Electrical - 99 Mountain Aire with F53 Chassis

[LUV2RV-MN]

Hi All,

We pulled into the North American Bear Center in Ely and yes, me parked and left the lights on. Also had the Generator running for the air conditioning for our 3 pugs while we were inside.

Came out, went to start the engine and nothing, nada, not even a click. Looked down and saw that I left the lights on. So, thinking I was smart, I hit the booster switch to get power from the coach batteries - nothing, nada, not even a click.

Remembered I actually threw jumper cables in so jumped the battery from our Toad and we were off and running.

1. Why did the Generator not charge the chassis batteries while I was sitting parked?
2. Why did the Booster switch not work? It just dawned on me that maybe the booster switch wouldn't work with the Generator on?

Any sharp electrical troubleshooting folks out there with more experience then I have with this year/coach/gas combination.

[John Hilley]

Your coach batteries should have been charged by the converter/charger with the generator on. The boost switch should work regardless of the generator running or not. The battery isolation solenoid which acts as the boost switch may be defective, if so the alternator may not be charging with the engine running. Your chassis battery shouldn't have been affected when the generator was running, but the fact that both the coach batteries and chassis batteries seemed to be down points to the engine alternator not putting out a charge.

[Richard S.]

Some of the booster switches must be held down for 15 /20 sec. before you try to start the engine.

["007"]

Your Gen would be supplying 12V through your converter charging your house batteries first than when they are fully charged would charge your engine battery.
Not knowing how clean your battery ground cables & Gen cable to the chassis frame plus your engine battery cable to frame whether all batteries concerned would be getting their full charge.
Here is a link to a charging system I believe you have on all Newmar coach's.
Your alternator will charge your engine battery than also your house batteries.
Read all links within links to get some information as to how things should be working for you.
I'd check all you battery system cables + & - and make sure everything is clean and tight inverter ground cable plus the Gen.

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" Your Gen would be supplying 12V through your converter charging your house batteries first than when they are fully charged would charge your engine battery. Not knowing how clean your battery ground cables & Gen cable to the chassis frame plus your engine battery cable to frame whether all batteries concerned would be getting their full charge. Here is a link to a charging system I believe you have on all Newmar coach's. Your alternator will charge your engine battery than also your house batteries. Read all links within links to get some information as to how things should be working for you. I'd check all you battery system cables + & - and make sure everything is clean and tight inverter ground cable plus the Gen.

My 01 Winn. did not charge the chassis battery through the converter.

["007"]

It will with a BIRD System.

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" It will with a BIRD System.

True but mine didn't have one and I suspect neither does the op.

[Luv2go]

Usually when the BIRD is not charging the chassis battery and the booster switch does not work the problem is with the booster/isolator relay. This is the relay connected to the BIRD that closes when the BIRD senses that the coach battery is being charged or vice versa. Newmar also connects the battery boost switch to this relay, just like in the wiring diagram in the manual 007 linked to in the post referred to above.

I have had to replace this relay twice, the second time with a larger one that could handle our load, which is larger than normal due to a large inverter.

With our Ford chassis the BIRD and relay is in a box above the radiator on the firewall. The box has a clear plexiglass cover, and contains the BIRD, the battery disconnect relay and the battery isolator relay along with some fuses. The isolator relay has a wire from the BIRD going to it, the disconnect relay does not.

Maybe Newmar was using something similar in '99? If so you can check to hear if the isolator relay is clicking with the booster switch and/or check the voltage across it with a meter. When the relay is supposed to be closed, you should see less that 0.1V across it.

The manual also has a good troubleshooting section in it.

[KIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clifftall True but mine didn't have one and I suspect neither does the op.

And I would agree that the OP's coach is probably not equipped with a BIRD system.
If you know how check the solenoid with the boost switch energized to be sure the solenoid is actually getting energized. Assuming it is being energized then check to make sure the relay contacts are actually making contact.......not just a solenoid "click" but actually making contact.

You may want to consider a Trik-L-Start to insure your chassis battery is being charged by your converter when on shore or gen power

[LUV2RV-MN]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I believe the engine alternator is charging correctly as I check the chassis and house voltage periodically and both are almost always identical. I will look for the BIRD in the morning. I got my new Banks Ram Air almost installed tonight until the Mosquitoes drove me back inside and it was too dark to finish that job. Will pick up on the troubleshooting in the morning and will check to see if I have a BIRD or not. I know I have the box with the plexiglass on the firewall.

[ga traveler]

You ran the chassis batteries down with headlights. The reason your emergency start switch did not work was because the solonoid switch was powered by the chassis batteries.
some manuf. wired them this way. Your house batteries were charged, you just couldn't close the solonoid because there was no power.