Community Forums

Old Scout · 01-31-2008, 04:35 AM

This really doesnt add much to the central thread but in a fit of bordom the other day I was looking at the WRV wiring diagrams [for my 2003], there were two solar options in 2003: a 10 watt and a 100 watt config. Depending on the config, the controller was wired differently to the bats [house Vs chassis]. Not sure why the difference or if the 10 watt config was ever used. However, I am curious as to how the "echo" charger fits into this discussion? My thinking [right or wrong] was that the solar tops off the house bats and the echo charger keeps the chassis bats charged based on the house/chassis bats differential.

dgerstel · 01-31-2008, 05:08 AM

Old Scout,

The 10 watt is wired direct to the chassis batteries with only a diode to prevent draining the batteries at night and used to keep those batteries topped off. The 100 Watt is wired to the house batteries with a regular solar controller for charging these batteries. The echo charger was dropped at some point in time, probably when the Vansco system was added to the coaches. The Vansco system uses a HD relay to connect the 2 battery banks when one bank is at a voltage high enough to indicate that it is being charged.

Dale

Jim&MaryJo · 01-31-2008, 05:17 AM

Dale,
that's my understanding from WRV too and I think 2004 is the transition year.

Despite the 2004 literature indicating an echo charger is provided, WRV advised me that Vansco system replaces the "switch-over" charge between battery banks, formerly performed by the echo.

I've already changed the relay once and suspect it's not working again (dead chassis batteries after a few weeks, with aditional 100w panel)

two sailors · 01-31-2008, 09:17 AM

Can you tell me which solenoid in the sealed box that causes the problem. I bought a replacement then took the cover off and decided I didn't know as much as I thought I did. Plus I'm not sure how to test the solenoid.

Brad

Bigsky · 01-31-2008, 05:10 PM

Brad - I had the same problem on our 04, found a ground wire missing on pin D of the Battery Interconnect Switch. Also by operating the battery boost switch you can connect the two sets of batteries together and if the wire is missing as I suspect,the house batteries will start charging and remain charged until you remove the shore power. Next time you plug in you will have to use the Boost switch to get the batteries togther again. Check my post of 9-25-06.

Al