Battery problems on 2005 Revolution

okie-dokie · 11-28-2010, 06:41 PM

Chassis Battery problems. After approx. two weeks of camping, and hooked up to park electrical service, my chassis batterys are too low to start the motorhome. Chassis batterys are one year old. When I start the generator and engage the aux. start button, I still cannot start the engine. I have a small solar unit on the roof that I think is supposed to keep the chassis batterys charged.
2005 fleetwood-revolution
can anyone help ?

Monacoach · 11-28-2010, 07:36 PM

May not be a battery problem. Maybe bad ground on starter?

pcurt23 · 11-28-2010, 07:40 PM

When you are connected to shore power both battery banks are supposed to be charged. If the aux switch does not provide power to the starter then something else is wrong - I would look for a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. The first place to go is the owner's manual. Maybe check the genset breaker, and or the inverter breaker. Of course you can also call Fleetwood and they may have the real answer. Another thing to check is the battery state of charge that is next to the holding tank monitor. With shore power attached the battery state should be greater than 13V, if the charging system is working. You have to disconnect shore power and gen power to get the actual battery charge. I have included the scale below.
Battery Charge 14.2-14.6v Float 13.2-13.7v Full 12.6v 0.75 12.4v 0.5 12.2v Discharged 11.7v
pcurt

**Gary RVRoamer** · 11-28-2010, 07:41 PM

I suspect you have an Intellitec Battery Control Center in the Revolution, just like its American Coach cousins have. This device is well known for failing in a way that loses the ability to charge the chassis batteries while on shore power. A small component on the circuit board burns out. The BCC is no longer available, nor are repair parts, so you have to find somebody to rebuild it for you if you want to fix it. But it may well burn out again.

The easiest fix is to install a chassis battery maintainer such as the Xantrex Echo Charge or similar device to charge the chassis from the house batteries. Or install a simple trickle charger plugged into a 120v outlet - something like the Battery Tender Plus. Either of those will keep your chassis batteries charged while parked on shore power for extended periods.

okie-dokie · 11-30-2010, 08:47 AM

Thanks Gary, You were right. I do have a Intellitec battery control center. I am going to check the starter to see if it has a loose ground. Sometimes it does take a little longer than I think for it to start. Rather than change out the battery control center, I think I will install a small trickle charger to the chassis batteries. As far as the small solar charger on the roof, I suspect it of not working anyway. Thanks again to all who gave replies to my problem. Sending message from Good ole Southern California.

okie-dokie · 11-30-2010, 08:59 AM

Gary I also forgot to mention that in the past, I used to get a little electrical shock when I touched the door or any part of the motorhome. Lately I have not had that problem. I know that a electrical short is like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Anyone have any suggestions as to what to look for, etc.

Dirtbuster · 11-30-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okie-dokie

Chassis Battery problems. After approx. two weeks of camping, and hooked up to park electrical service, my chassis batterys are too low to start the motorhome. Chassis batterys are one year old. When I start the generator and engage the aux. start button, I still cannot start the engine. I have a small solar unit on the roof that I think is supposed to keep the chassis batterys charged.
2005 fleetwood-revolution
can anyone help ?

Is the engine turning over trying to crank, or nothing?

okie-dokie · 11-30-2010, 11:08 AM

Yes the engine is turning over. I seems to me that it just takes longer to start than normal starting judging from other starts from other diesel owners.

Tom&Marie · 11-30-2010, 07:12 PM

OKIE-DOKIE

Contact MARK BEST @M&M Audio reference any problems with the Intellitec System or the Battery Control Center..He engineered them and repairs them...419-965-2662....

okie-dokie · 12-01-2010, 10:02 AM

Thanks Tom, I will call Mark Best. This is the most amazing web site I have ever been on. I can't belive the amount of responses I have received in short time.

okie-dokie from southern California

loulong · 12-01-2010, 05:44 PM

okie-dokie, when you tried the aux start function (I think you said you even had the generator running) did you notice any additional assistance from the house batteries?

In other words, was the slow turning starter symptoms exactly the same with, or without, the aux start button held down?

If your answer to the above is yes, then your problem is most likely a defective aux start/charge solenoid. The solenoid is easily recognized as it will have a large battery cable from each set of batteries (chassis and house batteries) attached on either side of it. It will be mounted somewhere near the batteries or power compartment.

Try this site to print a PDF file of troubleshooting procedures and diagrams of your BCC.

okie-dokie · 12-03-2010, 07:21 AM

Loulong, when I try to start the engine with the aux start button depresed, I can't see a difference in the turn over of the engine.

loulong · 12-03-2010, 11:47 AM

As I said in my previous post, I think you simply have an Aux Start/Charge solenoid that is not making internal contact.

On GAS model Motor Homes, the solenoid would be inside the BCC Box, but on diesel models it is mounted externally because they require so much more current during engine starting. Yours is probably located where I suggested.

The trouble shooting procedures in the PDF file that I pointed you to should help determine if it's a fuse, circuit board or solenoid failure.

I'm not sure where previous posters got the information on the UN-availability of circuit boards, but there are sources available. If you determine your problem to be the circuit board, re-post and we will help find a replacement.