Monaco Diplomat Battery Charging Question

[Hansville]

Hello,
I am the new owner of an 04 Diplomat and would like to ask the experts a battery charging question. I realize there are two sets of batteries, chassis and house sets. When driving down the road does the engines alternator charge both sets of batteries or only the chassis related batteries? When the generator is running does it charge both sets of batteries or only the house related batteries? Are there two seperate and independant charging systems? I am just trying to get a better understanding of how the electrical system works. Thanks.

[Dutch Star Don]

Hansville....As your coach rolled out of the factory, it charged both sets of batteries while the engine was running. When the generator is running or you're on shore power, only the house batteries are charging.

One of the problems that many experienced on your year coach was the chassis batteries would go dead after a week or so because of the parasitic draw from engine computers, radios etc.

Most of us have added this product http://www.rvupgradestore.com/index....S&Category=276 to charge our chassis batteries when the generator is running or you're on shore power. It basically jumps the house batteries to the chassis batteries while they're being charged and keeps both sets charged,

If you didn't buy this coach new and have not had problems with your chassis batteries going dead, you probably have a Trik-L-Start already installed on your coach. Most likely in the battery bay.

The newer coaches had a built in system called a BIRD.

[Hansville]

Thanks Don, I am not the original owner of the coach and have been storing it for a while with the two big circuit breakers (red knobs in the battery compartment) for the batteries turned off and have not had a dead battery. I am really not certain if the trickle charger was installed by the previous owner. I am now getting ready to take it out full time in about three weeks. Do you think it would be a good idea to simply turn off the breaker for the chassis batteries while hooked up at a campsite? That may cut off the chassis battery drain problem.

[walt2137]

[qu Do you think it would be a good idea to simply turn off the breaker for the chassis batteries while hooked up at a campsite? That may cut off the chassis battery drain problem.[/quote]

No I would not do that, it would take a few days for it to get too low to start the engine and you have a battery boost switch on the left console that ties the house and chassis batt together. If you would check in the battery compartment for the chassis charger it will probaly be one of three brands, Trik-L-Start, Xantrex Echo charger or a Lambert. I have never cut off my coach batteries when at home in the shed but always keep it plugged to 30 or 50A service.

Walt 2000 Dyn

[Dutch Star Don]

Hansville....I would add the Trik-L-Start no matter what if you don't have one. It will keep your starting batteries topped off. They are VERY easy to install. It only takes a few minutes.

[Hansville]

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

Hansville....I would add the Trik-L-Start no matter what if you don't have one. It will keep your starting batteries topped off. They are VERY easy to install. It only takes a few minutes.

Thanks for the great advice and web site, just ordered the Trik-L-Start to keep the chassis batteries fully charged.

[CLarence39]

Having a similar problem with my 2008 Camelot Monaco - I do not keep my coach plugged in at my storage building but I turn off the two cut off switches. Regardless when I return to my coach, I have to boost in order to start the generator. I am tired of this mess and have ordered one to install. Thanks for the info Clarence

[ahicks]

Originally Posted by Hansville

Thanks Don, I am not the original owner of the coach and have been storing it for a while with the two big circuit breakers (red knobs in the battery compartment) for the batteries turned off and have not had a dead battery. I am really not certain if the trickle charger was installed by the previous owner. I am now getting ready to take it out full time in about three weeks. Do you think it would be a good idea to simply turn off the breaker for the chassis batteries while hooked up at a campsite? That may cut off the chassis battery drain problem.

Just an idea, but why not wait and see if you have a problem using it as is? You have the boost switch to get you out of any kind of jam that might be caused by having a low set of starting batteries. Use that, THEN address the problem when/if you need to? If not wanting to deal with this problem on the road, check it now while it's still in storage? Hate fixing stuff unless I'm sure it's broke...

[Dutch Star Don]

Clarence39.......the addition of a Trick-L-Start or Xantrex device will not help the issue you're describing. The above units only work when you're plugged in or running the generator. The units then jump power over to the starting batteries to charge them.

[CLarence39]

Will the battery problem be solved if I start plugging into 110v while at my storage? I have not read anywhere in my Monaco book that says the coach should always be plugged into 110 when not in use. Your help is appreciated - Thanks Clarence

[Robi.1014]

Clarence,
When you turn the battery cut-off switches, this does not shut-off (or disconnect) the Inverter. The inverter's very-large cables are attached directly to the house battery bank. So when in storage, make sure the Inverter is off. Accomplish this via the control panel in your rig.

With the Inverter OFF and the cut-off switches opened, you should not be having a house battery-bank drain.....unless:
1) Someone has performed a modification....and this is the drain-path, or
2) You've got a bad house battery somewhere within the bank.

[CLarence39]

Robi.1069 - How can I check to be sure that my inverter is turned off? After your comment I Think this may be the problem. Thanks Clarence

[Robi.1014]

First Clarence, our apologies to Hansville for hi-jacking his thread. Having said that, we need the mfg name of your Inverter. Then another Camelot owner (same year, ideally) can give you exact guidance.

[Dutch Star Don]

Clarence39.....Just for info, my coach is plugged in 24/7 when its at home. No problem after 7 years.