Community Forums

Janet and Todd · 05-17-2015, 06:04 PM

OK, this is weird. I've been having an issue with the chassis batteries draining while the coach is plugged into power. I have a new Big Boy solenoid. I've let the coach sit, plugged into power with the chassis switch in the OFF position. The batteries did not drain down as I would have expected. I was also able to start the engine and drive over to fuel. I would think that I shouldn't have been able to start the engine with the battery switch in the OFF position. Is this not so? Makes me wonder if it was wired incorrectly when it was built. Thoughts?

JLMunsil · 05-17-2015, 09:13 PM

Check to be sure that the lights go off on the vansco when the switch is off. If not the switch may be bad.

StansCustoms · 05-17-2015, 09:29 PM

We had a switch that was really stiff...and when it was turned it rotated rather than turning off because the lock nut was a little loose.

They are rugged switches and have a very audible snap when they are turned off or on...unless the whole thing just rotates.

Janet and Todd · 05-18-2015, 07:24 AM

Jim, the Vansco lights go out when I turn off the house but stay on when I turn off the chassis. Stan, the switch is a Blue Sea. Neither one of the switches "snaps". I'll check to see if the pilot lamp goes out but they are very dim.

Okay, I just went out (since the sun isn't quite up yet) and turned the chassis battery switch. The pilot light stays on no matter what position the chassis switch is in. I think Stan may by on to something! Thanks, Stan.

DrDaveMA · 05-18-2015, 07:39 AM

It sounds like someone replaced the cutoff switches, there is no pilot light on the OEM switch, I wonder why, it may have been an issue before and someone swapped switches thinking that fixed the problem. The Vansco is on the house battery.

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Dave, Bobbi and Fenway

Janet and Todd · 05-18-2015, 08:46 AM

Dave, maybe it's OEM on the 06 Apex. Both the Arnolds and the Barbees have the same switch.

We're going to be in Yakima in a few days. I'll just swing by Aubrey's and ask them about it.

Janet and Todd · 05-18-2015, 10:43 AM

After letting it sit with the cross connect and chassis switches in the off position, I turned the chassis battery on. The Vansco lit up but #19 was off. A few seconds later, the big boy snapped and pin 19 lit up. I've never had this happen before with the cross connect in the on position. I'll check voltages between the two banks in an hour or so to see if they are equal.

JLMunsil · 05-18-2015, 11:47 AM

The cross connect switch should stay in the off position. On mine the vansco is connected to the chassis battery. If the cross connect switch is in the on position then the chassis switch will not turn off the vansco because you get feedback from the coach batteries thru the cross connect switch.

Leave the cross connect switch off. Turn the chassis switch on and off the vansco should go on and off with the switch. Turning the coach switch on and off will not affect the vansco with the cross connect off.

Remember that if the vansco is off the chassis batteries will not be charged when on shore power.