Aux Start & Charging issues

[ChpFish]

Hello,
On a 2005 Fleetwood Storm with the Ford V-10; While on shore power, the converter was also charging the "engine" battery. Put a blade switch on. With switch open(not connected) the engine will start without pressing the Auxiliary Start switch. There is a solenoid in the "Battery Control Center" at the top left corner. That solenoid is hot to the touch while connected to shore power. To add, when not on shore power, if the generator is started, stopped and off, with the blade still open on the engine battery, the ignition is without power until the Aux Start switch is pressed. A solenoid can be heard engaging. After a few starts & stops, the ignition will be 'hot' without pressing the Aux Start switch again....

I'm pretty sure the solenoid in the "Battery Control Center" box (located under the hood) needs to be changed.

Is there another switch or solenoid that involves the generator, whether the shore power is connected or not that may also be involved?

Of course when I had an RV repair person on site - the rig worked normally! I hate electrical gremlins...

Any suggestions or familiarity with this issue would be greatly appreciated.
My biggest &1st concern is the HOT solenoid!
Second concern is why is the circuit closed that combines the coach and engines batteries while charging from the converter?
Thank You

[RV Wizard]

Hello and We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy our website and forums. Good luck, stay safe and keep us posted.

[twinboat]

What you are describing seems normal.

The BIRD, an electronic voltage sensing relay, continuously looks for charging ( 13.5 ) voltage from either start or house batteries.

When plugged in or running the generator, the converter is charging the house batteries.

The BIRD senses this and closes the solenoid to attempt to charge the start battery, even though it's not connected, thru the knife switch.

The solenoid that the BIRD closes is also the solenoid that closes when you hit the boost switch. That is why you can start the engine from the house batteries.

If you pulled the shore power, after a short time, you would not be able to start the engine with the knife open.

My recomendation is to open the knife if storing without shore power but leave it closed when plugged in.

The solenoid staying warm seems normal, with the inexpensive designes they use.

If you can see the part number on it, look it up to insure that it is a continuous duty type. They fail often and are sometimes replaced with the more common short duty, start type.

Hope this helps.

[Gary RVRoamer]

While on shore power, the converter was also charging the "engine" battery.

It is supposed to do that. It's a feature, not a problem. Stop worrying so much and fixing things that aren't broken.

[ChpFish]

Thank Y'all for your insight - Back to RVing instead of worrying