Dead batteries

[bigstonebay]

First of all I have not searched the forum for answers. But.
We have a 2006 Ventana, have never had a problem with the batteries, but yesterday, the chassis batteries were dead. We are not in a panic, it is sitting in a nice heated garage. I noticed a week or so ago the the lights were on, on the microwave and coffee maker with the switch in the storage mode. This probably killed the chassis batteries. But my question is, Where do you start looking for this?. Is it the inverter or what? I can push the switch for storage mode and can here something engage or disengage, But it is still allowing power through. Help if you can. Thanks.

[a k]

You killed the 12 volts but left the inverter on for 120 volts maybe?

[GaryKD]

Hi bigstonebay,
So we can make sure we are talking about the same thing, chassis batteries = engine starting batteries. Coach batteries = power for the interior lights and inverter and appliances connected to the inverter.

The scenarios are numerous without additional information.

1. Is the coach connected to shore power?
2. Based on the above mentioned definition of chassis and coach batteries, which batteries are dead?

["007"]

Check out the information in this PDF on second page.

[Iron Man]

Storage mode does not turn off the inverter. That is why the microwave and coffee maker were stiil on. Inverter should shut off before chassis batteries go dead. It depends on what the inverter is set for as to wether the invertoer should shut off before batteries go dead.

[bigstonebay]

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi bigstonebay,
So we can make sure we are talking about the same thing, chassis batteries = engine starting batteries. Coach batteries = power for the interior lights and inverter and appliances connected to the inverter.

The scenarios are numerous without additional information.

1. Is the coach connected to shore power?
2. Based on the above mentioned definition of chassis and coach batteries, which batteries are dead?

Thanks for the replies. Yes I know which batteries are which, Right now all batteries are dead. I thought that previously if I pushed storage it would shut off the inverter too. I will have to check that. I now have it connected to shore power. Will that charge the house and chassis batteries?

[GaryKD]

Hi bigstonebay,
If your coach has a B.I.R.D. (Bi-Directional Isolator Relay Delay) then shore power should charge all the batteries. The dirt is in the details. The coach batteries will be charged first. Only when they come up to a certain VDC will the B.I.R.D. allow charging of the chassis batteries. Consider putting a portable battery charger on the chassis batteries. Let the coach converter charge the coach batteries. All kinds of strange things happen when all the batteries are not at full charge.

There should be a button/switch to turn off your inverter. It is normally located at the control panel housing the other coach controls.

["007"]

I case you do not have link explaining the BIRD SYSTEM here it is.
My 7 year old sealed chassis battery still starts her up.

[bigstonebay]

Thanks for all the help. Yes we do have a bird, located it. I have recharge the batteries but was unable to turn the inverter off at the RG7. Shut down inverter by the switch on the inverter and went through a "new installation procedure" where it says "wait for the LCD to display Waiting for AC and then place the switch on the inverter to the on position." Did that and all seems to work fine again. Don't know what happened, but I was having problems turning the inverter off and that is what killed all the batteries. Oh well, I would rather have this happen at home in a heated shop than on the road. Only a windchill of -20 today.

["007"]

I wouid say you need 12v, which you didn't have, to operate the controls of your inverter.
Bring all batteries up to full charge, both chassis & house, and you should be good to go.
DO stay warm.
Keep this thread in your file somewhere.