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TWO DOGS (63.185.80.104)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 8:21 pm:   

how many of you guys turn the main disconnect off if you are not going to be driveing it for 24 hours or more.....
ED-NJ (67.85.226.217)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 8:38 pm:   

Two Dogs .
My main disconnect doesn't seem to work so I just disconnect all the battery cables.
Stan (68.150.152.113)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 8:46 pm:   

I never shut off the engine batteries.
Doug (69.244.108.42)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 9:04 pm:   

Batteries always on........solar array for trickle charge always on
Bill K. (165.121.84.30)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 9:17 pm:   

Always unless I forget.
R.J.Bob Evans (64.201.197.161)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 9:20 pm:   

Having owned our coach a grand total of 5 months I'm not sure I'm entitled to an opinion but, FWIW, we never pull the disconnect. I diligently did for the first couple of weeks after we brought the bus home but it seemed like too much hassle and I don't think the bus has been shut off for two consecutive weeks all summer anyway. It might sit for more than two weeks through November and early December but we bought it to use not sit.


'81/95 Prevost Bruce Coach conversion
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 9:29 pm:   

Dont even have one. Fuses N Breakers yeah, lots where needed, but no main disconnect.
I have a built in charger that keeps the batts up, and when I'm home I plug the bus in.
JimStacy (209.247.222.99)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 9:42 pm:   

Have disconnects on house batteries and start batteries but use only for service. Never plugged in when stored. I turn inverter off and solar is on. No problems in 6 years.

Jim Stacy
TWO DOGS (65.179.192.146)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 9:54 pm:   

great...keep going,I'm not passing judgement on anybody,...I just was curious..
Jayjay (152.163.100.73)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 10:03 pm:   

Always off unless driving, and frequently off in roadside parks and fuel stops as a handy anti-theft device. It only takes being stranded one time due to a stuck lighting relay, or a shorted diode in the alternator, to convince you that this is a good habit to get into, especially since I eschew the multiple thousands of dollars invested in house batteries/inverters/solar panels/converters/cross-over switches, etc., etc. ...JJ
Sojourner (68.60.169.142)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 10:15 pm:   

For over 12000 miles, I turn my master off after day drive. I don't want a weak or dead battery to start when I am ready to go. Old (1974) woven wiring is not healthy (brittle covering) could cause short and fire. I am in rebuilding (include new wiring) stage for now.

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.143.46)

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Posted on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 10:57 pm:   

To me, it's a master switch and one more antitheft hurdle. Also after the recent thread, I checked the current across the switch when off and it's 1.12A. Someone wired in a transformer and other unknowns and haven't tracked down yet, so need to prevent trickledown.
Richard Jones (63.80.251.75)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 2:52 am:   

Always
FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 3:10 am:   

Wish I could... no disconnect on mine, and I already had a low battery situation after a few weeks.

I ordered one off eBay that's due in any day now. The one I got has a removable key, which seems cool... if I don't lose the thing *LOL*.

It seems like cheap insurance to me.

FBB
FAST FRED (4.245.191.134)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 5:10 am:   

NEVER, a dead batt would alert me to wiring troubles .

FAST FRED
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (207.30.189.57)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 7:40 am:   

Usually, unless I forget. I have never had a problem either way, so I guess it probably is not neccessary. Although it is a anti-theft measure unless the theif knows buses. Jack
TWO DOGS (63.185.73.171)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 7:58 am:   

keep going...I know there is more than 14 buses out there
BrianMCI96A3 (67.76.66.218)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 8:30 am:   

ALWAYS, a dead battery alerted me to wiring trouble.

Actually, shortly after I bought the coach I had dead batts, and discovered that like ChuckMC-9 I have a draw that I haven't tracked down yet.

I think that when I get those issues straightened out I'll try to continue shutting it off, I like the anti-theft idea

One thing I did was to manufacture a better handle for it, it was such a pain to operate at first, it's a much nicer task now.

Brian
Leonard (66.20.133.112)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 8:52 am:   

Always and you will to once your stranded with dead batteries
Jim-Bob (12.46.52.74)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:02 am:   

My 4104 doesn't have a disconnect switch. When home I plug in & have a 15 amp charger hard wired through a 120 volt timer to run for about 2 hours per day. Tha way it doesn't overcharge.

