Coach battery not charging

[sevenmacs]

Looking for help as to why my MH doesn't charge coach batteries (chassis charges) by alternator. I've replaced large solenoid didn't solve problem. Can't locate a labeled fuse for charging system, very poor labeling by Fleetwood. Have fuses in power bay and under dash.

2006 Fleetwood Excursion on Spartan Chassis, Cat 350

[IASM]

What activates the solenoid? If you have a boost switch does it function and tie the batts together. On my coach the oil pressure switch had failed. My solenoid had power all the time and a ground was supplied either by the oil pressure switch or the dash switch to activate the solenoid or relay as its sometimes called. You should have two battery cables and two wires to activate the coil. 12 volts should be present at both batt cables and one coil terminal and ground at the other coil terminal. On mine the oil pressure switch did provide some connection just not enough so it passed continuity testing but failed to provide enough current. Hope this helps.

[Diane98]

I think most coaches in that Era do not charge the starting batteries, our is a 2005 itasca, & it doesn't charge them either. when we are parked at home or camping with hookups we hook up a battery tender to keep them charged. at home the battery tender we use is a dual bank so we can charge both chassis & coach we leave it connected sometimes for months at a time if not using the coach and in 10 years have never had a problem. check battery water occassionally.

[sevenmacs]

Boost switch does tie batteries together, it's a momentary contact switch and it works. Batteries used to charge before but recently stopped. I've checked all cables and wiring, that's why I was thinking fuse somewhere.

[IASM]

Since the boost works I would check the solenoid and confirm with a helper that the activation coil(the two small wires on the solenoid) are working with the boost. I would expect there to be 12volt at one wire which would confirm its not a fuse. Then check to see if you get 12 volts on the other wire(the ground) when the switch is activated. Then start the engine and see if the results are the same. I would expect there to be a simple oil pressure switch, about 10 bucks, that is failing. It is possible the solenoid is activated by the ignition but I would find it unlikely. I find testing these kind of circuits quicker with a simple 12volt test light found at auto parts stores . Have you tried to see if the solenoid would latch if you pressed the boost switch after starting the engine? Have you confirmed performance by checking the house bat voltage with engine off,engine on,engine on with boost switch?

[Big Dude]

I had the same issue and it turned out to be the BIRD relay which I believe controls the solenoid.

[Triker56]

Fleetwood unlike many other RV builders, has put a BIRD charging system in for many years. It is usually in the same compartment as the Inverter/charger & Fuse panel

My 99 has one in it built by Fleetwood over 17 years ago.

[sevenmacs]

Haven't tested voltage with boost on, but have used it to start Gen when coach batteries were low. Where would the oil pressure switch be ? I'll look for bird relay, not sure if I have one.

[Starsekr]

Here is a wiring diagram to a typical BIRD system: HTH
http://www.intellitec.com/assets/pdf...-01000-000.pdf

[sevenmacs]

Great, Thanks !