garyb1st
Well-known member
Just took the Pace Arrow out for an hour and a half run. First time we've had it on the street in almost 9 months. The primary reason for the run was to see how the alternator performed while charging the new Lithium batteries. I believe they were between 80 and 100% charged when we started. I know the lithium batteries will pull a lot of amps from the alternator so expected the volts to be high. But based on the readings while we were on the highway I'm wondering if they were possibly too high and maybe a problem with the charging system.
The motorhome has a voltage indicator on the dash. It was reading about 14.1 - 14.2 for the entire trip. The motorhome also has a voltage meter in the cabinet that houses the tank and propane meters. DW checked the main and aux batteries while on the road. The main was showing 15.1 - 15.2 and the aux batteries just under 15 at highway speed. So the dash meter and the meter in the cabinet were showing significantly different voltages.
A couple hours after shutting down, I checked both the house and chassis batteries with my multi-meter. Both looked good. The chassis about 13+ so likely still had some surface charge. The new lithium house batteries were at 13.27 and increasing. That's also what my Victron Battery Manager read. Prior to taking off, they were at 13.3. They had been at that level for several days. The Victron also shows the batteries at 100%.
I've read that if the voltage output of the main battery is 15v or more, it could mean there is an issue with the charging system.
So my questions.
Does this sound like an alternator issue?
If not and still a charging issue what could it be?
Anyone with a Fleetwood product know what the typical dash voltage reading is?
With a difference between the dash reading and the reading in the cabinet which one is likely more accurate?
The motorhome has a voltage indicator on the dash. It was reading about 14.1 - 14.2 for the entire trip. The motorhome also has a voltage meter in the cabinet that houses the tank and propane meters. DW checked the main and aux batteries while on the road. The main was showing 15.1 - 15.2 and the aux batteries just under 15 at highway speed. So the dash meter and the meter in the cabinet were showing significantly different voltages.
A couple hours after shutting down, I checked both the house and chassis batteries with my multi-meter. Both looked good. The chassis about 13+ so likely still had some surface charge. The new lithium house batteries were at 13.27 and increasing. That's also what my Victron Battery Manager read. Prior to taking off, they were at 13.3. They had been at that level for several days. The Victron also shows the batteries at 100%.
I've read that if the voltage output of the main battery is 15v or more, it could mean there is an issue with the charging system.
So my questions.
Does this sound like an alternator issue?
If not and still a charging issue what could it be?
Anyone with a Fleetwood product know what the typical dash voltage reading is?
With a difference between the dash reading and the reading in the cabinet which one is likely more accurate?