Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
“?But if the DC voltage in the van is 12v, how else other than in parallel could they be wired?? The idea is to increase capacity, not voltage.”
If there is a battery management system (BMS), one possibility is that one battery is used at a time and then switches to the other when voltage falls to a certain point.
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On Feb 21, 2024, at 8:52?AM, glenhyrst <phil_moger@...> wrote: But if the DC voltage in the van is 12v, how else other than in parallel could they be wired?? The idea is to increase capacity, not voltage.
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2006 AD951 Digidrive Failure and a cheapo solution
Quite a while back I posted of my travails with a failing Digidrive and my spending around ?1500 with Felder on only a partial repair which left me having to repeatedly - sometimes every time I altered the table position - having to first recalibrate and then check if the resulting position were accurate.? The Digidrive has now failed completely.
Felder did not know what was amiss but suggested that for another ?3500 I could have them visit again, have another go at it and depart with no guarantee of success.? No thank you.
So the pics show what I came up with.? My Heath Robinson answer to the David Bests on this site.? I suggest David and others like him sit down before looking. ;)
Courtesy of Amazon I bought a Wefomey 72W Adjustable Power Adapter DC 3-24v switch to plug into our 240v supply for the princely sum of ?17 and added a cheapo reversing switch known as an Up Down Arrows Momentary Rocker Switch for less than ?9.? Coupled that with a digital depth gauge lashed to the chassis with magnets and all is well.? Thankfully the motor is fine.
OK, not anywhere near as convenient as the Digidrive but it works and beats the handwheel on my first machines.
Critial comments and ideas for improvement would be welcome.? I would like to fit a permanent table position readout but cannot see how to do it without more messing about than seems worthwhile.
edit - not only forgot to add photos but not sure how to - will look further and add when I can - sorry
further edit - added to pics to photo album
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Nothing in the manual Imran, other than the option for an additional AGM leisure battery.? But if the DC voltage in the van is 12v, how else other than in parallel could they be wired?? The idea is to increase capacity, not voltage.? In my case, it appears to me that all I'm doing is increasing the ballast, but the vendor says all is well.? I do not believe it but am prepared with a little persuasion to alter my position.? I have been known to be wrong in the past - according to my wife anyway.
So yes, wait for Westfalia and hope they are better at coming up with support than some of us find with Felder!
I guess we have all experienced similar - being told all is well and finding it not to be so.? In my case the problem is made worse by the next authorised Westfalia dealer is about 250miles away.? A walk in the park for you chaps in the US but almost the other side of the world for us in the UK.
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Phil,
Does the user manual say anything about the electrical system of the van?
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On Feb 21, 2024, at 8:24?AM, Imran Malik <imranindiana@...> wrote: ? Phil,
Looks like you have not been told that they are in parallel by the dealer. From your response, it is implied that you cannot see the evidence that they are in parallel either. You should wait for the manufacturer to confirm this. It is impossible for anyone to guide you without knowing how things are connected. On Feb 21, 2024, at 2:43?AM, glenhyrst <phil_moger@...> wrote: ?Sadly? cannot access the battery area to take meaningful pics of the kit that lies there, under the seats. It would involve removing the seats which I am trying to avoid doing.
But the van is new, was manufactured by Westfalia, the terminals that I can see look pristine,? The voltages I measure are taken separately across each battery's terminals.? And only one shows any voltage drop in use of the 12v electrics.
It has just come back again from the van retailer and when I tackled them again about this, I was told (yesterday), in no uncertain terms, that the technician had confirmed that both batteries were working together.
Again, to a thicko like me with an aged brain, are my voltage observations of my two 12v batteries powering a 12v system (so must be in parallel I had presumed) where only one drops its voltage, compaitble with them "working together"?
Is there any complex bit of kit that would enable this to happen?? And if there is, why?? Why not just wire them together in the standard straightforward and simple fashion?
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Phil,
Looks like you have not been told that they are in parallel by the dealer. From your response, it is implied that you cannot see the evidence that they are in parallel either. You should wait for the manufacturer to confirm this. It is impossible for anyone to guide you without knowing how things are connected.
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On Feb 21, 2024, at 2:43?AM, glenhyrst <phil_moger@...> wrote: ?Sadly? cannot access the battery area to take meaningful pics of the kit that lies there, under the seats. It would involve removing the seats which I am trying to avoid doing.
