Charging chassis battery upgrade BIRD

[Ron Postma]

I just spoke with Mega Tech of Oregon. I have a 2005 Monarch SE and was looking for the BIRD (bi-directional charging) upgrade for my coach. It turns out they make the IRD (uni-directional charging) board that is in my coach. They said if your IRD board is mounted on the main circuit board in the drivers side front compartment and connects to the board with a 3 conductor short pig tail they make the board. They also have a upgrade board that converts your charging to bi-directional for $49.95. I ordered the board and will be installing it this week end. I will post pictures and a description of the install on this thread. You can contact Mega Tech at 1(888) 878-3969 and ask for Ron.

[Robin_M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Postma I will post pictures and a description of the install on this thread. You can contact Mega Tech at 1(888) 878-3969 and ask for Ron.

Ron,

Good deal! For clarification, what you are doing is not installing the Intellitic BIRD relay, but instead a new controller board, custom made for Monaco coaches, that will give you the same functionality. I would love to see a picture with the new board installed. I'll also be interested to find out where you connect those two extra blue wires that come out near the top of the new board (the ones that aren't on the original IRD board).

[Ron Postma]

Yes it is a custom board. Here is their response to my first email:

"If the charge control board on your coach is mounted directly on the power distribution board and is connected to the power distribution board via three short wires into a connector, then yes, we manufacture this board. We do indeed provide an upgraded unit that provides bi-directional charging. The new unit is a direct replacement for the original board but there are two additional "sense" wires that are to be connected to the chassis and house battery posts on the power distribution board. Our part number for the replacement card is MT960DC. It sells for $49.95 and comes with an instruction sheet to aid in installation."

I will post pictures.

[Robin_M]

Ah, that explains it. They would have to measure those voltages for the bi-directional function to work. Thanks.

[Ron Postma]

Well 30 min. later the BIRD control board is installed. The instructions were brief but precise. The hardest part was being on my knees under my slide out for the 30 min. I disconnected both the house and chassis batteries, and turned off the ac power to the coach. Removed the cover from the electrical circuit board and swapped the board. The new board looks identical except for two blue sense wires that hook up to the battery boost relay. I took pictures and will post them first of next week. When everything was done I reconnected both AC and DC power and I now am charging both the chassis and house batteries. Best $49.95 I have ever spent now I have peace of mind about being able to keep the chassis battery charged. Now I can toss the popsicle stick I use to use to keep the battery boost switch closed!!!

[Kenbob]

I installed the Mega Tech upgrade board 2 days ago. Easy install. Besides the plug connection, there are two blue wires that connect to non-switched chassis batteries and house batteries. You will receive installation guide if something is in question. About a 15 minute fix. Thanks to Mega Tech for getting us on the right track.... I have some pictures of the new board and after installation, but haven't figured how to upload yet.. I have a 2006 Holiday Rambler Endeavor. I need electrical drawings. I received an email from Monico saying that they had none for the Endeavor. I wonder how they built the coach? Perhaps Diplomat drawings will work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Postma I just spoke with Mega Tech of Oregon. I have a 2005 Monarch SE and was looking for the BIRD (bi-directional charging) upgrade for my coach. It turns out they make the IRD (uni-directional charging) board that is in my coach. They said if your IRD board is mounted on the main circuit board in the drivers side front compartment and connects to the board with a 3 conductor short pig tail they make the board. They also have a upgrade board that converts your charging to bi-directional for $49.95. I ordered the board and will be installing it this week end. I will post pictures and a description of the install on this thread. You can contact Mega Tech at 1(888) 878-3969 and ask for Ron.

[Robin_M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenbob I have a 2006 Holiday Rambler Endeavor. I need electrical drawings. I received an email from Monaco saying that they had none for the Endeavor. I wonder how they built the coach? Perhaps Diplomat drawings will work.

Diplomat drawings will be identical and in fact will be labeled, "HR". Problem is that last model year they published them for the Dip/Endeavor was 2005. You might call Monaco parts to see if they have any 2005 electrical drawing books left. Your coach will not be much different, if at all.

If they don't, suggest you start a new thread titled "Need 06 Endeavor Elec Drawings". Several folks on this forum have them in digital format. Most came from generous tech reps who spent time compiling them for customers. It'd be hard to get anyone at Monaco to do that now, I'd think.

[Kenbob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin_M Diplomat drawings will be identical and in fact will be labeled, "HR". Problem is that last model year they published them for the Dip/Endeavor was 2005. You might call Monaco parts to see if they have any 2005 electrical drawing books left. Your coach will not be much different, if at all. If they don't, suggest you start a new thread titled "Need 06 Endeavor Elec Drawings". Several folks on this forum have them in digital format. Most came from generous tech reps who spent time compiling them for customers. It'd be hard to get anyone at Monaco to do that now, I'd think.

Thanks Robin. I appreciate your feedback.

[iceit]

Is there a difference between the Intellitec BIRD and Mega Tech of Oregon's BIRD unit? Sound like they both function in the same way.

[Ron Postma]

To the best of my knowledge they function the same. My coach had the Mega Tech IRD so their BIRD was a direct drop in replacement. I would call Mega Tech and ask them.

[Robin_M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceit Is there a difference between the Intellitec BIRD and Mega Tech of Oregon's BIRD unit? Sound like they both function in the same way.

When I was growing up there was a neighbor kid who's dad worked for Scott Paper Company. I once said that his dad made Kleenex. He became infuriated. He emphatically let me know that Scott tissue was NOT Kleenex. In my opinion, it was a moot point. When you needed to blow your nose, either got the job done.

For years Monaco has included the Intellitec BIRD module in higher end coaches. Before that they used another module (similar in functionality to the the echo~charge), but that company went out of business. When they started to get complaints from Dip/Endeavor (and below) customers that they also wanted a module that would allow their chassis batteries to charge while parked, Monaco had Mega Tech of Oregon design a module that would directly plug into the board in the front run bay. That was a logical choice as Mega Tech was already suppling the original modules for those coaches (as well as the main house distribution board that the module was attached to). Apparently, both get the job done equally well.

Also see this recent post from David, an MTO rep.

I'd be interested to know if Monaco started installing the new Mega Tech bi-directional module in the 2009 Dips and Endeavors? Does anyone have a 2009 coach and know the answer to that question?

[Sixpack98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenbob I installed the Mega Tech upgrade board 2 days ago. Easy install. Besides the plug connection, there are two blue wires that connect to non-switched chassis batteries and house batteries. You will receive installation guide if something is in question. About a 15 minute fix. Thanks to Mega Tech for getting us on the right track.... I have some pictures of the new board and after installation, but haven't figured how to upload yet.. I have a 2006 Holiday Rambler Endeavor. I need electrical drawings. I received an email from Monico saying that they had none for the Endeavor. I wonder how they built the coach? Perhaps Diplomat drawings will work.

Kenbob,
As Robin noted the electrical is the same for the Dip and End. If you still need the '06 wiring diagram for the Dip/End I can supply them. PM me if you need them. They are also available on Monacoers on Yahoo Groups.

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