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Old 07-29-2017, 04:00 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Oregon
Posts: 128
THOR #7634
Unhappy Chassis Battery Not Charging

Yesterday I was doing some 12V electrical work so I disconnected both the chassis battery and the house batteries at the battery terminals.

After I hooked everything back up I now get a dash battery light when the engine is running. It comes on after several seconds when the engine is started. I checked the voltage on the battery and its reading 12.24V while the engine is running. This indicates to me the alternator isn't charging for some reason. I disconnected the house batteries to take them out of the equation, but no change.

Is there a fuse/breaker that controls the alternator? Any ideas? I can't think why temporarily disconnecting the chassis battery would stop the alternator from running.

HELP!

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Old 07-29-2017, 05:01 PM   #2
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Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
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THOR #7035
Maybe this will help?

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Old 07-29-2017, 05:13 PM   #3
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THOR #7634
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman View Post
Maybe this will help?
I think it might. Thanks, now to study it and find those fuses.
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Old 07-29-2017, 05:53 PM   #4
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THOR #7634
[QUOTE=Tfryman;80228]Maybe this will help?

Can I ask where you got this diagram? I'd love to have more schematics of this beast.
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Old 07-29-2017, 06:03 PM   #5
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THOR #7035
Did a google image search for F53 charging system schematic. Thor won't have this as this is a Ford system.
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Old 07-29-2017, 06:50 PM   #6
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
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THOR #7634
FIXED!

My stupid, there are 3 smaller battery cables bolted together right at the positive terminal of the chassis battery. After looking at the diagram Tfryman sent in an earlier post, I realized the field on the alternator wasn't being energized, and hence no charging by the alternator.

I looked again at the battery connections and one had fallen out of sight and I missed reconnecting it. Bolted it back on with the others and now alternator charges again and dash light is gone.

Thanks so much Tfryman, you gave me the clue I needed.
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Old 07-29-2017, 08:32 PM   #7
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You're welcome. I figured it had to be something with the field excitation but I have never had to back trace my F53 so I couldn't give you any more help than I did.
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Old 07-29-2017, 10:02 PM   #8
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THOR #7634
I thought modern alternators were "self exciting"? Apparently not these alternators.
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