But the van is new, was manufactured by Westfalia, the terminals that I can see look pristine,? The voltages I measure are taken separately across each battery's terminals.? And only one shows any voltage drop in use of the 12v electrics.
It has just come back again from the van retailer and when I tackled them again about this, I was told (yesterday), in no uncertain terms, that the technician had confirmed that both batteries were working together.
Again, to a thicko like me with an aged brain, are my voltage observations of my two 12v batteries powering a 12v system (so must be in parallel I had presumed) where only one drops its voltage, compaitble with them "working together"?
Is there any complex bit of kit that would enable this to happen?? And if there is, why?? Why not just wire them together in the standard straightforward and simple fashion?
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Lucky blighter.? If I can get my van sorted we might pay you a visit.? Over here, for weeks now in the York area the Ouse has spread across the fields and I guess by design, spared York itself even worse flooding.
And to make matters worse, I've just been cutting up some beech boards I've had in stock for about 30 years - wood I milled myself with a home-made chainsaw attachment - and find that the worm has found some of it to be a comfortable home.? A pain made worse by its having some beautiful figuring.
And even more distressing is that whilst I laid this 8'x2'x3" boards down myself, now, even after cutting them into 4' lengths, I found them close to being too heavy to move.? I think it's something to do with now being in the geriatric age category.
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
All good here Phil, apart from the lack of rain, highs of 25, lows of 12 at night, clear sky's.....perfect campervan weather!
Kindest regards
Jonathan Samways
Hello Jonathan, thanks for your contribution.? I have posted my situation to several sites and have had quite a lot of feedback for which I am grateful but none that seem able to give me the answer to my question as to whether my van has an electrical problem or whether it's its obsessively ruminating owner that has the problem.
I'm still awaiting a reply from Westfalia but the wheels seem to turn rather slowly once their product has been sold.? At least in this regard they are not alone!
Apart from the wheels dropping off of everything over here, everything is fine thanks.? Apart from the weather today - wet and grey.? Hope all's well with you in Spain.??
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Hello Jonathan, thanks for your contribution.? I have posted my situation to several sites and have had quite a lot of feedback for which I am grateful but none that seem able to give me the answer to my question as to whether my van has an electrical problem or whether it's its obsessively ruminating owner that has the problem.
I'm still awaiting a reply from Westfalia but the wheels seem to turn rather slowly once their product has been sold.? At least in this regard they are not alone!
Apart from the wheels dropping off of everything over here, everything is fine thanks.? Apart from the weather today - wet and grey.? Hope all's well with you in Spain.??
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Hi Phil, I feel your pain, there are many complex issues with solar and few understand it. I live and run a workshop completely off grid so I'm personally involved with solar stress. Are you in UK? This is a long shot..... Bimblesolar.com They have a help and guidance section on there we'd page, this might help you. If not they have a consultant that works for them, his name is James, he is a complete solar geek. I don't know if bumble do consultancy to non bumble issues, but if you could get to talk to him he would give you sound?advice.
Kindest regards
Jonathan Samways
Sadly? cannot access the battery area to take meaningful pics of the kit that lies there, under the seats. It would involve removing the seats which I am trying to avoid doing.
But the van is new, was manufactured by Westfalia, the terminals that I can see look pristine,? The voltages I measure are taken separately across each battery's terminals.? And only one shows any voltage drop in use of the 12v electrics.
It has just come back again from the van retailer and when I tackled them again about this, I was told (yesterday), in no uncertain terms, that the technician had confirmed that both batteries were working together.
Again, to a thicko like me with an aged brain, are my voltage observations of my two 12v batteries powering a 12v system (so must be in parallel I had presumed) where only one drops its voltage, compaitble with them "working together"?
Is there any complex bit of kit that would enable this to happen?? And if there is, why?? Why not just wire them together in the standard straightforward and simple fashion?
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Sadly? cannot access the battery area to take meaningful pics of the kit that lies there, under the seats. It would involve removing the seats which I am trying to avoid doing.
But the van is new, was manufactured by Westfalia, the terminals that I can see look pristine,? The voltages I measure are taken separately across each battery's terminals.? And only one shows any voltage drop in use of the 12v electrics.
It has just come back again from the van retailer and when I tackled them again about this, I was told (yesterday), in no uncertain terms, that the technician had confirmed that both batteries were working together.