I have two other buses that are not on the road but DO have shut off switches (and no chargers). Those I turn off due to the extended periods with no charging.
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.165.234.5)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:11 am:   

Never for the bus batteries. I have electronics that need it on all the time or the memory will go away. And, my bay lights won't work. If the batteries get low, I turn on the charger. As to house batteries, never, also. And the inverter stays on all the time. Otherwise, with the Trace SW, the inverter circuits are dead. Never did it on the other bus I owned.

I always did it driving charters as a theft deterrent.

Jim
Johnny (4.174.91.48)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:14 am:   

I leave it on. If I need power, I have a jumper box & at least one car or truck to start it.
Gary Carter (68.25.23.117)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:33 am:   

Almost never. Used to when I parked for the winter, but now winter never shows up at our house.
Johnny (4.174.91.48)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:43 am:   

You lucky $%&*()*&^%$#%^&*(!!!!!!!!!! It was about 50 degrees when I got up, & my wife says it was 44 when she went jogging this morning (about 4:30am).

:( :(
DaveD (142.46.199.30)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:49 am:   

Always. In addition to the anti-theft consideration and the possibility of drawing down the batteries, since ther is no key operated switch, it eliminates the possibility of anyone inadvertently engaging the starter, running the lights, heater blowers, etc., or actually starting the coach when it's parked.

FWIW

Dave Dulmage
(MC-8)
don (Bottomacher) (66.216.217.11)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:11 am:   

Not now. It helped me find out that my four-month-old 8D had a dead short.
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.143.167)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:27 am:   

Brian96A3 - Tell me about your better handle!
rodgerm@tds.net (64.70.24.67)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:39 am:   

Engine start batteries - always disconnected, even on overnights when traveling. Kept on a Battery Minder whenever bus is idle for over 24 hrs & shore power available.
House batteries OFF but on a charger whenever shore power available.
Just replaced the 2 - 8D starting batteries which were in the bus when I bought it 5 1/5 years ago.
House batteries, 4 - 8D deep cycles, still going strong.
'76 Prevost 35' Champion, converted in '93.
H3Jim (68.107.62.94)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 11:27 am:   

I always turn the master off along with the engine shutdown, whether I am parking for 1/2 hour or 2 months. I have a convenient switch on the dash for it, so its very easy to do. After all the battery care talk on the boards, I want to protect my start bats from discharge. I am vigilant about always keeping up to full charge so I don't have to replace them anytime soon.

From past experience, I know what even a very small current can do over a long period of time. I do not have any 24v source of providng myself a jump start if they do go bad. While I am intending on getting a large bank of house batteries, and could use them to jump from in a pinch, I haven't gotten that far yet. While I do have jump start coverage on my insurance, at home, I back into a tight space, so it might be a problem even then. It would require some very long heavy cables to jump it. I could go the charge one bat at a time route, but I figure that with all the miles of wire in this thing, that its just part of reasonable maint to always shut it off. Over time, anything I that want to have juice to when I'm parked will be run off the house bats.
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.143.167)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 12:13 pm:   

HFT has those dashboard solar chargers on 1/2 off for $10 now thru the 27th. Not good for much, but can't hurt. Lot #44768.
Soonda (Soonda) (12.47.224.8)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 2:22 pm:   

Have an '86 MCI 102A2, and we disconnect the battery whenever we're not driving or stop for longer than 30 mins.
Stan (68.150.152.113)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 3:25 pm:   

I never had a batery switch on a car or truck and didn't see the need for it on a bus, except for convenience when doing maintenance. If by any any chance the engine batteries are low, jump from the house batteries. If the house batteries are low, start the genset. If the genset battery is dead, jump it from the tow car. How many backup systems do you really need?
If your engine batteries are too low to crank the engine in less than six months sitting, you need to fix the problem. Anywhere that winter stops construction, the equipment sits al winter outside in the snow and still starts in the spring.
TWO DOGS (65.177.144.174)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 4:01 pm:   

I'm realy enjoying the 'reasons'...keep going..
Alton Gattis (Fiddlearound) (64.28.99.68)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 4:17 pm:   

I have one and we turn it off every time the engine is not running. We tailgated once and ran the genset six hours, went to leave and no start. Since then, we have had the bus rewired and nothing goes to the two 8D coach batteries except the engine starter and generator. All house use of 12 or 24 volts come from the battery bank and Trace inverter. Still--I use that main disconnect.
Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (63.224.197.10)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 4:19 pm:   

Never, and the bus would still start after sitting for 4 months without a charger. Lucky I guess.

