Back to bitching betty

[birdhunter]

I have yet to be able to effectively use the search functions here to find posts so I am starting a new one. Upon further examination, Betty is bitching about the fresh water being low ONLY when it's above half a tank full. I don't get it, because the level gauge lights are accurate which means the tank sensors are good.

[deandec]

I had a similar problem with my Black tank level.

I just disconnected the wire at the pcb to avoid listening to the false alert.

[birdhunter]

Originally Posted by deandec

I had a similar problem with my Black tank level.

I just disconnected the wire at the pcb to avoid listening to the false alert.

Thanks. I wonder if I have slightly loose wire at the PCB. I will check it. Come to think of it, was in the vicinity of that board moving things around the time this began.

[deandec]

I should clarify for other readers of these posts.

The PCB that I disconnected the wire from is referred to as "Voice Box" or "Speaker" in my manual's wire listings. It is located on my rig in the overhead dash wiring.

The tank level indicator light is still functioning correctly.

[birdhunter]

Dean, you may have got me on the right track accidentally. I went into the compartment above the dash where the voice control and other boards are. As I was sticking my hand in there something repeatedly triggered Betty's voice check for my tanks. I would stick my hand in there and she would do it repeatedly. I finally homed in on the culprit. There is a board with probably 30 wires attached with screw terminals. On that board there is a Fairchild 7805C semiconductor voltage regulator 3 pin. It sticks out from the board and there was a heavy wire harness pressing against it. I'm certain one of the pins was already intermittent, mostly broken from the stress. This could explain why Betty would occasionally, for example, tell me to fasten my seat belt for no reason with the key out of the ignition. Whether this is also the cause of the low fresh-water bitching, I don't know, but this voltage regulator definitely triggers Betty. Unfortunately, the bad news is the voltage regulator broke off completely. You want to shut Betty up completely, just break that off. It's on the right hand side of the board, All voice is now gone. Not just tank voice, everything, and I am leaving on a 1200 mile trip now without Betty or her male companion Mr. Serious.

I will have to order a new 7805C regulator. It's not a complicated job as far as I can see, except for removing the board, but I am not capable of soldering a new component on a board so I'll have to find a professional. I would hate to have to remove that board, there's so many wires coming into it it's unbelievable. I'm wondering if I can find someone to replace the regulator while the board is still in place. Must all electrical connections be removed before replacing a component on a board? If that's the case, I guess I'll have to do a house battery disconnect before I remove it and leave it that way until the board is replaced? I'll have 30 loose wires.

[deandec]

the bad news is the voltage regulator broke off completely

Looking at your picture, my dim mind cannot see what broke off. Was it the three contacts from the regulator to the board.

The good news is that you might have found the culprit for the announcement!

It sounds like your regulator is functional with a loose connection that broke.

During your trip, could you solder each of the broken contacts together with a short wire to re-establish Betty's features?

Yes, turn the house battery and generator off when working on the connections. Soldering wire to contacts should be easier than soldering on the PCB.

If you can secure the loose regulator contacts away from the pcb you should be able to travel with the house battery turned on. The power link appears to have been broken to that board. Electrical tape could work.

I am guessing Betty and Serious are nice to have but you should be ok for your trip. You will have to be extra alert to critical functions though.

[birdhunter]

Originally Posted by deandec

the bad news is the voltage regulator broke off completely

Looking at your picture, my dim mind cannot see what broke off. Was it the three contacts from the regulator to the board.

The good news is that you might have found the culprit for the announcement!

It sounds like your regulator is functional with a loose connection that broke.

During your trip, could you solder each of the broken contacts together with a short wire to re-establish Betty's features?

Yes, turn the house battery and generator off when working on the connections. Soldering wire to contacts should be easier than soldering on the PCB.

If you can secure the loose regulator contacts away from the pcb you should be able to travel with the house battery turned on. The power link appears to have been broken to that board. Electrical tape could work.

I am guessing Betty and Serious are nice to have but you should be ok for your trip. You will have to be extra alert to critical functions though.

Not sure exactly what you mean. I've reassembled everything otherwise I would take a picture. The contacts snapped off on the surface of the board. The contacts come much longer and smaller than what is left. I am attaching a picture. It is beyond my soldering capabilities to solder wire to three closely spaced contacts. I could easily damage the board. It's the memorial day weekend. Nothing is open. I'll have to travel without betty or worse Mister Serious and keep an eye on the warning lights, although they may have been depowered as well. I'll find out

[birdhunter]

1000 miles through the Rocky mountains with no Betty. All is well. The only thing is that the low diesel light comes on constantly and flashes. It is, of course tied into that voice board.

[birdhunter]

Betty is back! Removed the voice board with the broken off voltage regulator. Took it to a professional who soldered on a new regulator. It was a delicate job. Reinstalled. While I have not driven the coach yet, all seems back to normal. No false "low fresh water" bitching.