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Old 09-08-2015, 03:05 PM   #1
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Alternator charging all batteries?

I wish I could find the thread, but ran across a posting recently that mentioned that the engine alternator does not charge the house batteries and never has. I So my newbie question is, does the engine alternator typically charge the house batteries on a Class A, both diesel and gas models or is that left up to shore power or generator thru a charger? I thought this was odd since the diesel engine alternator in my sailboat charges both the house and start batteries thru a combiner or battery select switch. Thanks!
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Old 09-08-2015, 03:16 PM   #2
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Every Class A that I have seen charges the chassis and coach batteries while the engine is running.
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Old 09-08-2015, 03:28 PM   #3
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Yes, your engine alternator does charge the house batteries. On our Discovery we once had a bad, corroded post between the engine alternator and the engine and house batteries. Both were suffering from low voltage as we traveled. A Cummins teck found the bad post, cleaned the post, and we then saw proper charging to the house and engine batteries. Used our coach electrical panel gauges to help solve this problem.
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Old 09-08-2015, 03:57 PM   #4
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"StephenW".......If everything is working as designed, both battery banks should be charging. The charging system looks at both banks and charges the lowest, alternating back and forth.

What you may have heard......many RV's, when plugged in, only charge the house bank. Many newer coaches have resolved that issue and charge both. On my last coach, I had to add a supplemental system to charge my chassis batteries when parked.
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Old 09-10-2015, 12:22 PM   #5
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Yes, as others have said, your engine alternator will charge both battery banks. There is a delay from when you start your engine and when the solenoid kicks in and starts charging. There is also a solenoid that ties in the coach batteries. It is possible that if that solenoid switch fails, the coach batteries will not get charged.
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