Batteries going dead even when on shore power

[macnanday]

I have a 2004 Allure. I park it in an RV lot with 30 amp service. Since it's been cool, I've left the heater running around 72° so nothing freezes. Anyhow, the last couple times I went to fire up the big engine I had to tie in the house batteries to get it to turn over (not dead, but really weak). Yesterday I went to do my monthly exercise drive and the engine batt was totally dead. Almost didn't start even tied into house batteries with gen running but managed to get to started.

So, my question is, don't the batteries charge when on shore power? Or should I add a trickle charger? Possibly worn out batteries? They still have a couple years left on service warranty and the water level seems OK.

Thanks in advance!

[mike brez]

Mine is older but while plugged in my starting batteries do not charge so I installed one of these Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer

[Smitty77]

You should open up the area where the inverter/charger are located, and reset the devices. If I remember right, their is a reset button on the back, that is not obvious to see.

Also if I remember right (say that, as we have changed to a MS2812 Magnum), the house batteries are charged first, then charge power is sent to the chassis battery.

And as you mentioned, you could just have a dead chassis battery. How old is it? Are the terminals clean? Etc.

Best of luck to you, and please close the loop back and let us know what you find out.
Smitty
04 Allure

[nothermark]

I have no idea whether or not your unit should charge the engine batteries when on shore power. My point is that it is not doing it. The easy out for you now is to put a small charger like 6-10 A on the battery and plug it into the house AC as long as the house is plugged in. That will take a few days to recharge your engine batteries and will not cook them in the process. While that is going on get a float charger to replace the small battery charger and use that to maintain until the weather gets warm and you can figure it out. In the mean time you can try to find out how the system works so you can trouble shoot it later.

Slow charging like that will not hurt your batteries and will not cook them if you do not get back to them within a day or two. A high current charger will do them faster but can also overheat and damage them. As long as you are not going anywhere why push it?

[dons2346]

The chassis battery will not charge unless your Echo charger is working and is seeing 13 volts on your chassis batteries. Also, your chassis and house battery switches have to be in the on position. The charger is located in your battery bay, Here is the manual, it tells you how to troubleshoot it. http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A86.J...qNirruBJ7SFNQ-

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by dons2346

The chassis battery will not charge unless your Echo charger is working and is seeing 13 volts on your. HOUSE. batteries. Also, your chassis and house battery switches have to be in the on position. The charger is located in your battery bay, Here is the manual, it tells you how to troubleshoot it. http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A86.J...qNirruBJ7SFNQ-

I'm sure you meant to say HOUSE

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I'm sure you meant to say HOUSE

Picky,picky

[barclay7568]

Originally Posted by macnanday

I have a 2004 Allure. I park it in an RV lot with 30 amp service. Since it's been cool, I've left the heater running around 72° so nothing freezes. Anyhow, the last couple times I went to fire up the big engine I had to tie in the house batteries to get it to turn over (not dead, but really weak). Yesterday I went to do my monthly exercise drive and the engine batt was totally dead. Almost didn't start even tied into house batteries with gen running but managed to get to started.

So, my question is, don't the batteries charge when on shore power? Or should I add a trickle charger? Possibly worn out batteries? They still have a couple years left on service warranty and the water level seems OK.

Thanks in advance!

If your 40 footer is the same as my 36 footer, 2004 Allure, #30997, you can start by going to the battery bay. Directly above the batteries is another enclosed compartment containing the inverter. Open the inspection panel for this compartment and there you can see the inline fuses with 4/0 wire from the battery to the inverter. Directly above the inline fuses on my coach is the Echo charger, mounted to the ceiling. If memory serves me correctly, the electrical lines from the Echo charger have two inline fuses that are visible directly below the Echo charger and above the 4/0 wires to the inverter. Also, with the rig plugged in, there are mode lights on the Echo charger which you should be able to see to determine if power is getting to the Echo charger. That should be your starting point. Do you have manuals for the rig?

[macnanday]

Thanks guys, all great information I need to know. I'll be looking at things this weekend and will report back. Was thinking for the time being I'll put a battery tender on the chassis battery. That should help for right now.

[macnanday]

Originally Posted by Smitty77

...we have changed to a MS2812 Magnum

Hey Smitty, what was the reason for doing that? I have looked at that inverter and I like the fact it will produce a pure sine wave. But, was told by changing the inverter you lose all the controls up in the cabin, etc.


Ya know, now that I think about it, I've had the inverter off for the last month or so. I wonder if that will stop the battery from charging. ??

[Old Dinghy]

Originally Posted by macnanday

Thanks guys, all great information I need to know. I'll be looking at things this weekend and will report back. Was thinking for the time being I'll put a battery tender on the chassis battery. That should help for right now.

Just replaced the 12 year old chassis battery that has had a $30 Battery Tender Junior float charger on it every minute that coach is parked with power available. Obviously I support your plan to do the same thing with your new battery. Assuming the echo charger is doing a good job can be very costly and frustrating. My original battery died early because of that trust. Good luck and safe travels.

[birdhunter]

Sounds like a bad Echo charger or bad chassis batteries. Assuming your house batteries are charging, these are the most likely causes.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Originally Posted by macnanday

Ya know, now that I think about it, I've had the inverter off for the last month or so. I wonder if that will stop the battery from charging. ??

macnanday-

Hmm... Is the inverter the only battery charging source in your coach?

[nothermark]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

macnanday-

Hmm... Is the inverter the only battery charging source in your coach?

It is if it's a combination unit.