Now we have the neat, black, round battery disconnect switch mounted next to the batteries which we use.

Click, click. Just like old fire engines. Also protects against unauthorized use, lightning strikes, volcanos and stuff.
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.142.216)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 6:21 pm:   

TwoDogs, since you started this, we're expecting a final tally (from YOU) with numbers, percentages and bar graphs. Without even trying to count, it looks about even at this point.
Henry van de Graaf (Hcvdg) (4.16.77.68)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 6:34 pm:   

24 hours no, 24 days yes. I guess that's a yes.
TWO DOGS (63.185.64.194)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 6:36 pm:   

yeah...but I got to have alot more than 30 buses...guess everybody is afraid I'm going to condem them...JUST WANT TO KNOW ! ! !

IF I get 100...I'll tell ya' what I do....
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (68.250.2.76)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 6:45 pm:   

I hit the main disconnects if I know there is an extended shutdown, but I'm not sure 24 hours is the cutoff for me.

Sorry if I haven't made your math any easier.

Gary
TWO DOGS (63.185.64.194)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 7:10 pm:   

I can handel a wishy washy answer
Pete (205.188.116.135)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 8:21 pm:   

Allways its a GMC !
Norm Edlebeck (216.114.232.19)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 8:24 pm:   

Always !!! Also, house batts with the "Green Knob" if it's going to be 24 hrs. or more.
Michael Lewis (67.160.12.18)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 8:47 pm:   

Always off except to start. I'm still working on this thing and have some "miscellaneous" 24 volt wires in several places. I'm sure there is a short somewhere, cause I did not have enough battery to start last Friday.

If I ever get the shorts and leaks fixed, maybe I will reconsider.

Michael
Ethan Tuttle (Mrert) (65.248.195.218)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 8:51 pm:   

I always shut mine off! Its second nature for me running heavy equipment all my life.
Lorin David McCleary (Wacoastmci) (148.64.136.193)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:11 pm:   

OK, I'll add my 2 cents worth...
House batteries-never (we're pp campers)

Chassis batteries, leaving coach- pull the main disconnect if we are parking (and leaving) the bus. If parked for longer than a week or so, will also connect the 24V charger if at all possible to keep batteries up.

Chassis batteries, living in coach- If we are living in coach when parked- have to leave the main on so air door circuit works. I plug-in a 24V three stage charger to keep the batteries up if our stay will be longer than two days.

Biggest hassle when disconnecting main is that the DDEC 66mph speed alarm default is reinstated when power comes back up and has to be reset. I hate that alarm!

One other note...on 102D draw does not go to zero, even with main disconnected. There is still a 50mA draw for Webasto and some other chip stuff in the 102D that are direct wired.

David
WA coast
MCI 102D
LABryan (63.198.141.130)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:32 pm:   

Start batts: NEVER. Take her out for some exercise every couple of weeks and there is no need. Good for your tires, too. Theft deterrence? It might help, but IMHO thieves are much more likely to steal my TVs and electronic equipment than the whole damn thing.

House batts: ALWAYS, if not used overnight or longer (at least until I get solar). Put your inverter and master house battery shutoff in the panel above the door. Way easier to shut off the inverter and/or the master than to tour the whole bus checking all tvs, vcrs, stereos and amps, satellite receivers, closet and cabinet lights, fans, CO and propane detectors, fridge, etc. It’s easy to miss some gizmo, but a shut-off is positive. I lose the station memory in my stereos, but no big deal.

Bryan
Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.211.4)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 9:43 pm:   

Hey, TWO DOGS!

I pull the battery switch on my coach. 1975 MC8.

I'm a son of an old highway line and charter man who prefers to learn from those who have come before, rather than learn over for myself.

