Community Forums

ZAB · 11-17-2014, 02:39 PM

few days later I had to move the rig and the entire front electrical system was dead. I measured the voltage at both Vansco units and it was 5.5 volts. I next went to the fuse panels and found no blown fuses. The next thing I tried was to turn the parallel switch on and everything worked. I have been told that switch should not be on except in emergencies. I can not find any reference material or drawings for my 2007 SE unit. Has anyone got any ideas?

Old Scout · 11-17-2014, 03:26 PM

The Vansco Units "loose their way" once in a while [not unlike your laptop] and have to be reset using the switches in the bat compartment. By the way, these switches can and are used routinely by Alpine owners to isolate chassis and house batteries--using the parallel switch to clear the problem, suggests that the chassis bats may have been down?????

In addition to the search feature on this website, the technical library on the Alpine Coach Association [ACA] website can provide a wealth of information for owners. Are you a member or are you planning on joining the ACA? The "gearhead" sessions at our rallies also provide a super opportunity to exchange info--not to mention the great people and great times......

wa8yxm · 11-17-2014, 03:32 PM

Ok, Some motor homes, when you plug in charge all the batteries, some, only the house (I do not know if you were plugged in) some you can disconnect the chassis batteries when parked to reduce parasitic drains, Some you can not,

But if you have shore power, you have two options..

If your RV is not designed to charge both batteries the Trick-L-Start allows you to charge the engine batteries from the house charger/converter.

IF you would rather not do it that way then there are products sucn as the Battery Minder (TM) and Battery Tender (TM) (Competing devices) that can do a great job, with these you can DISCONNECT the batteries (if they have a switch for that) and still keep them fully charged, Units draw less than one amp (That would be for 2 of them) so they do not need a lot of special wires or heavy duty cords.

ZAB · 11-18-2014, 01:00 PM

I have been a member of aca.

Old Scout · 11-18-2014, 02:54 PM

Sorry--didnt mean to imply otherwise--based on the low number of posts on IRV2, I mistook you for a new coach owner. So did you solve your problem? On newer coaches, like yours, the large solenoid in the battery compartment often fails and the chassis bats are not charged.

JLMunsil · 11-18-2014, 03:39 PM

I think old scout is right, your chassis batteries are low ( the Vansco is powered by the chassis batteries ).
If you have been on shore power than the solenoid is probably not working. When you turned on the parallel switch you manually combined the battery banks.

ZAB · 11-19-2014, 03:31 PM

thanks: the post about the chassis batteries running the vansco might be the answer. I JUST HAD THE XANTREX REPLACED with a different unit. It seemed to be OK for the last two months.

ZAB · 11-19-2014, 03:32 PM

Thanks you might have the answer. I hope so.

ZAB · 12-16-2014, 05:25 PM

Thanks for all the info. My PC went belly up and I am just now getting the new one running. I am in the process of replacing the batteries. I am not sure I can identify the large solenoid Old Scout refers to, but I will try.

Thanks for all the ideas.