Community Forums

46490 · 09-07-2016, 12:03 PM

When my RV is hooked to shore power and I have the coach and chassis batteries switches turned on, I seem to get a low battery warning on the DIC. What is the power drain coming from? I thought when you were hooked to shore power that your batteries were continuously being charged. I have turned off the chassis battery switch, waiting to see if that changes anything.

mel s · 09-07-2016, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46490

When my RV is hooked to shore power and I have the coach and chassis batteries switches turned on, I seem to get a low battery warning on the DIC. What is the power drain coming from? I thought when you were hooked to shore power that your batteries were continuously being charged. I have turned off the chassis battery switch, waiting to see if that changes anything.

46490
On many motor homes the chassis battery is only charged when the engine is running...exactly like the batteries in cars and trucks which have NO house batteries or on-board charging devices... (except an alternator).
Mel
'96 Safari

blang · 09-08-2016, 07:15 AM

I, too, was having this problem and a RV tech told me the inverter needs to be on to charge the chassis batteries. I don't really understand but I have now been leaving it on and it seems to help. I'm not saying this is the answer... just adding a tidbit to the conversation. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge will confirm or debunk.

2004 Damon Escaper 4194 on Freightliner chassis
Freedom 458 Inverter/Charger
Freedom Remote Panel with separate Charge and Inverter buttons.

dpinvidic · 09-08-2016, 07:24 AM

You need to get a voltmeter and measure the voltage on the batteries to answer that question.

Some coaches do not charge the chassis batteris when on shore power and some do.

Even if yours is supposed to, it might be broke.....so get out that volt meter.....

Dan

emiddleb · 09-08-2016, 07:44 AM

Chassis batteries are constantly drained by a variety of sources... engine/transmission computers, dash radios etc.

Other posters are correct in that on your model the chassis batteries do not charge when connected to shore power; only the house batteries are charging.

Easiest solution - get a Trik-L-Charger or similar product (now installed as standard on Winnebagos.) It bridges the batteries and keeps the chassis batteries charged from the house batteries as long as shore power is keeping them charged.

Dr4Film · 09-08-2016, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blang

RV tech told me the inverter needs to be on to charge the chassis batteries. I don't really understand but I have now been leaving it on and it seems to help. I'm not saying this is the answer... just adding a tidbit to the conversation. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge will confirm or debunk.

Bunk!

An inverter is used to power 120 VAC devices from your house battery. Your Chassis batteries are 12 VDC therefore you need 12 VDC power to charge your 12 VDC Chassis batteries.

You should have a device on board that converts 120 VAC to 12 VDC that is called a converter. That device will charge you House batteries and someties the Chassis batteries too IF the manufacturer has designed the circuit to do just that. Not all coaches are wired to charge both right from the factory.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

46490 · 09-08-2016, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

Bunk!

An inverter is used to power 120 VAC devices from your house battery. Your Chassis batteries are 12 VDC therefore you need 12 VDC power to charge your 12 VDC Chassis batteries.

You should have a device on board that converts 120 VAC to 12 VDC that is called a converter. That device will charge you House batteries and someties the Chassis batteries too IF the manufacturer has designed the circuit to do just that. Not all coaches are wired to charge both right from the factory.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

How do you tell if you have this device. I do have a solar panel, but I think it just keeps house batteries topped off.

emiddleb · 09-08-2016, 10:48 AM

A 2000 watt inverter/charger is standard on your coach, and an optional 2800 is installed if you have the French door residential fridge. The control panel is probably in your utility panel by the tank gauges etc.

Yes, the solar panel is just for a trickle charge to the house batteries.

46490 · 09-08-2016, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emiddleb

A 2000 watt inverter/charger is standard on your coach, and an optional 2800 is installed if you have the French door residential fridge. The control panel is probably in your utility panel by the tank gauges etc.

Yes, the solar panel is just for a trickle charge to the house batteries.

I do have a 2800 watt inverter - how does this and or what setting do I use to make the chassis batteries recharge and or hold a charge while on shore power?

mel s · 09-08-2016, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46490

I do have a 2800 watt inverter - how does this and or what setting do I use to make the chassis batteries recharge and or hold a charge while on shore power?

46490
I don't know about the 2014 Itasca Meridian 34B...but on many coaches an "accessory charging device" must be added if the owner wants the chassis battery(s) to charge with the on-board inverter/charger.
(Like a Trik-L-Start... an Echo Charger...etc.).
Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer
Battery Chargers | Auxiliary Battery Charger | Xantrex

Cat320 · 09-10-2016, 08:26 AM

All these coaches are different when it comes to what is charging what. FWIW, here's how mine work:

- When plugged into shore power. Coach batteries are charged. When that charge reaches 13.3, the coach batteries let the charge pass through and the chassis batteries are charged as long as the charge rate is 13.3 or higher.

- When driving. Chassis batteries are charged. When that charge reaches 13.3, the chassis batteries let the charge pass through to the coach batteries and they are charged as long as the charge rate is 13.3 or higher.

It might not make sense, but that's how it works.

Dr4Film · 09-10-2016, 08:58 AM

Mine works identical to yours BUT there are important devices used in the electrical system to make it work that way but it doesn't happen by magic.

Mine is probably different than others as sometime these coaches are like "snowflakes".

I have a Battery Maintainer, a BIRD (which is partially used), a Battery Maintainer Lock-Out Relay plus a Battery Isolator Relay ALL of which are used to keep the Chassis battery charged when on shore/generator power and the House batteries charged when the Cummins engine is running.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

ladagobago · 09-10-2016, 04:13 PM

Don't get confused by the answers given here or try to compare you systems to anyone else as they are different and many others may have customized their installations.
suggest you go to the website and study your system diagrams. it may be as simple as a loose connection to your (INVERTER/CHARGER SYSTEM).
http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...ire_183752.pdf
and here:
http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...ire_184894.pdf

It would appear the xantrex unit charges your batteries so check to make sure the ems remote is in the charge condition.
I am not very familiar with your particular MH but find these parasite discharges a real pain. I found the lamp under the steps to be a drain.