I still pull the switch on the new stuff in the winter when doing the odd part-time weekend charter. And it bugs me about the fact, as LDM notes, that the disconnect doesn't "disconnect"!

I get laughed at, but at least I know I'm starting off with better odds.

If mine starts, and their's don't, who's laughing now?

If one imitates those who have gone before, when one is young, to what age might one last?

My money is on learning from the mistakes shared with us by the ones who came before!

happy coaching!
buswarior
TWO DOGS (65.179.200.89)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:01 pm:   

I ain't afraid to learn things either,seems like most people nowadays,think they already know everything,I learn stuff EVERY day..some of it is so facinateing...

hey guys..I want to know...I'm not going to make fun of you or call you names...just say what you do....
Derek (Derek_L) (24.83.196.239)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:10 pm:   

Pull the switch, every night, whether it's a MC9 or a 2004 Prevost H3-45 (or MCI Renaissance, for you, John ;-)
Ethan Tuttle (Mrert) (65.248.195.218)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:16 pm:   

hey two dogs

I work for Iowa Dot! Dont blame me! Its just my Job! Pays the bills and puts food on the table for my six kids. I just know I will get coments about the Dot


Ethan
1981 Eagle 10
TWO DOGS (65.179.200.89)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:27 pm:   

not from me...you are doing great Tuttle..
RJ Long (Rjlong) (67.181.236.27)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 10:28 pm:   

My GMC 4106 doesn't have a disconnect for the coach batteries, so I've got nothing to switch off. . . but that will probably change as progress is made.

When I worked in the charter bus industry, it was SOP to switch off the main disconnect on those vehicles so equipped every night while away from the home terminal. Back at the garage, they were left on, both because everything was parked indoors and so the shop personnel could service them as necessary.

BTW, it was also SOP to set the rear run switches to "off" also, as additional theft deterrent when out on an overnite charter. Just became part of the pre-trip to flip them back on after checking the oil. . .

FWIW,

RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA
mclough (63.235.53.110)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 11:19 pm:   

I AM PUTTING A SWITCH IN until i FIND the problem, since i have had my 57 4104 it has ALWAYS had a problem starting after 1-2 days. in fact tonight i disconnected all batteries at 100% charge to see if any loss over night unhooked. nothing worse than waking up in a rest area to dead batteries.
TWO DOGS (63.185.67.205)

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Posted on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 11:34 pm:   

correct there...some of these rest areas in Texas,might be 24 hours before somebody else stops...
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad) (207.30.189.42)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 7:13 am:   

Two Dogs,
I am a Paramedic/Firefighter for another 1 year, 3 months, 10 days (who's counting? LOL), then RETIREMENT!!! Jack
BrianMCI96A3 (65.40.113.51)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 8:44 am:   

Chuck, what I did first was take the original handle off...

Then I drilled two 1/4 inch holes in it spaced about 2 inches apart.

I bought brass pipe nipples about the height of the original knob...

Then I took a piece of 1/4 inch aluminium flat stock and drew a handle about eight inches long with a 5/8 inch grip at the end that curves downward.

The other end I cut the width of the original handle and drilled two 1/4 inch holes about 2 inches or so apart to match the ones I drilled in the original handle.

I then bolted the two together using the two 1/8 inch NPT brass nipples and put a piece of heat shrink over the grip end, and reattached the original handle with the new handle attached!

It is SO much easier to switch on and off.

Brian
carroll04 (65.1.226.36)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 8:47 am:   

Always on my 58 '04.

Carroll
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.142.216)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 2:10 pm:   

Brian! Great idea and description of the custom handle.

When I stop I usually don't 'pin' the door up, so I hold it open with the left hand and akwardly crouch and reach in with the right arm to get to the switch. Just a few weeks ago I realized that if my left hand slipped, my entire right arm would be unkindly mangled by the falling door. Not a good thought, a 30lb. papercutter slicing thru arteries. Yeck, blood all over my 8D's! ;)
FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 2:26 pm:   

Here's my batt. disconnect I just bought off that e-place. 8 bucks!

batt disconnect

Got two of 'em, one for each bank. I really think the key will give me some peace of mind for when she's parked.

