Chassis Battery Problem

[Glider114]

Buddy has a 2003 Magna and his chassis batteries are dead.

Two questions, does his coach have a charger for the chassis batteries. Since he’s not the original owner and we think the batteries have been changed, what chassis batteries came with the coach? Or, not breaking the bank, what would be the best set to put in?

[yzfyoung]

I have a 1998 Magna. The house batteries are charged by the inverter when plugged into shore power or when the generator is running and of course when the engine is running. The chassis batteries are normally only charged by the engine being operated. I believe this is normal for most models. I’ve had good luck with interstate batteries, make sure your using a deep cycle battery for the house.

[Glider114]

This is purely for the chassis batteries. Dos anyone know what the CCAs for the 2003 Magna? How many batteries are needed?

[2 Stroker]

The chassis batteries should be charged by an echo charger. There should be 2 inline fuses that can be burned out, I think they are 15A. Mine echo charger went south and I installed the Magnum Combiner a lot better system. It should be a small black box with a green light that tells you when it is working.
I can post some pics of both. Your coach may be different, don't know.

2 stroker

[Glider114]

Pictures and location would be awesome! I’ve been poking around and have read that the echo has been used, but wasn’t sure on this year Magna.

[2 Stroker]

Here is the Xantrex echo charger and the Magnum Combiner

[phays]

My 2000 Magna with CAT C-10 engine has two 8D 1000 CCA wet cell batteries for the chassis. The batteries are charged while plugged into shore power or running on generator by an Echo Charger. The Echo Charger is in the rear side passenger bay with the inverter.


It's obvious but the charger in the inverter has to be turned on for the Echo Charger (EC) to work. There are two inline fuses, one in the red wire and one in the red/yellow wire, going to the EC. A third black wire is connected to ground. When voltage to the EC is at least 13 volts it turns on and the LED will be lit green. If the voltage is less it turns off and LED blinks green. The output voltage is limited to 14.4 volts and the EC will go into float mode at that voltage.

[Glider114]

Awesome! Thank you everyone.

If the batteries are dead, and I know he doesn’t want to spend a fortune, what non AGM would be best to use? Will be looking at this today.

[Burfman]

Originally Posted by Glider_114

Awesome! Thank you everyone.

If the batteries are dead, and I know he doesn’t want to spend a fortune, what non AGM would be best to use? Will be looking at this today.

I have had our coach since 2002 and have used Deka batteries size 8D. They are wet cell but do not have the vented caps and require no service unless they are subjected to abnormal charging. Cost is about $200 each + / - maybe $20.00. IMHO a good battery and usually lasts for 5 to 6 years.

Full disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, battery manufacture......I'm an RVer

[CountryFit]

If we know what engine in it it''ll be easier.

[gsander1]

2003 Magna has the Cat C12. This engine requires two 8D or equivalent.

Two ordinary heavy duty starting batteries will do the trick.

[Glider114]

Originally Posted by gsander1

2003 Magna has the Cat C12. This engine requires two 8D or equivalent.

Two ordinary heavy duty starting batteries will do the trick.

Not sure what heavy duty means? I assume that they are 12v tied in parallel, but what would be a good CCA for the batteries? I’m not a battery expert I usually replace with what’s there, but my buddy does not want to spend a ton of dough on starting batteries. He doesn’t plan to move a lot.

[Smitty77]

Originally Posted by Glider_114

Not sure what heavy duty means? I assume that they are 12v tied in parallel, but what would be a good CCA for the batteries? I’m not a battery expert I usually replace with what’s there, but my buddy does not want to spend a ton of dough on starting batteries. He doesn’t plan to move a lot.

This would be an example of heavy duty (As opposed to a Marine 8D battery.):

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Deka-12-Vol...SABEgLe9PD_BwE

And, if Lowe's in your area can get these for that price - not bad at all! CCA between say 950-1100 should be more then adequate for the jog.

If the is keeping the coach a bit longer, and does not mine paying a bit more, the CAT 8D Starter Batter is very good quality, and is at 1500CCA.

https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/153-5720

Good luck on this project!

Smitty

[Glider114]

Originally Posted by Smitty77

This would be an example of heavy duty (As opposed to a Marine 8D battery.):

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Deka-12-Vol...SABEgLe9PD_BwE

And, if Lowe's in your area can get these for that price - not bad at all! CCA between say 950-1100 should be more then adequate for the jog.

If the is keeping the coach a bit longer, and does not mine paying a bit more, the CAT 8D Starter Batter is very good quality, and is at 1500CCA.

https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/153-5720

Good luck on this project!

Smitty

Thanks Smitty. Is it recommended to put two of the batteries in parallel or just one?