Batteries

[0533]

The answer to the question of batteries is not only converter specific, but it is often specific to a particular model year or length.

My 97 45 foot Liberty has the chassis batteries where everybody else's is, but my house batteries are immediately forward of that in the small compartment. A five year newer Liberty has the house batteries located in the center of the coach behind the first bay. My 87 Liberty had all batteries located in the engine bay, starting with the chassis batteries in the normal position and the house batteries in racks above them. Three Libertys and three distinctly different locations for the house batteries.

Hi Jon, I new you would not have a simple answer. I certainly understand the convertor and year diferences, and also from coach to coach, upgrades, special features etc. But is there a basic list of batteries, or do we now have them all listed?

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Bruce,

Now you are asking for the moon. At one time the only batteries supplied with the chassis were Delco 1150 and Prevost made it clear that was what they wanted in there. I have seen all different types even in the chassis, including AGM so I have no clue if Prevost even specifies a particular brand or type.

If you have read the posts in the past you will see that even for the same converter, and the same model year different batteries or types are used.

Again to use my 97 as a reference I have 4 8D AGM Lifeline. I have seen the same model year coach as mine with 3 8D gel cell, and when I was at Liberty in their shop I saw them replacing batteries with a different brand (Deka I think).

I replaced a wet cell generator start battery with an Optima, principly because I did not want a wet cell battery venting into my electric bay which is where my genset battery is located.

I have seen some country coach conversions with six 8D batteries.

Looks like you just have to record all the batteries you have, their location, and type, and when the time comes to replace them do the research to determine if there is a better alternative.

With battery prices heading the same direction as diesel fuel I would not be surprised to see buses going back to using very large golf car six volt wet cell batteries, requiring a little bit of new cabling, but giving a lot of capacity for the buck.

[Petervs]

Gary S.
Your key fob issue will require you to get a hold of the alarm manual, the door unlocking is all part of that system. At least it is on my 94. I am sure your converter probably installed some kind of automotive alarm system, and they usually need to have the key fob programmed to match the coach, especially if the battery has died, then it loses it's "mind".

We have a TrekMate alarm, if you happen to have the same I can forward a copy of the manual, but I bet yours is different, since you are quite a bit newer.

[garyde]

Peter is probably right about the key fob, it needs resetting. The door bell should have a transformer if it is connected to a 120 volt source, if no transformer, it should have its own 12 volt fuse.

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Thanks Peter and Gary De, I have asked Panterra if they have any manuals for the locking system? I will also try and check fuses, in a day or two. The wiring diagram I have shows that the bell is wired in with the porch light, which works great, so It seems to be getting power.

Where is the Bell mechanism itself? Anybody have a clue?


And for those New to POG that are in the process of looking @ buss's, Panterra Coach has bent over backwards to help me with a few issues that I have with my new bus.

I say new, it has 92K miles and is 8 years old, but new for me. They are really going out of their way to make me happy with this purchase, and I couldn't be happier. Great company to purchase from. I just wish it wasn't snowing when we picked it up in March.

Gary S.

[garyde]

If your Doorbel system is a camera and doorbell, it may be Aiphone, like the Liberty's. If so, your bell or tone is in the intercoms inside the coach. If not, you will be looking for a small louvered plate, or small box recessed or flush on a wall.

[gmcbuffalo]

my bell and intercom system are buried in the cabinet behind the drivers seat. Top attached with velcro. It's fun finding hidden places the converts but things.
GregM

[Jeff Bayley]

Peter-

This is Jeff who you sent the Trek Mate manual to (thank you again).

I saw your post on batteries. You referenced the battery in the Pro Driver. I didn't know that had one. My Pro Driver never seemed to function right for the first 3 years I had the bus but it was never important enough for me to fuss with it. Then, a few months ago, I had an erratic idle problem. The coach idled like it wasn't firing on all the cylinders. After a bunch of looking in the wrong place by the techs (as usual) a Detroit tech disconnected the Pro Driver from the dash and the problem went away. They didn't say anything about replacing the battery but I suppose doing that could be useful before buying a new Pro Driver (don't know how much they cost and I also DON"T have a manual for it either incidentally).

[MangoMike]

Fast Roger,

I had one cell go bad in one of the chassis batteries. It seemed that this triggered the Quest charger to go bulk mode. As a result the guys working down in the bus barn called me to say that the bus was stinkin'. Thinking another Taco Tour was in the works I headed down to check things out. The batteries had been cooking on bulk with an extreme smell of sulfer. Batteries were installed in 2004.

it looks like one bad battery can bring the group down.

Mike

[Coloradobus]

You're right Mike,
One battery can do the others in. 4 days after Katrina hit found us in Jackson Mississippi with a rotton egg smell and battery balance light On.
Turns out one battery had a dead cell, and everyone else began to cook.
We were lucky to find an Exide dealer who was open, had power, and employees. However, we had to install them ourselves for they were closing and that area around Jackson was under marshall law at the time. Whew!
We installed them and got out of there.