Batteries and now the weather.
Jon, Joe, Alek, et al, Thanks for all the help! I have followed your advice and here is where the situation stands; first I did the obvious (some of which I had done prior to my plea for help) checked the circuit breakers, like R5 and all the large 12V and 24V breakers near the rear cut-off switches. This time I pressed them extra hard and pressed the reset button on all the small breakers inside the rear engine compartment and in the compartment below the drivers seat. I tried to start from the rear. No luck. Same with the cab ignition. I then used my battery tester and came up with almost 13V on all batteries. Testing the the post with the red plastic cover on the starter, grounded to the frame, yielded a value of 13.3V. I didn't have anyone to press the starter button so I didn't get that reading. A reading from the jumper lugs was 12.9V. I decided to use a different electrical tester. I now have a 11.9V on the batteries with that tester and 12.3V, after applying a load for 15 seconds, using the other tester. At this moment I have my chargers on individual batteries that have been disconnected from the others. Charging at 10 amps for 2 hours.
I hit my head a 3rd time on the battery door light switch causing it to start bleeding again (some folks never learn), the outside temperature is now above freezing but the wind is blowing about 30mph with gusts to 50:eek:. The good news is the sun is shining!:) I will go out to check the charge in a couple of hours and post the results. Oh, the Battery gauge inside the bus moves a bit and the Voltage gauge reads 13.5 volts.
Finally, if the batteries test at 12V or slightly less wouldn't there at least be a solenoid click or would there just be silence?
Again, thanks to all. I will give you an update as soon as I have one.
Batteries and now more bad weather.
Gary, the Interstate batteries are only 14 months old and still under warranty but I am beginning to think that is the problem. When I put my small, automatic charger on one isolated battery it charged up to over 13V. I am now charging a 2nd battery overnight and will check in the morning if the 1st held the charge. If they appear to be OK I will do what Tom and Jon suggest and check the output at the starter for the 25.8V that Tom gets at the starter. If that fails the next step will be new batteries.
I sincerely appreciate all the time and effort everyone is taking to help me with this problem. Needless to say joining the POG and meeting such great people has been a very rewarding experience.
I will post an update when I have completed the charging, etc.
Thanks!