Low Battery

KennyGolub · 08-31-2015, 06:07 AM

Here's a new issue that just began on my Berk.

When I start it up, I get a low battery warning. Once I push the menu button in any direction to look at odometer or whatever, it goes away and does not return until the next time I start it.

It's always plugged in to shore power.

Has anyone else seen this behavior ?

Thanks,
Ken

I-RV · 08-31-2015, 06:42 AM

Ken - Mine has always done that. Just after purchase, the dealer changed out my alternator. It still does that. When I was at Freightliner in Gaffney, they told me that type of alternator which is self exciting, will that. It is a little pain that I live with. Hank

KennyGolub · 08-31-2015, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-RV

Ken - Mine has always done that. Just after purchase, the dealer changed out my alternator. It still does that. When I was at Freightliner in Gaffney, they told me that type of alternator which is self exciting, will that. It is a little pain that I live with. Hank

Thanks Hank !!

I was hoping it would be something like that. I figured the warning had to be in error since the batteries are always charged and ready to go.

Phil57 · 08-31-2015, 09:55 AM

Mine gives that warning occasionally.

kohersh · 08-31-2015, 10:23 AM

I saw it for the first time on Saturday also. Went away as suddenly as it appeared

boowho · 08-31-2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil57

Mine gives that warning occasionally.

Mine was doing it every start for a long time. One chassis battery had failed and finally it wouldn't start at all. Replaced both chassis batts; never saw the message again.

Boowho??

KennyGolub · 08-31-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boowho

Mine was doing it every start for a long time. One chassis battery had failed and finally it wouldn't start at all. Replaced both chassis batts; never saw the message again.

Boowho??

Now I'm wondering if this is some type of early warning that one of the chassis batteries is getting tired.

Coach was built in April 2014, so they're not that old. But then, who knows how long they could have been sitting on a shelf before installation.

Thanks,
Ken

kohersh · 08-31-2015, 11:33 AM

my batteries are 2011 originals and still going strong, I cant beleive it.
Just got it back from FCC Gaffney also and they didn't say a word about it. Not to threadjack but do you hear your house batteries gassing off when on the charger, even in float mode? Cause I can

KennyGolub · 08-31-2015, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohersh

my batteries are 2011 originals and still going strong, I cant beleive it.
Just got it back from FCC Gaffney also and they didn't say a word about it. Not to threadjack but do you hear your house batteries gassing off when on the charger, even in float mode? Cause I can

I wouldn't even know what "gassing off" sounds like

I had my coach in for service at Gaffney in early July, and nothing said there either.

I don't think it's something for me to be concerned about. I'll just keep an eye on it for changes. Getting closer to the time where we put it away for the winter (mid-October). But who knows... if I am able to retire after the first of the year, I may join the other snow birds and take that cover off

Thanks,
Ken

accumack · 08-31-2015, 11:41 AM

I had that problem about 2 -3 months ago I found 1 bad house battery. I replaced them all. The problem went away.

kohersh · 08-31-2015, 12:28 PM

speaking of batteries, where can I find new straps for the house batteries? Mine have been eaten by the acidity

Phil57 · 08-31-2015, 12:29 PM

Call Andy

accumack · 08-31-2015, 12:34 PM

Mine were eaten away when I got my unit I've had no problems without them. My pet peeve about Motor Home Specialists( they wouldn't do any thing about the corrosion in the battery compartment).

I-RV · 08-31-2015, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohersh

speaking of batteries, where can I find new straps for the house batteries? Mine have been eaten by the acidity

I bought two solid rubber bungees from Home Depot. Cheap fix

captnrick3 · 08-31-2015, 06:26 PM

Our Legacy does this as well. Our type of Delco alternator takes a bit to excite itself. Usually not to worry, just allow a few extra minutes of warm up and air build.

Mmnsc · 08-31-2015, 06:28 PM

On a "cold" start I get the low battery warning. Watching the volt meter on the dash the reading goes from 11.5 volts and the jumps to 14 volts. It swings back and forth for about 1 minute and then reads a solud 14 volts as the engine warms up. I questioned Gaffney after owning the MH a few months, and they told me it was normal and not to be concerned as long as it eventually settled into the 14+ volts with the engine running. Last year my alternator went out and my volt meter read 12.6 volts so FL replaced it under warranty and I still get the low voltage notice on start up.

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NV245 · 08-31-2015, 09:29 PM

Your cold start voltage fluctuation is the air intake heaters cycling. They are what are on when the wait to start lamp is on. They will pull more amps than the alternator can put out, so the meter swings are normal until warmed up or a certain speed (used to be 20 mph) is reached.

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boowho · 09-01-2015, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennyGolub

Now I'm wondering if this is some type of early warning that one of the chassis batteries is getting tired.

Coach was built in April 2014, so they're not that old. But then, who knows how long they could have been sitting on a shelf before installation.

Thanks,
Ken

When mine failed it had a huge bulge on the side. My coach was at least one year of sitting around before sold to me. Possible, I suppose for them to fail; with the bulge I suspect that the battery had frozen at one time or another.

My low voltage situation started showing almost immediately after I got the coach, but then got worse and worse as time went by until it just wouldn't crank the engine at all.

Boowho??

boowho · 09-01-2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohersh

my batteries are 2011 originals and still going strong, I cant beleive it.
Just got it back from FCC Gaffney also and they didn't say a word about it. Not to threadjack but do you hear your house batteries gassing off when on the charger, even in float mode? Cause I can

If your batts are giving off enough gas that you can actually hear it, I'd get it checked out immediately. AFAIK, that gas is pure hydrogen and if enough for you to actually hear it, I suspect that you could blow the whole back end of your coach off (if it ignites).

Are you sure that is what you are hearing?? Normally, the gas that escapes is very minimal.

Boowho??

kohersh · 09-01-2015, 04:17 PM

Bubbles, thats what you can hear, not a whistling of gas escaping.
We dont need an HindenBerk, LOL

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