Dead chassis batteries

[jerry davis]

It's the large silver one bolted to the rear (as you look into the compartment) of the battery bay. There are two large positive (red) battery cables attached to the top of the silver solenoid. On my 05 there is no panel to remove to see it.

[Rick Coleman]

I replaced the same one as Jerry, but my '05, built in October '04, has a black cover over that area at the back of the compartment. Mine also has the formed plastic cover over all the batteries. That cover is a pain in the neck, but I have chosen to keep it to keep the batteries clean.

[two sailors]

Thanks! I will look again. I think it still works but with all the talk I bought the replacement just in case.

[Mike&Kitty]

Just this morning our 2005 FDDS experienced chassis battery failure while plugged into shore power at an RV park. I revved up the old computer to see if there was anything on the IRV2 site about the problem. I want to thank all of you who contributed to this topic. It gave us the information we needed to begin to rectify the problem. Right now we are jumpering to the house batteries. When we return home from our Christmas trip, we will be ordering an echo charger.

Once again the Alpine Forum came to the rescue. You guys are awesome!!!

[dgerstel]

Mike & Kitty,

I wouldn't just add the Echo charger. If your solenoid is failing and you don't take care of that problem, then you won't be charging your house batteries while driving. The solenoid handles the charging both ways, house to chassis system and chassis to house system. The Echo charger just charges the chassis batteries off of the house system.

[Mike&Kitty]

We have a question. What brand of solenoid should we get and where can we get it?