About to replace my second BIRD

[David T.]

I have a 2015 33.3 that will turn 2 years in October and the BIRD needs to be replaced for the second time. Is there something else out there other than the Intellitec 00-00362-100 that can facilitate the house batteries being charged by the engine?

[myarmar]

David, the alternative solution is here:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f281/char...ml#post3230211
Mike

[dennis45]

Mine has been in operation since 2003 without fail. Not sure if there is anything that would top that. Are you sure you don't have a wiring issue causing your problem? Not normal.

[YC1]

How did you diagnose it? Are you sure it isn't the solenoid it controls?

[David T.]

Originally Posted by YC1

How did you diagnose it? Are you sure it isn't the solenoid it controls?

I used this from their website. It was the same issue as the last time.

BI-DIRECTIONAL ISOLATOR RELAY DELAY Date datasheet created:
16/05/2013
Problem
Possible
Cause/Solution
Coach battery not charging from engine.
Chassis battery drains into coach
Isolatorrelay "clicking" on and off.
Check for open circuit breaker to coach battery.
With engine running, chassis voltage must be above
13.5 volts. If less than 13.1 volts, check vehicles
charging system.
Check ground on module.
Check for voltage on coil of isolator relay after engine
has been running for at least 20 seconds. Voltage
should be approximately 12 Volts. If no voltage,
replace BIRD.
If 12 volts is applied to isolator relay coil, check for
voltage drop across the isolator relay contacts. If the
drop is greater than 0.2 volts,replace relay.
Check for ignition voltage on module with ignition off.
Should be 0 volts. If not check wiring.
Check for continuity across the isolator relay
contacts, the relay should be open with no voltage
applied to coil.
Battery voltage falling below 12.8 when plugged in or
12.6 when engine is running. This is normal with
heavy loads orlow batteries.
Problem
Possible
Cause/Solution
Coach battery not charging from engine.
Chassis battery drains into coach
Isolatorrelay "clicking" on and off.
Check for open circuit breaker to coach battery.
With engine running, chassis voltage must be above
13.5 volts. If less than 13.1 volts, check vehicles
charging system.
Check ground on module.
Check for voltage on coil of isolator relay after engine
has been running for at least 20 seconds. Voltage
should be approximately 12 Volts. If no voltage,
replace BIRD.
If 12 volts is applied to isolator relay coil, check for
voltage drop across the isolator relay contacts. If the
drop is greater than 0.2 volts,replace relay.
Check for ignition voltage on module with ignition off.
Should be 0 volts. If not check wiring.
Check for continuity across the isolator relay
contacts, the relay should be open with no voltage
applied to coil.
Battery voltage falling below 12.8 when plugged in or
12.6 when engine is running. This is normal with
heavy loads orlow batteries.

[wolfcreek]

Originally Posted by David T.

I have a 2015 33.3 that will turn 2 years in October and the BIRD needs to be replaced for the second time. Is there something else out there other than the Intellitec 00-00362-100 that can facilitate the house batteries being charged by the engine?

They (Wakarusa) replaced the Bird in mine a couple month ago. Thought that would
fix the 'overcurrent' issue with inverter, it did not. They will fix at my next visit....I like to invert fridge going down the road and cannot.

[YC1]

Excellent information David. Which fault are you having?

There are several excellent devices that can replace the existing system but yours is a tried and true system that is easy to diagnose and has worked for thousands of rvers. Yes sometimes you can get a bum part but you could put in another device only to have it fail. The existing device takes into account that you might be running the generator and driving at the same time. Under those conditions the battery banks are isolated by that device.

Make sure your battery terminals and all connections that you can find are tight and clean. If the little box is getting less voltage than it should all bets are off.

Be sure your batteries are well maintained by checking the water monthly and the voltage across them is correct.