Again, to a thicko like me with an aged brain, are my voltage observations of my two 12v batteries powering a 12v system (so must be in parallel I had presumed) where only one drops its voltage, compaitble with them "working together"?
Is there any complex bit of kit that would enable this to happen?? And if there is, why?? Why not just wire them together in the standard straightforward and simple fashion?
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
My statement presumes that the batteries are actually connected in parallel. A bad connection renders the system unworkable.
Generally the first step in trouble-shooting battery electrical systems is checking the cables at the batteries. It is easy to corrode those cables under the cable jacket, near the terminal connector. It is not always obvious that has happened to the degree that it would interfere, but it sure can happen.
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John Hinman
Boise ID
K700S and A941
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
“?It is hard to picture two batteries in parallel with different voltages.”
John, you are assuming that the connections that connect them in parallel are well thought out and in good working condition. Oxidation on battery posts can easily render a connection useless or there could be a bad connection elsewhere.
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On Feb 20, 2024, at 5:15?PM, John Hinman <jhinman1911@...> wrote: ?It is hard to picture two batteries in parallel with different voltages.
How and where are you measuring the voltage? Can you post pictures of the batteries, showing as much of the wiring as is visible?
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John Hinman
Boise ID
K700S and A941
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
It is hard to picture two batteries in parallel with different voltages.
How and where are you measuring the voltage? Can you post pictures of the batteries, showing as much of the wiring as is visible?
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John Hinman
Boise ID
K700S and A941
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Thanks to all those who have taken the trouble to respond.
I guess the question I would like answering is this: given that 2 x 12v batteries supplying a 12v circuit and only one shows a voltage drop in use, is there a possible explanation for this other than a fault somewhere?
It seems to a non-electrician that there must be, but the links and circuit gizmos are buried beneath the seats and without taking these out, it is impossible to see what is there.
Could it be that some magic goes on here to account for my observations?
The supplier of my vehicle reckons all is well and the batteries are working together.?
How can that be if in use, only one shows a voltage drop?
What am I missing?
Phil
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Re: Totally off topic - batteries question
Phil, you might go the the Victron website- they have very good instructional materials on camper electrical system design and wiring. I just finished building my second camper and made good use of them! My understanding is that (depending on the configuration of the Battery Management System if any) your batteries should be identical in chemistry, capacity and age, or they won’t consistently charge if wired in parallel. Even small differences in cable length between two will mean one discharges much faster than the other, especially at high loads, one may overcharge and one undercharge, and then cables can become overloaded as well. This will wreck them in time. I expect differing internal resistance if the batteries are not identical would be equally problematic. I am guessing from your voltages that you have a version of lead-acid batteries. If you have lithium batteries with individual BMSs you should not have a charging problem but discharging still may not be even. Victron’s wiring guide explains a lot of these details. Also, this guy seems to know EVERYTHING about marine/camper battery setups (he installs and maintains them) and has great how-to articles:
Cheers
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Daniel Day
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
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Did someone here get this yesterday?
It was too far and sight unseen for me to go as high.
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Re: Adjusting AD951 jointer fence squareness
Thanks Imran, I did not realize I was missing a bolt!? Though in this case, the lack of bolt might not be affecting the zero position.? And I will check out the other idea of loosening the side bolts, I did not think of that.
Anil
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Got an update, the slider is in manufacturing stage and should arrive to the US in June.
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Re: Adjusting AD951 jointer fence squareness
Hi Anil,
I did not respond as I have a diff model. I had following thoughts based upon dual 51, may not be very useful.
First, are you missing a bolt to set the fence stop.
As for the pin and slot. Can you loosen the bolts holding the side (with slot) and move it a little before retightening to get you the 1/2 deg?
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On Feb 19, 2024, at 4:00?PM, Anil <anil00@...> wrote: ?Just wondering if folks had any ideas about this.? Basically, I can't seem to tweak the last half a degree or so.
Anil
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Re: Adjusting AD951 jointer fence squareness
Can u grind down the bolt to reach target? Designing and building for 50 years
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On Feb 19, 2024, at 3:00?PM, Anil <anil00@...> wrote:
?Just wondering if folks had any ideas about this.? Basically, I can't seem to tweak the last half a degree or so.
Anil
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imran
DanielD