Battery boost not working

[Den]

Hi all, Happy New Year,

I have aproblem with the battery boost on my RV, i have a Holiday Rambler Ambassador 2000 model, my coach batteries go flat after leaving the RV laid up for a month or so, i try using the battery boost but nothing happens, could it be a relay of some sort?

Thanks
Den

[GaryKD]

Hi Den,
The battery boost joins the coach and chassis (engine) batteries. It is usually used to help start the engine. I'm not sure how you are using the boost. If your coach batteries are dead, what is it you expect from the boost switch.

If a coach is in storage for a month or more (no 120 VAC available), the batteries will self discharge. The amount of discharge is based on many factors. Condition of the batteries (age, water, state of charge when stored, etc.), parasitic drain from coach components (LP gas detector, inverter, auto step retract, TVs, clocks, etc.) can contribute to the drain.

Consider checking the water level, giving the batteries a full charge using a portable charge and then taking them to your local auto parts store. They can put the batteries under load and tell you their operational condition.

[Rex]

Check in the front run bay under the drivers window. There should be a fuse there that controls the Aux Start and TV amp. On my 2001 Diplomat it fuse #7 and is a 7.5-amp.

[Den]

Hi Gary,
Sorry i dont think i explained my self, it is the chassis battery battery's that go dead after a while, i am useing the boost switch to jump start from the coach batteries to start the Rv, they are new batteries on the RV i replaced them when i exported the RV to England which was only 18 months ago.
Thank you for your response.
Den

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD Hi Den, The battery boost joins the coach and chassis (engine) batteries. It is usually used to help start the engine. I'm not sure how you are using the boost. If your coach batteries are dead, what is it you expect from the boost switch. If a coach is in storage for a month or more (no 120 VAC available), the batteries will self discharge. The amount of discharge is based on many factors. Condition of the batteries (age, water, state of charge when stored, etc.), parasitic drain from coach components (LP gas detector, inverter, auto step retract, TVs, clocks, etc.) can contribute to the drain. Consider checking the water level, giving the batteries a full charge using a portable charge and then taking them to your local auto parts store. They can put the batteries under load and tell you their operational condition.

[Den]

Hi Rex thank you i will check this out tomorrow.

Thanks Den

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Check in the front run bay under the drivers window. There should be a fuse there that controls the Aux Start and TV amp. On my 2001 Diplomat it fuse #7 and is a 7.5-amp.

[Jim Stewart]

Some RVs have a charger that charges both the House and Chassis batteries when plugged into shore power. Some only charge the House side when plugged into shore power. Some have a solar panel to charge both House and Chassis batteries. Some have solar panels to only charge the Chassis batteries.

You need to know your configuration to determine where to start.

1. If the charger only charges the house batteries while stored or even in use but not driven (while camping), then the phantom drain from electronics can run the Chassis batteries down. In that case you can add something like a Trik-L-Start that connects the House to Chassis batteries and when the House side is charged, it will trickle over to the Chassis side and charge them. That's what I have done on mine.

2. If your MH already has such a system, it could be bad.

3. If you have a solar panel on the roof to charge the Chassis batteries while stored or camping, the solar panel could be bad or the controller for the solar panel could be bad.

Let us know what you have!

[Den]

Hi Jim, we have no solar panels, the only charging of the chassis battey is by the alternator when being driven, i like the sound of the trik-l-start, i will buy one of those. i am going to check out the fuse in the front bay for the boost button as well.

Thank you all for your help
Den