Chassis Battery and Slide-out Mystery

[Jackm]

We have a 2004 Brave 34D on the Workhorse chassis. When we pull in the slide-outs and store the jacks after spending the night at a campground, we always start the engine to make sure there's enough power to the HWH-based system. Lately though, we have to let the engine run for a few minutes before the slide-outs will even move. The chassis battery is new and the engine always starts right away. However, for some reason, there isn't enough juice to power the slide-outs after the vehicle has been sitting overnight. After the engine runs for 3 or 4 minutes, the slide-outs work fine.

When we arrive at a campground after driving all day, the slide-outs work fine (since the chassis battery has been fully charged by the alternator). But in the morning, it's always the same old story. What I can't figure out is how or why the chassis battery gets run down each night. To my knowledge, there is nothing drawing on the chassis battery while staying at a campground. Nevertheless, something is not right with the system. If anyone has any insight or advice, I'd be grateful. Thank you.

Jack

[KIX]

Jack, Maybe you could try this

On the "morning after" press and hold the "emergency start" switch then try to operate the slide. If that works then it would appear the problem is in the chassis battery to the HWH motor circuit. It could possibly be corrosion building up resistance that is overcome by the added voltage in the battery produced by the alternator. I am not even close to an electrical guru but that's my guess.

[Jackm]

Hitting the battery boost was the first thing I did when the problem first occurred since I assumed that the problem was too little power coming from the chassis battery. However, it didn't resolve the problem (which added to the mounting confusion).

Jack

[KIX]

OK. In my elementary electrical experience that indicates (along with your other symptoms) a corroded or loose connection in the circuit to the HWH motor. ONce the battery is further charged by the alternator there is enough current to overcome the resistance of the loose connection. Anyway, that's my guess

[Jackm]

Seems reasonable. I'll start poking around. Thanks.

Jack

[W8RLM]

I agree with the corrosion possibilities. On my Jpurney, the solonoid which energizes the HWH system is exposed to the road spray under the coach, and it corroded and failed. That might be a place to a check/

Good Luck.

W8RLM - Bob