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Paula28 · 05-28-2015, 06:06 PM

We are traveling out west (USA). While we are heading up some of the mountains, the buzzard sounds on the dashboard with "Low Battery". We slow down and hubby takes foot of the gas and it stops buzzing!! Fluid levels are correct. Has anyone else experienced this?

twinboat · 05-28-2015, 08:10 PM

Have your engine belts checked.

Just a guess, but uphill heats engine, causing fan to work harder, making belt slip.

It would help to supply more info on your MH.

Gas, diesel, class A, class C.

Paula28 · 05-29-2015, 08:44 AM

Motorhome, Class A, diesel, Cat engine 300hp

bdpreece · 05-29-2015, 12:08 PM

Like twinboat my first guess would be belts. Have you ever replaced the serpentine belt? That and the tensioner would be where I would start.

shiggs68 · 05-29-2015, 12:31 PM

I agree with checking the obvious. And along that line, check the water level in the batteries and make sure the connections are clean and tight.

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Paula28 · 06-04-2015, 12:59 PM

Had the serpentine belt and water pump belt replaced along with the tensioner. Heading up the incline, the "low battery" buzzard came on again. Any other ideas out there? Batteries are new and they were checked also. Thank you for responding...

YC1 · 06-04-2015, 02:17 PM

Sounds like your alternator is giving up the ghost at low rpms. Before having it rebuilt a simple cleaning of all connections might cure it. Shiny clean. A dremel tool with a round barrel type sanding disc works great.

If you can duplicate and then slow down enough to get it into a lower gear so the rpm's come up that will tell the tale.

Check the voltage across the batteries at idle. If it is not 13.5 or more then do as suggested. Once that is done then pull the alternator and have it bench tested or just get a replacement.

If you don't want to mess about while traveling just start your generator and let the onboard charger get the voltage high enough to silence the alarm. You may have to prop the emergency start button to keep the batteries banked together.

bdpreece · 06-04-2015, 03:13 PM

Have to agree with Myron about the alternator but unless you are driving with the economy mode button on I would think the transmission would shift down and you would actually be turning higher engine revolutions than normal.

twinboat · 06-04-2015, 04:44 PM

Did you take it to a shop and explain your problem or just have someone change the belt and tensioner ?

Did they troubleshoot the problem
?
What did they say?

Paula28 · 06-08-2015, 01:42 PM

Findings from the shop...Max output 105 amps, found tensioner loose causing low output from alternator, also water pump belt is loose. Replaced both belts and tensioner. Charging system 138 amps 14.3 volts max out put before was 105 amps 13.8 amps.