bunk heater

Discussion in 'Millis' started by Myoneload, Nov 3, 2013.

  1. Myoneload

    Myoneload Light Load Member

    218
    45
    Jan 22, 2013
    around here
    0
    Just wondering what the norm is for using this. I have to get up about 4 times a night and start the truck to charge the batteries. Just had all 4 changed last week.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. bigdog4981

    bigdog4981 Light Load Member

    153
    41
    Oct 6, 2013
    0
    Mine doesn't shut off, you may have an alternator issue. Bunk heater draws very little current.
     
  4. Myoneload

    Myoneload Light Load Member

    218
    45
    Jan 22, 2013
    around here
    0
    It shows its charging good. Had to start truck 4 times last night. I get a beeping sound when the batteries get to 12v .
     
  5. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

    2,234
    1,316
    Jan 15, 2012
    West Coast B.C.
    0
    Webasto and Espar use very little power. I can run my cooler and heater for most of a day befor the low voltage warning comes on. And that's with 7 year old batteries.

    A Pro Heat X-45 will kill four strong batteries in 10 hours but you'll get warm coolant too.

    I'd say you have a battery/ charging problem
     
  6. Myoneload

    Myoneload Light Load Member

    218
    45
    Jan 22, 2013
    around here
    0
    Its a kw t700 2012. Shows almost 15v on gauge and the batteries were changed last Wednesday. Just get tired of getting up every hour and starting it.
     
  7. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

    2,234
    1,316
    Jan 15, 2012
    West Coast B.C.
    0
    How many volts showing going down the road?

    You could have a parasitic drain that you're not aware of.

    If you're getting up 4 times a night, that's every 2 hours. How long do you let it run for?
     
  8. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

    2,234
    1,316
    Jan 15, 2012
    West Coast B.C.
    0
    Why did you change the batteries? Did you have them tested prior to replacing them?

    Were they not holding/accepting a charge?

    Do you have lights in the under bunk storage that are possibly not shutting off?
     
  9. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

    3,270
    2,539
    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
    0
    If you are showing almost 15v when it is running, you may have a voltage regulator that is stuck wide open, cooking your batteries. Or there may be a short somewhere, and the charge is not making it to the batteries.
     
  10. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

    2,234
    1,316
    Jan 15, 2012
    West Coast B.C.
    0
    He's right, 15v is too much if its constant.

    After driving for a while, shut it off and check the voltmeter. Then run the heater for a few minutes and turn it off. Then check the voltmeter again.
    This will tell you how much voltage you're starting off with.
    This second reading will be more accurate than right after shutting the truck off because the batteries will have a "surface charge" immediately after charging.
     
  11. bigdog4981

    bigdog4981 Light Load Member

    153
    41
    Oct 6, 2013
    0
    High volts = low amps.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.