Batteries

[Robert T]

2004 Endeaver ,does the alternator charge the coach batteries? Reason I am asking , my batteries are borderline, they are the orginal.

I tested all six batteries after charging them over night and checking them with a good quality battery tester under load after 60 minutes having removing the battery charger.

The 4 coach batteries tested on the high side of weak the cranking batteries test on the low side of good.

Do I have to replace all six at the same time or can I replace the cranking or coach batteries as a group and later replace the coach or cranking batteries as a group? If the alternator charges all six batteries as the coach is driven then I have to change all six at the same time. Considering staying with the Interstate batteries. Still expensive at $650.00 for all six. I have noticed that the alternator out put is slitely on the high side. I removed the alternator and my extended warranty paid for a rebulit. Still a little on the high side on output .I have been told as batteries wear they will cause the alternator to work harder.

After I had the alternator rebuilt I found a Freight Liner dealer selling new Neese Neville 160 amps altrnators for $160.00. I do not know if they still have any left but they do ship, if you need one let me know and I will get contact info.

I did find keeping a pulse charger on all batteries when the coach is in storage has help extend the battery life.

If I could get the batteries to go another year then I could afford a top line batteries at a cost of $1200.00. End of 2012 will be retiring and will use the coach alot.

[DannyB1954]

The alternator output is controlled by it's voltage regulator. It should be at least 13.8 volts, and could be as high as 14.6 volts. The amount of amperage is determined by how much voltage difference there is between this alternator voltage, and the battery voltage. The greater the difference, the greater the amperage. When your batteries are low the alternator my be putting out say 60 amps, but when they are fully charged, the alternator my be only putting out 20 amps, (enough to power the stuff running in the vehicle). The alternator is not trying to control the amperage, only the voltage.

The maximum amperage an alternator will put out is determined by how heavy the wiring is inside of the alternator. Bigger is not always better. Sometimes it is a waist of money. Not everyone needs a 160 amp alternator, and the vehicles wiring harness might not be able to handle a higher amperage alternator. The more amperage you want to move, the thicker the wire needs to be, or the wire will get hot, and the voltage drop through the wire will be great. I think mine is a 60 amper, and it charges my batteries and runs everything in my vehicle just fine.

When your house batteries are low, start the engine and check the voltage at the alternator, and then at the batteries. If they are not pretty close, you probably have some bad connections, wiring that is too thin, or bad battery isolator. To get fully charged the batteries need to get at least 13.8 volts. If they don't they will never fully charge, and will go dead quickly.

Cranking batteries and house batteries are of two completely different designs, (on the inside). The house batteries have thicker plates in them. This gives longer output times, but at lower amperage. Cranking batteries have thinner plates, but more of them, so they can put out lots of amps, but not for very long. You can replace the cranking batteries separately from the house batteries. There is usually a device that separates the house batteries from the cranking batteries when the engine is turned off. That way you can run the house batteries down and still be able to start your engine.

Do a search on here for solar power systems and there will be an extensive explanation about batteries there.

[elgarc]

Robert T:

I have needed new coach batteries for awhile (adding lots of distilled water), but I've been on power for several months, with inverter/charger providing 12V power. Getting ready to hit the road pretty soon, and looked over my original Interstates really well, (6 yrs) and saw they bulged and were cracked on top. Went to Costco bought 4 new wet cell Interstates @ $74 each. 1 yr warranty only though. Not cheap, but not the $ you are thinking about. If no 'card' then WalMart for something more. ( Less of a warranty though, according to the clerk I asked.) On the forums I frequent, many have said they have great service from these batteries. Just saying....

Gary

[William Willard]

Gary -- You probably got the U2000 Interstate Battery -- They don`t have the Ah capacity as the U2200 battery that came as original equipment -- The U2000 battery has 45 plates, where the U2200 has 57, & 4 lbs heavier -- Bill Willard

[Robi.1014]

My thought: put off the purchase....unless you intend to do a lot of dry camping. If the starter batts have trouble starting the engine some morning, you've got the "Battery Boost" switch (make sure this is working before hand!!).

[86 Cavalcade]

Robert, What is the phone number and address for the Freightliner Dealer that has these 160 amp alternators for sale? Thanks, George

[86 Cavalcade]

Bob, I have called and talked to this Kenworth dealer several times and the last time I called Columbus. I think the guy I talked to was Mike and he looked up the LN 2824LC and said these had never been stocked by them. The LN alternators that they had bought and sold a lot of are the 110-555 part number and they are a J-180 style mount but are the short hinge and he also had Delco 24si on hand but they are the short hinged ones also. I ended up buying a Delco 28si, part #8600307 from the local Kenworth dealer for $361.27 including tax. These are brushless with an internal fan. They also have the Sense or Duvac terminal that this Leece Neville has as well as the ignition excite and the terminal for the alternator light, as well as the tach terminal. I just hope this thing works after I hang it in place. Thanks for the lead, I am sorry they did not have these 2824LC's though, it is almost always easier to replace like for like. I will let you know how this turns out, good or bad. George

[86 Cavalcade]

Bob, I told you I would let you know how this turned out. I installed the Delco 28SI as I mentioned in the above post and it worked great except I could not hook up the ign. wire to the alternator because the engine would not shut off. I am very pleased with this alternator. Thanks for your information though. George