[Archived]

Totally different buses, but that is the way mine acts when the start batteries are too low. I need my meter to read at least 24.5 volts to be able to turn over the engine.

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Captkel

fill out your profile so we know more about your bus, then you don’t have to repeat it with each post.

I agree with Byan. Do you know if you have a chassis charger on your bus that will charge the chassis batts when the generator is running or if plugged into shore power? Check the voltage as he says if it not low the problem is somewhere else.

If not you can charge the batts with a 12 volt auto charger if you don’t have the ability to do 24 volts ( guest charger) . Look at you 4 batteries in the engine compartment there should be two sets of batteries set up in parallel giving 12v, and then those two sets connected in series to give you 24 volts to start the bus. looking at the parallel systems connect your 12 volt charger to the end positives post and the negative post at the other end of the two batts. Give it a hour and then do the same with the other two parallet batts. Look at your batt diagram on the door of the bus engine and understand your connection and battery posts.

[Archived]

Thanks for your input. When the wife got in from work yesterday I had her turn the key to try and start the bus while I opened the back hatch and listened to it. I told her I seriously thought the batteries were low…BUT..it does have a charger that appears to be charging… so I wrote it off. Funny thing…just yesterday morning I went down to the shop and removed the cover over the batts as I wanted to get the info on them and see if they need to be replaced…I need to actually take the hold down bar off to see the dates on them but they just looked like it is time to swap them out. I had been reading posts here about Lifeline batteries and looked them up. I live near Houston and see there is a dealer there. Am going to call them this morning and see about getting 4 new ones. This coach is new to us, as a matter of fact this whole idea of busses is new to us, we are just getting our feet wet. I spent 25 years as a maintanence electrician at a power plant so I am totally familiar with preventing problems before they occur…I will dig a little deeper into the batteries and see what gives. Thanks again for your input!

[Archived]

Your description does sound like weak chassis batteries. However, the discussion that you’ve been reading regarding Lifeline batteries refers primarily to house batteries as opposed to chassis batteries.

Good luck with your repairs….

[Archived]

Capt…….Based on the coach model year it is probable those are the original chassis batteries so it is not surprising they might be weak or failed.

We don’t know your converter so answers are not likely to be specific, but be aware some conversions have been set up with a means to join the house and chassis DC circuits so in a pinch you can use power from the house batteries to jump start the coach.

One thing to get used to is the gauges. They are capable of giving early warning of needed repairs. In the case of the chassis batteries, with the engine off and the charger off your chassis voltage should have been reading 25.6 volts. If the problem is your chassis batteries I suspect the chassis batteries will be a lot less than that.

As to noises, like gauges they tell a story. As you develop experience with your coach you will begin noting all the sounds your coach makes. We all have those sounds. In addition to learning where normal is on the gauges (and reacting to a change) learn to listen to the sounds such as the water pump, refrigerator, air compressor, ACs, plus all the little clicks and humming sounds. The start cycle on the coach is the same. There is a lot going on when you turn the key, relays are closing, the ABS is doing its check, etc. You are already ahead of the curve having opened panels and poked around so it won’t be long before you know intuitively that everything is right. Is your coach a multiplex coach with the pre-trip checks such as light checks?

[Jerry]

I just went down and measered the voltage on the batts…it reads around 29 with charger on…so I turned it off and am watching the numbers go down gradually. Going to let it settle out then check it again. Was not aware that the Lifeline batts were primarily used for inverter batts. What is a good troublefree brand to use for the chassis? Also..regarding the comment on pre check lights etc…hate to sound ignorant but what does that mean?

