coach battery cables overheating

[greycaddy]

I replaced the 4 6 volt batteries in my 99 dutchstar today and the positive cables became very hot. So hot I was unable to touch them. As I was attempting to unbolt the positive cable the bolt became red hot and unsoldered itself from the battery. I marked the cable and wires before unhooking the old batteries and drew a diagram, I am pretty sure that everything was correct. Any ideas?

[FlyingDiver]

You've got a dead short somewhere. Your diagram is wrong.

joe

[garym114]

Should be like the 6 volts in the pic.

[bucks2]

That's a great drawing Gary, very clear and easy to trace out.

Ken

["007"]

Welcome graycaddy to Newmar forum & irv2.
Here is some threads with links to battery hook ups check them out and also follow the 12 or 6 volt pictures provided.
You better start from scratch starting with your ground cable to chassis frame.

[greycaddy]

Thanks but they are hooked up according to diagram. What else could it be?

["007"]

If you are heating up a cable its cross with negative or positive and your going to kill the battery.
You need to check the pictures and double check your wiring.

["007"]

If you have a DP these pictures would be close to what you should have hooked up.
Note the Pos and Neg posts.
When ever you are changing out batteries you should have battery cut off switch operated and maybe pull the slide control fuses so your slides do not operate.

[Mr_D]

Here are two pictures I took of mine and posted on the Newmar owners forum here:





Yep, they need cleaning, but notice the lack of corrosion. I added 4 oz of mineral oil to each cell, cut way down on needing to add distilled water and corrosion in the battery compartment. These are the OEM U-2200 batteries after 9 years BTW.

[FlyingDiver]

You sure you don't have the ground and hot lines leaving the battery bank reversed?

joe

[greycaddy]

007 thank you for the pictures , my batteries are hooked up identical to the ones in the picture. Mr D thanks for the tip on the mineral oil.


dennis

["007"]

Question did you find your problem and are you OK now?
If you found the problem we have all made these type mistakes thats how we learn for everyone.

[greycaddy]

worked until late in the night, no fix. Taking the pickup instead to Morro Bay.
Will be back tomorrow asking for all your in put. Thanks

["007"]

When you get back can you take a picture of your batteries and post, so we can check them out.
Mean while have a safe trip and we will be here on your return.