Battery Charging w/ B.I.R.D. for a 09 Cayman NEED PRO advice!

[recaffey]

I'm a new to me owner of a 2009 Cayman equipped with 4 house batterys a B.I.R.D. and a 45watt roof top solar panel;

I have read many of the posts regarding battery charging when dry camping and am unsure if I can apply what I've read about the "higher line models" to my unit or trust the info in the "generic manual".

My questions;

1. My OM says that the coach is equipped with a B.I.R.D. and that both batterys are being charged from shore/gen/Solar; Is that correct for my lower end coach?

2. The manual is silent on which battery bank starts the Onan 8KW generator,
which is it?
3. Is the boost switch effective when starting the generator?
4. Should I install a TRIK-L-Start unit as a back-up?
P.S. I called Monaco Tech twice and was told conflicting info.

[YC1]

Go to your battery compartment during the day and find the BIRD relay that is mounted in the back. You can identify it by chasing the large wires from each bank of batteries. They come together on that solenoid. Carefully place your finger, do not grab the solenoid, because it can be very hot. If it is hot or very warm it is pulled in and working. At night it will be cold unless plugged into shoreline, generator running, or engine running. The other way is to measure the voltage on each bank of batteries with one of the sources of charging running. The voltage should be the same.

I don't remember which battery bank runs the generator on my 08 HR Endeavor.

I would not install anything else to charge the batteries unless your Cayman does not work as described.

The boost switch brings all the batteries together via that BIRD relay. If you have enough energy in one bank to start the generator you should be able to get it started with the boost switch.

It is not a bad idea to start the generator and let the batteries charge for 30 minutes or so if you have been parked without hookups or bright sun. My manual recommeds running the generator to charge the batteries because a large bank of batteries can put a huge strain on an alternator.

[itdave]

Generally Monaco has the generator start off the house batteries. You could double check that by putting a VOM across the House batteries and having someone press the generator start while you watch the meter. You should see a voltage drop on the meter while the generator is starting.

[recaffey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1 Go to your battery compartment during the day and find the BIRD relay that is mounted in the back. You can identify it by chasing the large wires from each bank of batteries. They come together on that solenoid. Carefully place your finger, do not grab the solenoid, because it can be very hot. If it is hot or very warm it is pulled in and working. At night it will be cold unless plugged into shoreline, generator running, or engine running. The other way is to measure the voltage on each bank of batteries with one of the sources of charging running. The voltage should be the same. I don't remember which battery bank runs the generator on my 08 HR Endeavor. I would not install anything else to charge the batteries unless your Cayman does not work as described. The boost switch brings all the batteries together via that BIRD relay. If you have enough energy in one bank to start the generator you should be able to get it started with the boost switch. It is not a bad idea to start the generator and let the batteries charge for 30 minutes or so if you have been parked without hookups or bright sun. My manual recommeds running the generator to charge the batteries because a large bank of batteries can put a huge strain on an alternator.

YC1 are you referring to the Trombetta solinoid mounted on the back wall of my battery bay; my manual indicates my BIRD is located forward in the roadside 12v fuse bay?

[itdave]

Bob,
The BIRD control board that energizes the relay is in the forward roadside 12v bay but the relay it is in the bay with the batteries.

[YC1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by recaffey YC1 are you referring to the Trombetta solinoid mounted on the back wall of my battery bay; my manual indicates my BIRD is located forward in the roadside 12v fuse bay?

Yes that is the relay that the BIRD controls via the purple wire. The Bird is in the front run bay as you suggest.

[YC1]

I will add that the trombetta relay is a know faulty item. Mine was bad from day one. After changing it I opened the old one and found it green inside. I cleaned it up and put it back together to save as a spare. Many others have found theirs defective as well and have purchased the silver coated contact ones.

[recaffey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1 I will add that the trombetta relay is a know faulty item. Mine was bad from day one. After changing it I opened the old one and found it green inside. I cleaned it up and put it back together to save as a spare. Many others have found theirs defective as well and have purchased the silver coated contact ones.

Thank You. Can you provide me with the source and part # of the solenoid with silver contacts?

[bullydogs1]

I purchased mine from MURCAL at $40 and the number is 14-020...just google trombetta relays...it's out there...

[recaffey]

Thanks to all for the great info