Community Forums

epj · 10-30-2016, 01:41 PM

05 Phaeton 40' diesel. We have been camped here for a couple of months without moving or starting the engine. Campground has been very crowded and didn't want to disturb neighbors. Anyway, went to relevel the coach, and the chassis batteries don't have enough juice to power up the dash. House batteries are fine. I'm sure I can get the engine started with the aux switch, but I guess I assumed the chassis batteries had their own charger. Do they? If so, where is it located?

mel s · 10-30-2016, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epj

05 Phaeton 40' diesel. We have been camped here for a couple of months without moving or starting the engine. Campground has been very crowded and didn't want to disturb neighbors. Anyway, went to relevel the coach, and the chassis batteries don't have enough juice to power up the dash. House batteries are fine. I'm sure I can get the engine started with the aux switch, but I guess I assumed the chassis batteries had their own charger. Do they? If so, where is it located?

epj
I don't know about your '05 Phaeton 40' diesel, but many motor homes do not charge the chassis battery, (or batteries), unless the engine is running...(just like your car and other motor vehicles with no house batteries).

Old-Biscuit · 10-30-2016, 04:06 PM

Sounds like you could use a 'BIRD' System (or yours isn't working)

Bi-directional Isolator Relay Delay
http://www.discoveryowners.com/bird.pdf

Melmoses · 10-30-2016, 06:25 PM

Chassis batteries on the older coaches like yours and mine are only charged when driving by the alternator. I installed an amp-l-start to keep them charged when parked. Also I had to replace my chassis batteries after 6 years so that would also be a consideration.

epj · 10-31-2016, 06:50 AM

Ok. Engine will not start with the aux switch, not even grunt. Batteries bad? Just need charging? Connections all seem good. How do I charge or jump start a 24v system? Neighbor has a pu with 24v system and has volunteered to help.

mel s · 10-31-2016, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epj

Ok. Engine will not start with the aux switch, not even grunt. Batteries bad? Just need charging? Connections all seem good. How do I charge or jump start a 24v system? Neighbor has a pu with 24v system and has volunteered to help.

epj
CAUTION.....WARNING
Your '05 Phaeton 40' diesel DOES NOT have a 24V system, (unless it was modified).
I doubt that your neighbors PU does either.

okcnewbie · 10-31-2016, 07:21 AM

Are you sure you're using the boost/aux correctly?

Slow down, take pictures.

Take some voltage readings.

Triker56 · 10-31-2016, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melmoses

Chassis batteries on the older coaches like yours and mine are only charged when driving by the alternator. I installed an amp-l-start to keep them charged when parked. Also I had to replace my chassis batteries after 6 years so that would also be a consideration.

My older 1999 Fleetwood Discovery has a OEM B.I.R.D system.

So some manufactures of older coaches did install a system that charges both chassis & house batteries from shore power, generator power or engine alternator.

epj · 10-31-2016, 07:56 AM

Well, after reading the manual some more, I had come to the conclusion that it wasn't actually 24v, just two big 12v in parallel. I'm thinking that one or more has a dead cell, since I can't get more than a whimper from the fully charged house batteries. Since I don't need to move the coach for a couple of weeks at least, I may try just using my small charger and see if the batteries will charge at all.

epj · 10-31-2016, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

epj
CAUTION.....WARNING
Your '05 Phaeton 40' diesel DOES NOT have a 24V system, (unless it was modified).
I doubt that your neighbors PU does either.

Correct on both counts. Thanks for try heads up.

epj · 11-01-2016, 09:04 AM

Charged the batteries over night with a small charger from home. This morning th Cat started right up. Gonna let her run 30-45 min and then see what it does in a day or two.

nothermark · 11-01-2016, 01:23 PM

Leave the small charger on it for a couple of days. Get yourself a Digital volt meter and learn how to check the charge level. Use the small charger to keep up the chassis batteries by running it for a day a week or whatever it takes to maintain their charge.

Old-Biscuit · 11-01-2016, 01:37 PM

Buy a battery hydrometer and after using portable charger test each battery cell 'specific gravity'

Bad cell will be obvious

BobGed · 11-01-2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epj

Charged the batteries over night with a small charger from home. This morning th Cat started right up. Gonna let her run 30-45 min and then see what it does in a day or two.

I realize it's too late now, but you actually do more harm to a diesel engine by just letting it idle, particularly if it's been sitting for a long time. You should take it out and drive it for a good 20 - 30 minutes to properly lubricate the engine and other moving parts.