13.7 is low, that’s near float voltage for an fla. if you can adjust your alternator voltage up closer to 14-14.5v. Measure your car or truck for comparison.
Hey Himmelberger! Thanks for watching and for the comment. So, I would say you are correct and all my other vehicles seem to be in the range you note when I check them, not that any are adjustable anymore. However, I have tried increasing the voltage and it seems to cook the water out of the batteries pretty quickly. The manual describes a procedure for adjusting the regulator with the hvac fan on high (90 amp fan motor) at 1000 engine rpms (which is 2300 rpms for the generator) and attaining a constant 13.7 volts. So I have been keeping it there for 20 years or so and while I still have to regularly add water (about 2-3 times a year with 8-10 thousand miles of driving) I never have a low battery to start, always about 12.6 volts. The batteries last about 8-10 years and they don't use nearly as much water. Since I have changed most of my lights to LEDs and there is not much else running except for the refrigerator when moving, there isn't the kind of demand it originally had as a bus. Thanks again for the comment. I should have explained this in more detail in the video I guess. I should also add, that after starting and having sat for a while, the voltage will run in the range you note temporarily, but will settle at 13.7 under normal conditions.
@@strayhound61 hard to argue with that track record, if it works, it works :-) If you're in a warmer climate that voltage could be better than I'm thinking. I have mine set a bit lower as well, but only because I want my solar to finish the charge, not my alternator. As long as the batteries are hitting 14-14.5v once and a while you should be fine. The 12.6v resting voltage still seems low and is indicative of undercharge. My $.02 is to run higher voltage, batteries will boil, but replacing water is cheaper than batteries. On the other hand, if they last a long time for you, no sense in changing what you're doing. Thanks for putting out the video!
I agree 100 percent
Great video
Thanks much 🙏
Thank you!!
As always, good advice, thanks John.
Thanks Mike. Careful lifting one of those 8-Ds!
Very nice - we just did this last weekend :)
Hope I didn't take your video idea. ;-)
13.7 is low, that’s near float voltage for an fla. if you can adjust your alternator voltage up closer to 14-14.5v. Measure your car or truck for comparison.
Hey Himmelberger! Thanks for watching and for the comment. So, I would say you are correct and all my other vehicles seem to be in the range you note when I check them, not that any are adjustable anymore. However, I have tried increasing the voltage and it seems to cook the water out of the batteries pretty quickly. The manual describes a procedure for adjusting the regulator with the hvac fan on high (90 amp fan motor) at 1000 engine rpms (which is 2300 rpms for the generator) and attaining a constant 13.7 volts. So I have been keeping it there for 20 years or so and while I still have to regularly add water (about 2-3 times a year with 8-10 thousand miles of driving) I never have a low battery to start, always about 12.6 volts. The batteries last about 8-10 years and they don't use nearly as much water. Since I have changed most of my lights to LEDs and there is not much else running except for the refrigerator when moving, there isn't the kind of demand it originally had as a bus.
Thanks again for the comment. I should have explained this in more detail in the video I guess. I should also add, that after starting and having sat for a while, the voltage will run in the range you note temporarily, but will settle at 13.7 under normal conditions.
@@strayhound61 hard to argue with that track record, if it works, it works :-) If you're in a warmer climate that voltage could be better than I'm thinking. I have mine set a bit lower as well, but only because I want my solar to finish the charge, not my alternator. As long as the batteries are hitting 14-14.5v once and a while you should be fine. The 12.6v resting voltage still seems low and is indicative of undercharge. My $.02 is to run higher voltage, batteries will boil, but replacing water is cheaper than batteries. On the other hand, if they last a long time for you, no sense in changing what you're doing. Thanks for putting out the video!