Of course, I probably couldn't pay someone to steal her *LOL*...

FBB
FAST FRED (4.247.51.198)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 3:45 pm:   

Nice , but will it carry 1200A for 15 or 20 seconds 3 times if you need to start at 30F?

Great unit to turn off the house , but might work as a fuse while starting.


FAST FRED
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.141.110.36)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 5:28 pm:   

I agree with FF. This won't handle even house batteries if you have an inverter. If you insist on installing it, don't do anything you can't undo to restore your electrics to original, just in case it fries itself in the first 2 seconds of use.

Jim
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.79.46)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 5:50 pm:   

Hi Brian,

I have to agree with FF as well, I think that lil' thang will vaporize under a start load.

Unless I have the image out of porportion and those terminals are 1/2" (3/4 socket).

I'm not sure I agree that it won't handle house loads tho--

Gary
FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 6:50 pm:   

Hi Guys:

The unit has 3/8" copper terminals and is supposedly rated at 250A cont./ 500A intermittant up to 24v. Since my system is 12v, isn't my rated amperage double that?

My starter specs, according to Da Book, are:
No load... 12v/170A
Lock test (??)... 1.5v and 700A max.

I'm assuming a big load, like 20deg F. 40wt. oil, would bump up my amperage... but 1200A? Holy cow.

I'd much rather use something safe, believe me.

Thanks for any advice!
FBB
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.155.103.216)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 7:05 pm:   

Brian- amps is amps, whether at 12v or 440v. Its only watts that change with voltage and a doubling in voltage (12 to 24) will, at the same amps, double the wattage. Knowing now the specs, all the more reason not to use it on the start batteries. Sorry to be discouraging.

Jim
FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 7:48 pm:   

Hey, the only discouraging thing would be if I made something crispy out of my electrical system. I've wasted a lot more than eight bucks for less education than I just received. I'm just glad you guys are watching out for me!

Now, where would one get a disconnect rated high enough for starting? MCI surplus? Luke? Most I've seen is 500A at the marine stores.

I'm looking at a 2000watt inverter. That's 167A (@12v), right? eBay disconnect should work for that, I assume.

Thanks, guys,
FBB
BrianMCI96A3 (65.160.215.73)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 8:41 pm:   

Chuck, if you make that handle you won't believe how much a strain to operate the old handle was.

Brian
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (68.250.2.76)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 8:56 pm:   

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=14762

the bottom one.

Gary
Juan Navarro (Jnavarro) (67.113.214.138)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 9:31 pm:   

Never.

I used to turn them off, but it became a hassle. I only turn them off for service.

I think if I turn them off now I will be wondering why the bus wont start the next time I get into it.

Juan 1953 PD4104-0148
Timnvt (165.121.148.149)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 9:31 pm:   

Before the Bus Wreck in TX I would be sure to pull the main disconnect for the starting batteries if I knew I wouldn't be driving her again within a day or so.

Now with the right side bashed in, I cannot access the disconnect switch without climbing through the bay from the left side. Consequently I've neglected to shut the batteries off a few times for a couple weeks at a time and have been pleasantly surprised when she still cranks up. Not a good practice as I have had the batteries get weak on me in the past when I’d forgotten to disconnect.

BTW, I’m planning on rebuilding MIA and am in the process of constructing a bus garage to help to that end. 30 Yards of concrete will be delivered in the morning!

Tim
‘66mc5A “MIA”
FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 9:47 pm:   

Thanks, Gary!

FBB
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.66.104)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 11:14 pm:   

FishbowlBrian, I had been concerned about running cranking current through our Link's shunt because I was afraid that it was a lot more than the shunt was rated for(500 amps).

I did it anyway thinking that I could protect it by making sure that both battery banks were switched on because we have a shunt for both.

It just happens that I was watching the Link one day with only one battery bank turned on. The engine was cold.

When the engine was being cranked, the Link showed 400 amps. I notice that this is in line with the starter current specs that you posted above.

I have never worried about it since. I suspect that if your switch is conservatively rated that it would do fine the way that you want to use it.

However, I think that those ratings are pretty optimistic and if you get into a low battery or cold weather situation, you will likely beat that unit up in short order. But the battery switches that we already own have 3/8" studs, so maybe not.

