Broke down on side of road, need advice

[krazykiller]

Originally Posted by John Jones

I ordered one from Napa today, they can have it by end of day. They had a labor day sale and had 20% off. The 200 amp Delco came in a 330.00 and they will switch out the pull for me.

Krazy, was it the White wire that you didn't hook up?

Thanks for all the help, keep your fingers crossed that this is it!

I don't recall what color the the wire was. It was the ignition wire that I didn't hook up.

[B Bob]

John,

So sorry your first day of CC ownership had this kind of ending. Side radiator coaches like yours getting the alternator out is pretty straightforward.

Get your generator started first. The generator is powered off the house batteries in my coach. You can push the boost button while starting the generator and that will connect the chassis batteries.

[John Jones]

I installed my Delco 200 amp this morning. Everything is running great, she is charging at 14v. The installation was so simple I couldn't believe it. There were two purple wires into one spade connection (marked 79 on the wire, purple in color) that I didn't connect because it went to the ignition.

My next question is.. Do the house batteries charge off the alternator while the motor is running? If so why do I get 14v on my chassis battery and only 12v on my house batteries while the coach is running? When I start my generator the house batteries begin to charge.

Again, thanks for everyone's help. I am feeling better about my purchase.

[Old Scout]

Most coaches have either a battery isolator, an echo charger, or a solenoid controller to link/charge both battery banks when diesel engine is running. Hopefully, someone with your brand/model of coach will chine in with what you have and how to diagnose/fix it.

[B Bob]

John - The way mine works (And not all Country Coaches are the same) is that with the motor running I have to have the charger button pushed on the Xantrex charger/inverter control panel that is in front and above the passenger seat. If that is not on on my coach the house batteries do not charge.

[wa8yxm]

Assuming you wish to drive it to shop for new alternator.

Two setups.. IF you have a Bidirectional Islator Relay Device (House charges both chassis and house batteries) Start generator.. Wait for engagement Wait for 2nd engagement (1st is ATS 2nd is BIRD) and you should see 13+ volts. Start her up and drive.. normally.

If you do not have a BIRD..... Install jumper cvable (I'd use at least 4GA cable and jumper the big bolts on the isolator or jumper from house to chassis) As before start generator.. only one engagement now.

HINT: Fill you wallet before going to shop, Alternators are not cheap and installing on a motor home... OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elkski]

I like the idea of upgrading AMps while your fixing your first day issue. I'm pretty sure the prior owner knew about this. WHat is the World coming to. I would ask him to pay for it.
Randy