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Vannor battery balance
Driving I-95 yesterday, battery balance light started flashing then stayed on full time. Pulled in next rest stop. Checked all connections, all were tight and no signs of heat. Checked both Vannor’s (chassis & house), chassis one was OK, house green led on Vannor was not lit and voltage reading were 27.1 & 14.3. Started generator, balance light went out, but Vannor still had same readings as noted.
Recently had all the house bank of batteries out to replace a R-14 relay valve. Check all the 4 year old batteries at that time, all but one checked OK. The one that was weak was still good but not as good as the others.
Do I have a bad Vannor or maybe that one battery is giving up. On the road an no time for in depth diagnosis right now. Not sure why running the generator makes the balance light go out but the voltage is still not within proper parameters.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
4 Replies
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The chassis used a monitor to light the dash idiot light to indicate an out of balance condition. There have been a number of owners who had to replace that monitor because it was faulty. When they got the dash light the 12 and 24 volt values were read on a meter and their values were OK so the defect was with the monitor.
In general terms the voltages with the engine running should be the 12 volt side should be exactly 1/2 of the 24 volt side within 1/2 volt or less. That can be checked at the terminals at the bottom of the equalizers.
Your description of the problem seems to indicate Vantare may not be using the monitor used by Prevost so if you do get an imbalance light for the house someone with Vantare knowledge may have to help you sort out how the Vantare system works so it can be repaired.
I cannot think of how it is set up except to say when the engine is running you are charging the batteries via the bus alternator, but when the generator is running you are charging via an on-board battery charger.
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Borrowed a battery tester today and found one of the 8 house batteries was in bad shape. Replaced the bad one this evening and will check everything tomorrow after the battery bank has a chance to equalize tonight.
Chuck
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This is not a popular “rule” but when replacing batteries two things need to be kept in mind. Only replace batteries in sets. Mixing new with old adversely impacts them all. When replacing batteries try to insure all batteries are of the same age.
One bad battery in a group can create all sorts of erroneous signs of problems, and in the end the savings just are not worth it.
2000 Featherlite H3-45
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Leesburg, FL -
Jon:
You are 100% correct, I am just in the middle of a business trip and was at a boat yard that had one of my exact battery in stock on the shelf and for less money than I have previously purchased at an RV shop.
It’s a get me home fix for now. Wish they had enough on the shelf for me to get a complete set.
Chuck
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