| Author | Message | ||
| LABryan (67.114.251.32)
Rating: N/A |
Two Dogs recently conducted a survey on disconnection of start batteries. More than half of the respondents said they pull the main disconnect as soon as they stop the bus. Although there were some secondary reasons involving safety/security, primary reason seemed to be preservation of enough juice to re-start. My question: If power conservation is such a big concern, does anyone know how long I can safely run clearance lights or flashers with engine off? I stopped for dinner last night where it was prudent to leave clearance lights on, and couldn't stop thinking about that survey. I ended up wolfing down my meal for fear I wouldn't be able to re-start. Assuming start batts in good condition and typical clearance light set up (not LED) in 90 Prevost, what is a good balance between battery safety and indigestion? Do the tour coach operators have a SOP for this? Thanks. Bryan | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.185.72.153) Rating: N/A |
an hour is o.k. if everything is up to par...I wasn't trying to scare anybody...just...they sure are hard to push...and...it's also o.k. to leave 'em running for an hour.. | ||
| FishbowlBrian (Fishbowlbrian) (67.165.212.171)
Rating: N/A |
I think to get the "best guess" estimate, you'd have to see what kind of amperage you're pulling while parked with the markers on. Some coach systems might need the main system switch on to run lights, etc., which probably has dozens of circuits energized. Also, you might have some of these unknown parasitic draws that some of our coaches have when parked, which prompts a lot of us to "pull the plug" on the batts for stops of any appreciable duration. Just hook up an ammeter to get the skinny on whatever situation you might consider doing with the engine off... park brakes, flashers, domes, etc. HTH, FBB | ||
| H3Jim (68.107.62.94) Rating: N/A |
Or you could do what the truckers do, just run it at fast idle. Sure seems like a waste to me though. How long depends partly on how much battery you have. Since many start batteries are sized with lots of capacity based on running the big air conditioning fans, you could probably run your lights for a long time. Certainly for a relaxed dinner should not be an issue. I turn my bat disconnect off in fear of the unknown parisitic draws - even very small ones can trash the bats. | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.66.104)
Rating: N/A |
I think there should be enough battery to carry the parking lights all night, if need be. I think this is one reason that one of the most common battery setups was two 8Ds. A Link or an ammeter will give you a good idea what you can expect. In addition, the Link will help you figure out how your batteries are doing. You need both pieces of information to be sure about how long you can leave a load on and still get started. For what it's worth. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher | ||
| Chuck Lott (Chuckmc8) (68.219.98.34)
Rating: N/A |
An easy way to find out the answer to this question would be to experiment at home- After driving the coach (to make sure your batts are 100%) Drive back home and shut her off and leave the parking lights/ or other stuff on- If you're wondering about 1 hour, try 2. Afterwards, If she won't start, charge batteries and know not to do that any more. If she fires right up after 2 hours....There ya go! Hope this helps | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.230.130) Rating: N/A |
The reason most coaches use a pair of 8D's is the clearence lights can be left on ALL NIGHT , and the coach will still start in the AM. Don't try this with the tiny 31's tho, FAST FRED | ||
| Doug Potter (Doug86newell) (63.74.232.26)
Rating: N/A |
Another way to solve this problem is to set up your coach like mine is. I have a switch to add my house batteries to the start batteries when starting. It is still a good idea to test your situation at home though. Doug | ||
| John that newguy (69.82.209.215) Rating: N/A |
hmm.. We always left the bus running if we had to run lights, etc., when not parked in a spot where we could leave the lights etc., out. (a battery isolater and switch to merge all batteries when needed, would help prevent being stranded; I wouldn't have an RV without that) | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong) (67.181.236.27)
Rating: N/A |
LA Bryan - ~~ If your OEM 8Ds are in good shape, you should be able to run the parking lamps/flashers all night and still be able to start the coach in the morning. ~~ In CA, the CHP actually recommends if you can park legally, that you leave the lights OFF!! Why? Because it's not uncommon for a drunk driver to drive right into your lights, thinking that they're following traffic. So there you have it, something else to encourage you to "wolf" your meal down!!  RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Rodger in WA (64.70.24.67) Rating: N/A |
Having replaced the two 8D start batts with a pair of Grp 31's, I wouldn't leave my bus parked long with anything left on. But if I wished to, I'd just connect my 12V/24V automotive charger to the start batts and plug it in to the house system to keep the start batts charged. Parked for long periods I'd run the genset to keep the house batts up. Then, if desired, I could also keep heat or A/C running too. As long as I have my 24V automotive charger along, I don't worry much about getting stalled with dead start batts. |