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Battery BAL light
Driving today, my battery BAL light came on. It has been intermittent but has now stayed on for a while. Any advice? Where is the breaker switch for it? If I shut down the engine, will it shut me down?
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12 Replies
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Paul,
If you can, measure the voltage at the terminals at the Vanner monitor or the Vanner equalizer. Use which ever one is easiest to get at.
The 12 volt readings should be 1/2 of the 24 volt readings within 1/2 volt. I have checked voltage both with and without the coach running.
If the voltages are withing the range specified above you are getting a false alarm due to the Vanner monitor. If that is the cas pull the terminal for battery balance from the bottom and replace the monitor when you get a chance. The coach is just fine. If the readings are not within the range it is possible and likely the equalizer has failed. Its purpose is to insure the chassis batteries are all charged equally and if it has failed, loads on either the 12 or 24 volt circuits are drawing down that circuit and you do risk a shutdown or lack of sufficient voltage typically on the 12 volt side of things. You will need to get that fixed.
It could be the circuit breaker on the equalizer has tripped (at the bottom of the equalizer) but if not you might need to repair or replace it.
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thanks John. So again, very new at all this. I am headed for Knoxville for a couple nights for my sons freshman orientation. I don’t have a meter with me and I may be the worst electrical guy ever. I just have a test light, will that do me any good? I may just leave the bus running and try to get to Knoxville. If it will not restart, may try calling Jeff.
Thanks!
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Regardless of what happens, call Jeff Rowe and see if he can get you in. He’ll figure out the problem and fix it, best part of it he’ll explain to what, why, when, how, where so that you’ll better understand the coach.
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Paul, I have same issue, suspect the monitor (which I bought used) since as Jon described my voltage off the EQ is nearly dead on 12.68 and 13.34 (not running) I have both BAL and HI/LO lights.
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Paul, while the probability is the monitor has failed do yourself a favor and get a multi-tester and read the voltages. If it is a problem and not the monitor you will be far better off dealing with the issue on your terms where you are safe and not alongside the interstate.
The knowledge it is the monitor erases all concerns before you travel, and if it is a problem with the equalizer a FedEx delivery and a changeout with a couple of hand tools fixes a problem that could otherwise have serious consequences.
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Paul, give me a call 865-388-7665.
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all is well and it looks like I need a new monitor. Many many thanks to Jeff who offered to and then stopped by last night to check the coach for us. And, answered a bunch of my other dumb questions. It was a pleasure to meet him and I am sure we will be using some of his services in the future. Many thanks Jeff!!
So it looks like I’ll be buying a monitor and a multi-meter and I’ve learned one more thing about these complicated machines. I continue to be in awe of all of the knowledge held by the members on this site as well as guys like Jeff. Many thanks for all the good advice.
Paul
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There are a lot of owners who prefer to leave service on their coach to others. There is nothing wrong with that. Most of the time the stated reason is because the owners do not feel capable of working on such a complex machine and we all know these coaches can be very intimidating.
Despite a lack of specific electrical knowledge I would urge every owner to carry a multi-tester and learn how to use its most basic function which is to read DC and AC voltages and to recognize the difference between the two electrical systems. So much of the information needed when a question (such as Paul’s) is easily obtained that even the newest owner with the least understanding of the coach can be guided to read voltages (for example) and know either how to deal with the problem, or that in fact, there is no problem.
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I agree John. Back home now safely. The light didn’t even blink one time on the way home…figures. Guess who already dug out his multi-meter at home and read the instructions? It’s headed to the bus. New Vanner monitor on order and on the way. That will be a cheap insurance policy for $118. Even I can plug in the wires and fix that…I think.
Best part of the whole experience was I learned another new lesson and got to meet Jeff!
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The light might not have flickered because Jeff may have unplugged the Bal wire from the monitor to turn off the light on the dash. He might be able to answer that. I doubt if the monitor fixed itself.
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Vanner says input/2 + or minus 6% will trigger the BALANCE warning. The engine should be running so there is a charge source to be accurate.
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Jeff tested it running. He suggested not unplugging the BAL wire so we did not. While I do not think it fixed itself either, I’ll still replace the monitor and eliminate that issue. I still think it is the monitor because the BAL light was on when we (Jeff) tested it.
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