[Archived]

That would not be unusual. However the Vanner monitor has not had a good track record for reliability so when at Jeff’s have him show you how to check it. It will light lights on the dash indicating battery imbalance or high and low voltage. When it is right it is a great device, but if it is wrong it drives you crazy thinking you have a problem, so if you know how to verify the information it provides you will at least have peace of mind.

We likely will cover that in the July seminar.

[Bryan]

I doubt it’s batteries, we put new Lifelines in last fall. The Monitor is likely the culprit, but as Jon pointed out, check the equalizer 12 vs 24v. If that’s OK, monitor time, less than a hundred bucks.

[Larry & Diane]

Tom does lifeline make gen and chassis batteies for my coach

[Archived]

some times when starting especially when coach is plugged in the bal light will come on

[Archived]

I fully agree with Jeff, however if the ocurance begines more frequently and the light remains on for longer durations it has been a signal to me that the monitor is on its way to failure.

As Tom says check the equalizer when the light is on, but because of access depending on where your equalizer is located you can check the 12 and 24 volt values right at the termnals on the monitor input.

[AL]

Yes Peter, Lifelines for both are available.

[Archived]

Tom,

This is an important question because we all have similar set ups.

How well will AGM batteries handle the heat in the engine area? A wet cell battery such as the Delco 1150 or the Interstate equivalent group 31 batteries are non-serviceable so they require no more or less effort to maintain than an AGM, but they tend to be far more tolerant of high temp conditions. The battery acid as a liquid can set up a flow pattern internally to help them be more tolerant of heat and to distribute the internal temps more evenly.

An AGM or gel will not be able to do that so typically they have a limit for ambient temps.

What is the Lifeline limit and has anyone determined if the battery location is acceptable for them?

As an aside, in the early 90’s I worked with an Interstate distributor who was working with their engineers in TX regarding the use of gel batteries for an RV application. After several failures we intrumented my battery area and took temperature readings and learned the temps in the area of the chassis batteries would reach almost 180 degrees. I suspect with the hotter running Series 60 or Volvo engines the temps have the potential to be higher.

I have noticed on later models of Prevost chassis the batteries are now sitting lower in a box and that might be limiting the amount of heat they are exposed to.

[Billy]

Gary’s H has the batteries in a seperate compartment not exposed to the typical XL or XLII engine heat. The published temperature limit on Lifeline’s AGM’s is 160F. Premature failure from heat of their group 31 start batteries has not been an issue.

Will 180 degree’s have an effect on the Lifeline engine compartment mounted batteries, I don’t know. If that’s a concern, suggest bying flooded at Napa.

[Archived]

I was concerned regarding Peter’s question about chassis bateries.

When I was testing the gel batteries made by Interstate I had two “explode”. I know they were supposed to vent, but either the vent failed or they just popped because the heat was too much.

I believe AGM to be superior to gel based solely on my experience and the fact I have never seen any posts to indicate a failure due to heat exposure but the chassis battery location on an XL or XLII might expose batteries to temps far in excess of the manufacturer’s limits and put Lifeline in a position where they would have to deny warranty coverage.

[John]

Don’t worry Jon I was not going to put lifelines in for chassis was just asking for the others that might have that question!!!

[Dick]

Gary, which of the three “battery” lights was on? There are 3

1) red picture of a battery, with no writing in the middle = no output from alternator

2) red picture of a battery, with HI/LO written in the middle = hi or low battery condition, as indicated by the EM70 monitor as pictured above

3) amber picture of a battery, with BAL written in the middle = greater than a tenth of a volt difference, as indicated by the EM70 monitor pictured above. This usually means the Vanner Equalizer is not functioning if it stays on for more than a few minutes at startup of engine.

[Dick]

Gary: Tom posted a picture of the Vanner monitor. If your Vanner monitor looks like the one in the picture I’ve attached, it needs to be replaced as it will no longer provide information to the lights on the dash. I would expect if your monitor is failing, and doesn’t yet look like the one in the picture, it should be a very easy unplug and replace, just keep track of the wires when you remove the existing monitor. Label them so you don’t get them screwed up. Instructions for the one I received to replace the one in the picture instruct us to put a 1 amp fuse in the wires that output to the dash lights.

What I find interesting about this device, Vanner calls it an “Electric System Monitor”. Actually, I think that is an inaccurate labeling of the device. I would not call it a “monitor”. It is an “Electric System Monitor Sending Unit“. The device does not provide any visible information, other than being powered. It provide outputs which are wired to the lights on your dash.

For replacement contact Randy Seabolt at the Inverter Service Center (rseabolt@inverterservicecenter.com), They are an advertiser.

Gary, what monitor model do you have on your coach? “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D”?

[glen]

As far as I remember it was red with no writing, I will go down to the barn and crank it and see if the light comes on, as far as I remember when in Georgia for the overnite on my way home it came on only for a few seconds, I will try to check and see what the Vanner says, sorry I have been away for a few days at a side by side shoot, gary

[Fred F.]

I checked the monitor it is as tom posted a “D” There is a larger one above it Vanner 100amp 7″x12″, I will crank coach while I mow and see if it is on and what it looks like, Are you saying that if mine is like Toms which it is it needs to be replaced? gary

[Davy]

Gary,

The monitor doesn’t need replaced if working, you just need to be sure it’s fused as others have pointed out.