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Jon…”is your coach a multi-plex coach with pre-trip checks such as light checks”…what does that mean? We bought this coach from a dealer that basically knew very little about Prevost coaches..and we certainly knew NOTHING…lol…I told the wife, we got just enough info to get this dude off the lot…I really wish I had a knowledgeable individual to walk me through all of the switches etc so I knew exactly what I have. I do have two big PREVOST manuals that I am immersed in and they are answering my questions…I would love to have a thorough explanation of how the various electrical systems are tied together etc…While on this topic, I am aware that I have 4 chassis batts. Am I correct in assuming that the 12 volt paralled batts run the coach loads when boon docking ..ie lights etc? And I’m pretty sure the 24 volt circuit is for starting? I have two Xantech (I think that’s how it was spelled), inverters with battery banks that I assume carry the 110 volt loads when not plugged it to shore power or running gen set? From what I can see my ice box and water pump, as well as the rest of my loads, are 120 volts..I’m curious how long an battery bank can carry loads like this if you are parked in the woods somewhere and not plugged up? These questions have popped up as I have been familarizing myself with the bus..Thanks..I really appreciate the input as I’m totally in the dark It may benefit me to run up to the local RV shop and pay a guy to come out and “school me” on this stuff 🙂

[Archived]

Save your money and go to a bus rally.

All the question you can ask for free, with the price of admission.

[Sammy]

Kelly,

I can help you if you need Lifelines, you’re going to pay too much if you by them in Houston. Like Jon said, if they’re original they need replaced, I doubt you will find a date code. They should be load tested to determine if one or more is bad.

[Kelly]

Capt…..When I asked the question it was in the context of trying to determine how your chassis is set up. I believe Prevost chassis from model year 2007 or 2008 had what is known as a multiplex system in which you have 8 or 9 computer modules that can handle all the switching, relay and circuit breaker functions non multiplex coaches do. The comment about noises made me think that if your coach is equipped with OTR you can do a systems check by walking around the coach and listening for all the sounds from solenoids to fans to relays etc. You can also initiate a light check from the drivers seat and then get out and walk around the coach to see each light powered up in turn so without a helper you can see brake lights, turn signals, high beams, etc.

Fantastic system, easy to learn and especially easy to use the message center to point you in the right direction for diagnosing problems, maybe even low voltage. (I can’t remember if it alerts)

As to chassis batteries I believe you have options such as 4 group 31 or 2 8D. Whatever you have Tom is the go-to guy.

And yes……sign up for Branson. You will leave there with a significantly better understanding of your coach and its systems, both the house and the chassis. The food, camp site and entertaining costs money, but the knowledge you will gain is free but worth way more than you can imagine.

[Kelly]

Thanks Jon..I will dig in to that multiplex system and figure out what I have. Point me to the info on Branson please. Sounds like something good to do.

[Paul]

Go to the top of the forum main page or the home page and click on the link. It will lead you to rally information and sign up.

Rallies are great fun, but every one of us that has gone to rallies over the years knows the real benefit is it puts faces with the names, it helps us get to know other Prevost enthusiasts we can talk to or ask for help, it gives us an opportunity to get very good advice from experienced owners of not only the Prevost, but the conversion, and probably more important than anything, those folks at the rally get to know you. We who own Prevost coaches are very small in number compared to many other special interest groups so by developing relationships we literally add value to our coaches.

Over the years we have met and made friends with hundreds of owners and not only is it great to be able to use our coach to meet our friends all over the country, we get to enjoy the conversations, emails and the help we have available when needed.

[Paul]

Sweet…Just saw it on top of the page…also talked to Tom for a moment regarding my chassis batts…he pointed me in the right direction. Many thanks for the input. Will look in to the Branson deal. Maybe I can get this bus to a point where I’m comfortable taking it past the driveway 🙂

[Clifford]

If you can’t get comfortable with it by October it will be even more important to come to the rally.

Don’t forget…….every single person driving a Prevost was at one time a newbie and was intimidated by their coach.

[Archived]

Yessiree..Intimidated is an understatement. I read a good post written by a guy that was a newbie and garnered some good info from it.. Just finished up with the new chassis batt install…put a big smile on my face when I turned the key and it rolled over and fired up!! Yea!!! I have a nice trip planned to the Smokey Mtns the same week of the rally in Branson…I go there every year and shoot the fall foliage…hike and do the backcountry…never know though…may have to shift things around a bit and try one of those rallys sometime…fall is usually booked doing the mountains though. Thanks Tom for the info you gave me this morning regarding batteries..House batts are next on the list and I will certainly give you a holler when I do that. Thanks again for the input guys….until the next delima…Tight Lines, Cap Kelly