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Foretravel Technical Q&A
Section: 12VDC
Q: How does my alternator work on my Foretravel?
A: Foretravel Alternator Foretravel Motorcoaches use a Leece-Neville brand alternator that is externally excited. These alternators are not the same as what the big semi rigs use that run up and down the nation’s highways. This is commonly confused in truck repair shops. Foretravel motorcoaches and a lot of other brands use what is known in the industry as a battery isolator, this allows the alternator to maintain two battery banks at a set voltage. You also have to excite the alternator externally. Meaning that when the engine is not running there is no voltage present on the large positive outpost terminal. The alternator has two large terminals one positive and one negative on the back side of it along with two small terminals. The two small terminals tell the voltage regulator what to do. One terminal is labeled DUVAC and the second is labeled IGN. The DUVAC terminal is what monitors the output voltage, the sense wire is located on the engine battery side of the isolator (2000 year model FT’s and later models, earlier models sensed from the remote start panel). The ignition terminal is what tells the alternator to start charging. The ignition circuit is powered up when the key is turned on. When checking voltage directly at the alternator it will read higher than what is at the batteries, this has to happen due to voltage drop through the isolator and wiring to the batteries. Example; when reading output voltage at the alternator with fully charged batteries your readings could be 15 volts dc (+/-) thus allowing for a normal 1volt dc drop in voltage through the isolator, this in turn will allow for a maximum voltage at the batteries to be 14.1 vdc (batteries). The only way ignition terminal voltage will affect charge output voltage would be if no voltage present, it takes minimal voltage to start the alternator charging (7-7.5 vdc). Foretravel Motorcoach technical.assistance@foretravel.com
Q: How can the driver side seat work perfectly but the passenger side seat has no functions at all? We have a 40 2006 nimbus quad slide.
A: The driver and passenger seat are on separate breakers (12VDC) located passenger side dash area. Check for voltage at breaker #48 on the panel. If breaker has no voltage on the load side then you have a short from seat to the breaker. The seat could be unplugged also.
Q: I have a 99/320 and when I turn the ignition key on I get no power to my dash gauges, what should I do?
A: Check for 12vdc power at the ignition solenoid located at the dash panel located in front of the passanger seat. You should have battery voltage on one side of the solenoid, when you turn the key on the solenoid should close and power up the dash gauges and ignition components.
Q: I have no 12vdc power in my coach. Items like the dash monitor, dash radio; over head 12vdc lights are not on but were working fine earlier. What do I check?
A: Check to make sure the main power disconnect switch located just inside the entry door step well or on the dash panel directly in front of the co-pilot seat, is on. Many times it can be bumped while exiting the coach and not be noticed.
