Batteries and charging 04 Adventurer

[jpspaz]

Originally Posted by AKIQPilot

David. I think you got it figured out now but I'd just like to add a few things.

On the left side of the dash is a "Battery Boost" switch. When the rocker switch is toggled and held, the chassis and coach batteries are connected together and the coach batteries can be used to jump start the chassis batteries. Like pointed out, it's a good idea to hold the Battery Boost switch for a while (maybe a minute) before cranking this way you get full cranking power to the starter and are less likely to damage the starter due to under voltage cranking. The engine will usually start just fine even if you don't hold the Battery Boost switch for 60 seconds but it's better for the starter motor if you do.

In the stairwell, typically on the left side going up, there is a Battery Disconnect switch. Some winnebago products actually have 2 Battery Dissconnect switches. One for disconnecting the coach batteries and one for disconnecting the chassis batteries. If you only have one battery disconnect switch it's most like for the coach batteries. This battery dsconnect switch does just that, Isolates the batteries from the coach or isolates the battery from the chassis/engine.

A few things in the coach stay connected to the battery even when those disconnect switches are toggled. The propane detector is one of them.

An important note: The Battery Boost switch works both ways. If the chassis battery is dead or low the boost switch will connect the coach and chassis batteries to start the engine. If the coach batteries are dead or low the boost switch will connect the chassis and coach and you can start the generator.

A few more points. If your DC wiring system is still stock, when you plug in to shore power or run the generator, only the coach batteries are being charged. If you hold down on the battery boost switch on the dash then the chassis battery will also begin charging. If you are not plugged in to shore power and the generator is not running but the engine is running then all the batteries are being charged from the engines alternator.

Hope this helps.

I have the dual battery disconnect switch and I've found that when I leave both of those in the on position and plugged into shore power, after a period of time the disconnect switches turn off and kill the connection to the batteries. Coach still has power through the cord but the batteries are no longer charging and will go dead. Does anyone know when/why these switches automatically disconnect the batteries? It only happens when in storage for a month or so.

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by jpspaz

I have the dual battery disconnect switch and I've found that when I leave both of those in the on position and plugged into shore power, after a period of time the disconnect switches turn off and kill the connection to the batteries. Coach still has power through the cord but the batteries are no longer charging and will go dead. Does anyone know when/why these switches automatically disconnect the batteries? It only happens when in storage for a month or so.

Thats a new one on me. I only have the coach disconnect and it hasn't ever turned off by itself. I've left the coach hooked to shore power for months at a time.

[jpspaz]

My first thought was that it was disconnecting the batteries when they got to full charge but I doubt it. Now My only thought is that maybe the power from the house to the rig got disconnected briefly due to a power outage and they closed the connection. It has happened more than once though.