Community Forums

Joedarock · 01-28-2019, 08:09 AM

I purchased this unit used and the manual doesn't seem to address this topic:

Should the engine alternator charge the house battery while driving? If it should and it isn't, is there a component (isolator, etc) I should be looking for as the cause? Where is the component?

Thanks Guys

bborc · 01-28-2019, 02:56 PM

I have a 07 Knight and it charges the house batt from the alt when running. I had to replace the large solenoid on the back wall of the batt compartment. If you get one make sure it has the silver contacts.

xydial · 01-28-2019, 08:04 PM

Your coach is the same as mine and you have a Tombetta solenoid located in the battery compartment. This is controlled by an IRD circuit that bridges the chassis and house batteries only when the chassis batteries are fully charged.

The solenoid can also be engaged by depressing the "battery boost" switch. You can test the solenoid by pinning the boost stitch up and checking the voltage on both sides of the solenoid. If they read the same it is engaging.

The Tombetta solenoid is infamous for corroding the contacts. Mine failed at 9 years. Replaced it with a solenoid that has silver contacts and have had no trouble since then.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Good Luck