteries cranking ability tested.
Jim
Jim & Jennene with Teddy & Pascale. RIP Scarlet
Used to have Iveco towing a 5th Wheeler
Now back to dreaming again...
Nomad's Almanac http://www.c-com.com.au/nomad.htm
T1 is Terry .... he's a moderator on this forum and is very heavily involved in helping others (if he likes them?) get the bits & pieces together to have these Lithium batteries installed the best & safest way. There is a dedicated forum & Terry (T1) is mostly the one doing the advising over there. Invitation only on that forum.
I'm sure if you yell TERRY he'll reply to you!!
There are a couple on here that have the Isuzu implant & can probably help you with batteries for that starter motor.
Many years ago I had an old Bedford & the first few times I used it I simply threw the power lead in a window & connected it to a 4-way Kambrook board!!!
There's no excuse to not get out & enjoy trips as you put 'it' together!!!
******************* BruceS
Mannum, SA
********************
oldtrack123 wrote:HI
Just to be a little pendantic
!2v or any Dc voltage less than 110V is correctly termed "EXTRA low voltage ":)
"LOW" voltage is any voltage exceeding 40V AC <650V AC or 110V DC<
PeterQ
None of us are likely to every run 11,000v cabling or ensets in our rigs, so for simplification it always reverts to low voltage being the DC part and high voltage being the AC part, extra low voltage is what LED light use
T1 Terry
A person may fail many times, they only become a failure when they blame someone else John Burrows
Those who struggle to become a leader, rarely know a clear direction forward for anyone but themselves