Since you have one for each bank, if you make sure they are both on if you should have a slow turning starter, they'll probably be fine.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (68.250.2.76)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 11:19 pm:   

Just by coincidence I just replaced the solenoid on my starter ($71 Damn!) and it has 1/2" studs.

the transfer switch I posted has 1/2" studs too.

I wouldn't trust 3/8 studs myself.

Gary
Catskinner! (63.190.145.54)

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Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 11:47 pm:   

No I did away with mine when I installed
the Cat in my Eagle.
FAST FRED (4.245.212.228)

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Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 5:28 am:   

On the Greymarine 6-71 in my boat the starter has the orig Gov nomenclature plate that reads 900A .

Figured an 8-71 might take more.

Also Da Book has large battery requirements for starting in cold weather.

FAST FRED
Chuck Lott (Chuckmc8) (68.219.98.34)

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Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 7:02 am:   

I always turn off the engine batts when I finish driving for the day. ( or if I'm shutdown for more than 1 hour)
The only thing my coach batts power is the starting, charging and instrumentation, So, there's no reason to leave them on.
(sorry, the also do the clearence and t/s lights)
Before I start the coach, I do a precheck of fluids and such, so its no biggie to turn them on, and I also do nearly the same routine on shutdown, have a look to make sure no new fluid leaks or apparent trouble brewing.
It might be that the coach batteries would hold up fine from now on if left "on".....But for me, I see it as part of "My Way" maintainence, But I'm not saying that anyone who leaves them on is "wrong"
I don't disconnect the batteries on any of my equipment when not in use......But if the backhoe battery's dead, I ride the golfcart back to the house....
Tony (64.215.196.153)

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Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 7:47 am:   

I have a converted MCI-7 that I have been rambling around the country In for the past 18 yrs. and have never turned off the disconnect
switch. I have a model 10 Eagle that Is In the process of being converted that I have Installed a cummins engine In and the only time the disconnect was turned off Is when I changed the engine.
David Anderson (168.215.176.191)

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Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 6:07 pm:   

I've never turned my Eagle off in 3 years. Leave the inverter on all the time and stay plugged in to a 15 amp plug all the time while in the back yard and not used. I'm still on my first set of Walmart batteries, both starter batteries and house batteries. This has been one thing on the coach that has been pretty low maintenance, in my opinion.

David Anderson
Butch Williams (209.199.49.83)

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Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 10:11 pm:   

1987 MC 9, always if I'm done driving for the day,
providing of course I can remember to!
Main reason, if I work in the bays, the bay lights stay on, and any wiring I do, I prefer to NOT do under power.
Plus, any parasitic draw while camping won't cause embarassment when time comes to fire up and leave.

Butch Williams
ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.165.183)

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Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 9:34 pm:   

DOGS, wherezat final tally U promised???
TWO DOGS (63.185.80.99)

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Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:32 pm:   

things got kinda off subject...still only 50 something answers...I ain't doin' no math on it...just curious as to how people did things different ...& why....my opinion ???...there are too damn many bells & whistles & lights & fans & relays...anyone can go bad & burn your bus to the ground,wheather you have never had any trouble or not...and...I got to show you a picture of what the rat did to my house battery cable....If I go in Wal-Mart...I shut that baby off,parked for the night,I shut that baby off...that's what I do...not saying it's right or wrong...
Derek (Derek_L) (24.83.196.239)

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Posted on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:46 pm:   

Final Count:

Yes: 28
No : 20

FBB was a "I wanna", but he got disco's, small as they may be, he got added to "yes".
Airless in Mississippi (70.3.238.177)

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Posted on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 7:49 pm:   

I park I turn off batteries. I didn't when I first got bus but after being dead a number of times I learned real fast.
Soulin Heath (66.82.50.1)

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Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 4:19 pm:   

When parking,12 hrs. or less no. when parking more than that yes, I also remoove the NEG. terminal from start battery. I don't like being startled by a spark if someone (Me) leaveing light switch on in coach or whatever else that wold cause a spark when reconnecting battery. Also could be a problem if enough H gases have acumulated in Battery area to cause an ignition. (12 Hrs. or more = both switch & NEG. Battery terminal off).

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