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Phantom Charges

Yahoo Message Number: 8032
In doing some research getting ready to install solar panels was told that the Allison transmission controller remains on at all times, if turned off has to be re-programmed, and has an at rest drain of 2.89 amps. If this is true how does one replace a bad engine battery without re-programming the transmission. Does anyone out there know anything on this subject?>

Ron and Molly, '01 Intrigue # 11262, San Diego

Re: Phantom Charges

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8033
Ron & Molly,

I have replaced all the batteries in my coach and have not had to reprogram anything.

Hope this helps............
Steve

Intrigue #10673

Re: Phantom Charges

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8037
Hi Folks,

Let's shed some light on this subject.
1. The Allison transmission gets it's power from the VIM via wire 75 which comes from the ignition fuse box. This power is available when the ignition switch is turned on. Note there is a fuse in the VIM for the Allison harness interface. Re: foldout diagram S0699.
2. The Cummins engine ECM is powered all the time. If the chassis
(engine) battery is disconneted, then the ECM clock will report year, month, day, time minus the time power is not applied.
Fred Kovol

Re: Phantom Charges

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8038
OK Fred, but is that ECM draw from the battery 2.89 amps all the time???

Ron and Molly, '01 Intrigue # 11262, San Diego

Re: Phantom Charges

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8067
Ron,

Good question and point. I just recently purchased a 36' 2004 Allure and had a 100 watt solar panel installed. One panel does not do the job. I called to find out what the "phantom" charges are on my system. Does not appear they knew but were able to provide an estimate of what they thought they were, which was roughly 4 amps (total for all the "phantom" charges). Looks like I need to add at least another 100 watt panel.
Does anybody out there know what the correct requirement is for solar panels? or know what the actual amps are for the "phantom" charges? This electrical stuff is giving me a headache.

Thanks,
Rick
31018

Re: Phantom Charges

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8088
Rick, I am putting on three panels to handle the measured 12 amp phantom draw that my Intrigue has. The inverter itself with nothing on draws 3 amps, plus the transmission another 3 ampsm plus the engine ECM, and the stereo light, and on and on and on.

Ron and Molly, '01 Intrigue # 11262, San Diego
 

Re: Phantom Charges

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8092
Rick,

We recently installed four 44-cell panels (~400 watts) with MPPT controller to our 2002 Allure. The parasitic loads on our coach are in the 2-3 Amp range. A switched extension cord on the TV/VCR/DVD stuff above the cockpit helps keep the load lower. Turning on the inverter adds a couple Amps, but still in the 5-6 Amp range.

Four panels seems to be plenty (if tilted), but marginal on some overcast days (if not tilted). We max out about 20 Amps with this setup on a clear day.

However, solar panel charging confuses the Trace inverter RC7 GS control panel fuel gauge - the gauge reading drops a little each day even though the batteries are fully charged. Xantrex tech support says this is to be expected, the inverter system monitors battery input and output, but doesn't see the solar input component.
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Tom & Maxine Harsch 2002 Allure #30791