Stumbled on fix for intermittant battery issues

[tap4154]

For a while the aux start has been sporadic, the kwikee step not always functioning, and random solenoid clicking have occurred in my Tioga 28Y. Have been reading up more on the BIRD device (bi-directional relay delay) and opened the house battery compartment to check it out, though I had checked for loose connections in the past and didn't see any.

But this time I moved some wires while looking around and heard a solenoid clicking. I isolated it to a white wire labeled "iso rly" (isolation relay) connected from the BIRD device to a solenoid deep in the compartment. It was so loose that I wonder if it had ever been tightened! Is a bit tricky to access the 5/16" nut, but I used a long 1/4 extension (wrapped with electrical tape to prevent shorting connections above it) with a 5/16" socket and snugged it up. Should be fine now

I had the coach on shore power charging at the time (WFCO 3-stage converter) so apparently it wanted to engage the solenoid, but only could when the wire was wiggled. I think when I checked for loose connections before the coach wasn't plugged in, and this one you can't reach by hand

Just a FYI as a good place to look first if you're having similar issues.

[krivanj]

I love it when something works finally!

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by krivanj

I love it when something works finally!

Also nice when the fix is simple, and free

[MSHappyCampers]

Thanks for the heads-up!

[mobilemike]

Nice. AND!!!!!!!
Move that small#10wire terminal from under the main battery cable lug to the top of the lug under the nut. The smaller surface area of the #10 terminal creates space for moisture and corrosion. Plus the smaller contact area to the post creates a resistance to the main cable lug. There is a reason higher amperage lugs have more surface area. More contact patch for high amperage passage.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by mobilemike

Nice. AND!!!!!!!
Move that small#10wire terminal from under the main battery cable lug to the top of the lug under the nut. The smaller surface area of the #10 terminal creates space for moisture and corrosion. Plus the smaller contact area to the post creates a resistance to the main cable lug. There is a reason higher amperage lugs have more surface area. More contact patch for high amperage passage.

Good eye and good point. However the underneath surface is about the same size as the #10 ring terminal. Maybe they put that terminal underneath because the large lug would handle the teeth on the "kep" locking nut better? On a battery terminal, always put the smaller ring terminal on top, but maybe in this case they made the right choice? What do you think? I'm just a backyard mechanic, you're the pro.



Pic:

[tap4154]

Done and done. Surface underneath was shiny, but sprayed it anyway with cleaner.

[mobilemike]

I would have moved it like you did. Makes it easier to visually inspect the #10 terminal also.

Nice work.