Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-08-2013, 08:54 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Zeta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Preston, ID
Posts: 1,213
Send a message via Yahoo to Zeta
Double, double, boil and trouble.

This week's problem started last week with a smell. I initially thought it was a waste water smell, but couldn't find anything. Turns out the rear starting battery was being boiled dry. Not good. This, of course, happened while I was on the road. I bought a battery to carry as a spare because the starting battery(ies) still worked, but wouldn't last long.

Made it home, but the batteries were toast the next morning (second time this year it's broken down in my garage--at least it's trying). Figured the problem had to be my new 270a, DC Power alternator, but discovered it would also boil them with the engine off and on shore power. I measured charging voltage on both the starter and coach batteries--both normal--and discovered the separator didn't seem to work on occasion and was getting warm even while the engine was off with no shore power. Replaced the batteries and separator, so far it seems fine, but I'll be sniffing around it for a while.

Sigh
Z

__________________
'06 RB50 SMB Diesel

https://www.tomsinclair.net
Zeta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2013, 08:53 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: Double, double, boil and trouble.

You do realize that these vans don't suffer problems like this if you would just leave them in the garage?

Mine is fine while parked in my driveway.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2013, 10:39 AM   #3
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
Re: Double, double, boil and trouble.

Tom,those alternators are supposed to have an upgraded regulator in em. I'd be surprised if that was the culprit. Mine ramps way down when there is no load and the batteries are fully charged. Not to say things can't go wrong but since I installed AGM starters I haven't had any more trouble...before I was going through batteries at least every two years and the first two years I owned the van I had to replace them twice. If you've lost the regulator I'm sure you'll be able to tell and I would think DC-Power might make it good for you. I just think wet cell batteries suck
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures
daveb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2013, 04:59 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Zeta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Preston, ID
Posts: 1,213
Send a message via Yahoo to Zeta
Re: Double, double, boil and trouble.

AGM batteries weren't an option at the time. I agree, next time. I drove the rig 100 miles today, everything seems fine.

Z
__________________
'06 RB50 SMB Diesel

https://www.tomsinclair.net
Zeta is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

Zengi

Amy V

Bruce

Sboring35
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.