Cummins alternator not charging house batteries

[John_Canfield]

While on the road and stopped for lunch yesterday, I just happened to check the inverter status and the house battery bank voltage and found them way down (11.2 volts) from inverter operation.

I cranked the engine and saw the chassis battery voltage where it should be but not the house batteries.

How does Freightliner charge all batteries from the engine - an isolator maybe? Whatever they use, where is it located?

We finished up our week at the factory last Friday and I'll post a report sometime today.

[John_Canfield]

While on the road and stopped for lunch yesterday, I just happened to check the inverter status and the house battery bank voltage and found them way down (11.2 volts) from inverter operation.

I cranked the engine and saw the chassis battery voltage where it should be but not the house batteries.

How does Freightliner charge all batteries from the engine - an isolator maybe? Whatever they use, where is it located?

We finished up our week at the factory last Friday and I'll post a report sometime today.

[MNGolfer]

Probably your aux start solenoid contacts oxidized. This is a common problem. On our Journey, the solenoid is located on the left side of the electrical panel behind the front access door. Got this tip from another Journey owner and confirmed we also had the problem. He had replaced his solenoid a couple of times, but same problem reoccurs.

[Joe-K]

The connection between the two battery banks should be through the emergency start solenoid. You should be able to manually operate the solenoid with the emergency start switch and measure both sides of the solenoid for the same voltage potential. Could be that the control signal to the solenoid isn't working or that the solenoid itself isn't.

[John_Canfield]

Thanks Donn & Joe,

I called Freightliner and they told me it is a house and not a chassis issue. Makes sense.
The "Battery Boost" solenoid is operating - at least I can hear it clicking in the compartment.

Later today I'll start the engine and operate the solenoid and see if the house batteries are getting charged (the cats are having a little nap at the moment )

That solenoid is continuous-duty rated so I might toothpick the switch operated while we look for a permanent solution (assuming the contacts are good.)

[Old Snipe]

John,

I have a WB Adventurer, not the same as your unit, of course, but I had the same problem. WB uses a solenoid to isolate the batteries, I replaced it with one from Winnibago Parts and paid probably double what I could have gotten it for at an auto parts store. It is a standard, run of the mill auto solenoid, next time I'll take it off and just match it up.

BTW, really enjoying your website and trip to AK report. Good Job!

Best Regards!

[Moder2]

John,

It is part of the intellitec system that controls the relays etc.

A while back we had a discussion on this, I learned a bunch from it:
Electrical Curiousity

John

[cbeierl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It is part of the intellitec system that controls the relays etc. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Ultimates had Intelletec's B.I.R.D, but we don't have that in the Vectra/Horizon lines.

[John_Canfield]

I'm pretty sure we do indeed have a bad solenoid - I started the engine and operated the Battery Boost switch and we are not bridging the battery bank.

Thanks all for the help!

[Joe-K]

John,

Replacing the solenoid sounds like your fix, but if you're on the road and can't get the Winnebago part quickly and want to get it fixed, a local NAPA auto parts should have a replacement.

For anther use, we found a NAPA part number ST-85 to be a continuous duty solenoid that should be similiar. Might give you a part to compare to what you have if you need a temporary fix while you're traveling.

I guess the other alternative would be to run the generator if you not the house batteries getting low while driving.

[John_Canfield]

Joe - we'll just let the genny auto start when the house batteries discharge. I might replace the solenoid myself because it would be easier than going to a Winnie dealer. I'll use your part number as a potential replacement.

Thanks!

[jcar6109]

If you want to be thrifty and really cheap, have tools available, and are really curious those solenoids can be taken apart, clean the contacts and put back together.

Contact arcing and soot is what usually dirties the contacts and then causes a no continuity situation. The contacts can be cleaned with steel wool or scotch brite if they are not pitted too bad.

Just like others have said those solenoids are run of the mill continuous duty relays. They are also used on garden tractors and other starting applications or other 12 volt controlling situations.