Overcharging
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Overcharging
My ambulance this week vehicle is equipped with a 7.3. The voltage gauge is reading at 16-17v and the battery light has illuminated a few times. What are the possible problems this can cause? We currently have the emergency start circuit engaged because we can't turn it off right now. It effectively adds 2 batteries to the system for 'jump starts'. Could this cause it? It's been on for several days and the gauge has been getting higher and higher.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
My ambulance this week vehicle is equipped with a 7.3. The voltage gauge is reading at 16-17v and the battery light has illuminated a few times. What are the possible problems this can cause? We currently have the energetically start circuit engaged because we can't turn it off right now. It effectively adds 2 batteries to the system for 'jump starts'. Could this cause it? It's been on for several days and the gauge has been getting higher and higher.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
Bad regulator in the alternator, and as nlemerise has already said, the batteries will at the very least boil, and can even explode at that voltage. Get the alternator issue addressed ASAP, and if it's gone on for any amount of time put new batteries in the rig as well to avoid being stranded one morning when they end up taking a crap because of the coating coming off or a sulfated cell.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I think the ambulance package had 2 alternators. Get them both tested, or maybe just disconnect one at a time and determine which one is causing the problem. Better to run with just one alternator plugged in than run with too high a voltage.
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale, CA
Yep... Voltage regulator in one or both of the alternators is done.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Port Elgin, On
What everybody else said, the voltage regulator is gone in one or both alts.
get it fixed asap or you'll be replacing your batteries too.
get it fixed asap or you'll be replacing your batteries too.
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
I left a note on my supervisors desk that he should understand. Some EMS folk here might get a kick out of it:
"Rig 20 is overcharging the batteries (tachycardia). Likely the voltage regulator (AV Node) has failed. Left untreated it could result in premature battery failure (vtach) or battery explosion (asystole). Unit placed out of service."
"Rig 20 is overcharging the batteries (tachycardia). Likely the voltage regulator (AV Node) has failed. Left untreated it could result in premature battery failure (vtach) or battery explosion (asystole). Unit placed out of service."
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Very clever
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