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av84excel · 12-13-2016, 04:35 PM

I've got a 2001 6352 TropiCal., gas. I'm new to class A motorhomes and would like to learn more about the 12V battery systems. Question: does the 12V converter charge the Chassis battery when plugged in to 120V shore power? And does the chassis alternator charge the house batteries while the engine is running? I think I understand the boost switch jumps power from the house batteries to the chassis battery to add more charge to start the engine. Would there be anything wrong with the converter keeping the chassis battery fully charged when plugged in to shore power? if not , what would be the correct way to set that up?
Thanks Curtis from Kansas

tmw188 · 12-13-2016, 04:39 PM

It's actually an inverter and yes to all your questions. It is already setup correctly.

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Woodchopper · 12-13-2016, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by av84excel

I've got a 2001 6352 TropiCal., gas. I'm new to class A motorhomes and would like to learn more about the 12V battery systems. Question: does the 12V converter charge the Chassis battery when plugged in to 120V shore power? And does the chassis alternator charge the house batteries while the engine is running? I think I understand the boost switch jumps power from the house batteries to the chassis battery to add more charge to start the engine. Would there be anything wrong with the converter keeping the chassis battery fully charged when plugged in to shore power? if not , what would be the correct way to set that up?
Thanks Curtis from Kansas

Curtis from Kansas
I don't know about your TropiCal but there are a lot of coaches that DO NOT charge the chassis battery, (or chassis batteries), when connected to shore power.
If yours doesn't you need to add something like this: Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer

tmw188 · 12-13-2016, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by av84excel

I've got a 2001 6352 TropiCal., gas. I'm new to class A motorhomes and would like to learn more about the 12V battery systems. Question: does the 12V converter charge the Chassis battery when plugged in to 120V shore power? And does the chassis alternator charge the house batteries while the engine is running? I think I understand the boost switch jumps power from the house batteries to the chassis battery to add more charge to start the engine. Would there be anything wrong with the converter keeping the chassis battery fully charged when plugged in to shore power? if not , what would be the correct way to set that up?

Thanks Curtis from Kansas

You might wait and see if a forum moderator will move your post to the National Owners Forum page.

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av84excel · 12-14-2016, 11:26 AM

My converter (I don't have an inverter) doesn't seem to charge the chassis batteries and the alternator doesn't charge the house batteries. Doesn't seem to be a problem since I don't seem to have much parasitic draw, but I can see an advantage of the alternator charging the house batteries when the engine is running. Maybe this Trickle Start Battery charger maintainer would be what I would want. Would any one have a schematic or flow chart for the battery/converter/alternater system for a 2001 6352 TropiCal gas. Also I'd like to know what would be the best way to check the small solar panel ( the one that's located on top of the A/C shroud) or to determine if it is charging or working, those wires seem to go into the wiring of the A/C.
Just wanting to understand these things before I take it out.
thanks for any help
Curtis from Kansas

tmw188 · 12-14-2016, 03:13 PM

The small solar panel is probably toast for sure. Those glue down ones don't last long. As for as the rest of the info your looking for I would go over to the National owners forums and ask with a new post.

tmw188 · 12-14-2016, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

The small solar panel is probably toast for sure. Those glue down ones don't last long. As for as the rest of the info your looking for I would go over to the National owners forums and ask with a new post.

Sorry opened these last couple posts on the recents posts section on my iPad didn't realize you are on the National page already.

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Fred and Bonnie · 12-14-2016, 09:15 PM

Curtis, it sounds like your "Emergency Start" solenoid is bad. tmw188 described the correct system operation. Two years ago my system acted as you described, replaced the solenoid, https://www.amazon.com/Emerson-70-11...power+solenoid everything now works as it should.

Fred

wa8yxm · 12-15-2016, 08:08 AM

Motor homes come in multiple answers to one of your questions (Does the house converter charge chassis)

Far as I know all modern Motor homes the ENGINE is supposed to charge the HOUSE batteries when running... This goes back well into the last century so yoru 2001 it should be that way.

But the inverse (house charging chassis) is not as universal. Some do, Some don't.

How to tell Two ways, one easy the other definite

On my coach the 12 volt accessory outlet on the dash is a CHASSIS device, the other 12 volt outlet (passenger Right foot) is a HOUSE Device as are the ones I have added.

I have some plug in 12 volt volt meters... Plug one in to the dash outlet.

now.. If the outlet is live all the time you will get a reading.. Sitting there, not running the engine or plugged in you shoudl see 12.6 Volts

Engine running, does it quickly (As soon as you release the switch) increase: Likely a chassis device

does it wait 30 seconds, then increase (House device)

or.. Have partner flip breakers on pedestal to ON

Does it quickly increase (House) or wait 30 seconds (Chassis)

if it follows either of those patterns.. Engine charges house

IF it follows the Chassis pattern on both tests. House charges chassis

Definitive test
Hook volt meter to chassis battery one hour after plugging into shore power.. 12.6 NO 13.6 Yes the chassis is charged by the house.

NOTE: Batteries must be CONNECTED (on, USE) for these tests.

Woodchopper · 12-15-2016, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

You might wait and see if a forum moderator will move your post to the National Owners Forum page.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmw188

The small solar panel is probably toast for sure. Those glue down ones don't last long. As for as the rest of the info your looking for I would go over to the National owners forums and ask with a new post.

tmw188
??
This IS the National RV Owner's Forum.

tmw188 · 12-15-2016, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodchopper

tmw188
??
This IS the National RV Owner's Forum.

Yes I realized that refer to post#7. I've done this in the past especially if it's on my participated page, I just go to that page not realizing where it originated. Sorry for the confusion.

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chboone · 12-16-2016, 12:33 AM

Best thing to do is call RV Custom Products the manufacturer of the 12 V Battery Control Center (BCC). Ask for the documentation for your BCC they will email the valuable information. You will get 7 pages of information including the operation on the board and troubleshooting guide. It sounds like your interconnect relay may be bad. Very simple to replace. Your BCC is designed to charge your house and chassis batteries from the converter and charge the chassis and house batteries from the engine alternator. In the mean time I have attached the drawing of the BCC.

RV Custom Products
14000 Anson Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 921-8353