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12-25-2008, 01:04 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Gales Ferry Connecticut
Posts: 723
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I was told recently that a friend of mine uses the boost switch on the dash of his motorhome to charge his chasis battery. He wedges the boost switch to on and leaves it that way for a couple of days a month while plugged into shore power. Anyone have thoughts pro or con on this?
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Tom & Carol - ToBi Our Chocolate Lab
2008 Monaco Monarch 30SFS
2008 Chevy Colorado
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12-25-2008, 01:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 6,933
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Hi TTT1953,
The answer would depend on the coach and the components installed in that circuit. I know for my coach it is not recommended. The relay is not made to be engaged for long periods of time and will fail. I have known others with my brand of coach and this has happened to them. Because you have a 2008, consider calling Monaco and see what they say.
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Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910,
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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12-25-2008, 04:38 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Ontario
Posts: 917
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Tom and Carol
Are you sure that your convertor doesnt charge your chassis battery? I have a 2006 and both batteries are charged while on shore power.
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HR Cummins 340
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12-25-2008, 07:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Gales Ferry Connecticut
Posts: 723
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My manual says it charges both. I keep the motorhome plugged in to shore power all the time. I check the battery water levels once a month and I take it for about a 20 mile ride once a month, provided it's not snowed in. Last week I went out to start it after 3 weeks and the chasis battery was to weak to turn the engine over. I used the boost and got it running. I'm wondering if something isn't connected?
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Tom & Carol - ToBi Our Chocolate Lab
2008 Monaco Monarch 30SFS
2008 Chevy Colorado
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12-25-2008, 08:10 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,253
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When you're connected to shore power, use a voltmeter and check the voltage at the batteries, it should be 13+ volts if the converter is working properly.
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Jim & SherrySeward
2000 Residency 3790 v10 w/tags
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12-26-2008, 09:10 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Gales Ferry Connecticut
Posts: 723
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With the MH plugged in,I just read the voltages with a digital voltmeter. The house batteries read 13.1 volts, that's good. The chasis battery read 11.1 volts, not so good. The chasis battery disconnect switch is on. The owners manual has conflicting statements. It says the converter (IntelliPower 60 amp), charges the house batteries (2 6 volts), but does not mention the chasis battery at all. Under the chasis battery section it says "to prevent a dead battery leave the chasis battery disconnect switch turned on."
My next step is to call the dealer and get his input. They have been very helpful with the few problems I've had so far. They are closed until next week.
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Tom & Carol - ToBi Our Chocolate Lab
2008 Monaco Monarch 30SFS
2008 Chevy Colorado
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12-26-2008, 04:46 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Solon, Ohio USA
Posts: 374
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On my 06 Winnebago Journey, I believe that the converter only charges the house batteries. Holding or wedging the Momentary Switch will cross connect them and allow the converter to charge both batteries.
However, you are continuously powering the Mom. relay. You may overheat and burn out the relay coil. You have to check with your motorhome manufacturer to see if that may be the case. The amount of current that you'd draw through the relay contacts shouldn't be an issue, but I'd check to see if the relay is rated for continuous duty.
W8RLM - Bob
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2006 Winnebago Journey, Model 39K, 2008 Jeep Liberty, M & G Toad Braking System
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12-26-2008, 05:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Southwick, Mass 01077 / Silver Springs, FL 34488
Posts: 465
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Tom, go to the power house and get some !!! 
That's what happens when you leave the dark side -- 
You gonna travel to FL and see Vetman? If you do, let us know -- we can meet up and find a place to eat. 
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MikeT__and_Mo T
'05 Voyage, W20, SMI, '06 CR-V
Taffy, Ginger, the cats --Daisy, the dog
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12-26-2008, 06:42 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers Pond Piggies Club Winnebago Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Hawthorn, PA
Posts: 3,779
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Quote:
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Originally posted by W8RLM - Bob:
Holding or wedging the Momentary Switch will cross connect them and allow the converter to charge both batteries.
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Since your coach batteries are kept topped off by the converter they are mostly fully charged. When you use the switch to connect the dead chassis battery and the fully charged coach batteries, for the purpose of charging the dead chassis battery, you will inadvertently over charge the fully charged coach batteries.
-Tom
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Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Hawthorn, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN 2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2012 Honda Accord SE · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
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12-27-2008, 02:46 AM
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#10
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Community Moderator
Gulf Streamers Club Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 8,263
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You might want to try an Echo charger or something similar.
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Mike, Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, RV Merchandiser; Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser w/ Banks & 2 toads
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12-27-2008, 05:06 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Gales Ferry Connecticut
Posts: 723
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Thanks for all the input. I had been thinking about an Echo but wasn't sure if I'd need one. Now that I know I do, I'll order it today.
Mike, we probably won't be coming to Florida. It would probably be easier to get Capt. Bud to root for Army than to get Carol on a plane.
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Tom & Carol - ToBi Our Chocolate Lab
2008 Monaco Monarch 30SFS
2008 Chevy Colorado
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02-17-2009, 08:24 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 14
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On my 2003 Winnebago Brave I traced the input wire from the solar panel to the relay switch. I then ran the wire to a switch and then to both sides of the relay. Now I can flip a switch and send the solar panel boost to the chassis battery while I am plugged in. Or I can just leave it charge the chassis all the time...
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02-25-2009, 02:36 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Big Bear Lake, Ca
Posts: 390
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You can also get a small solar charger and plug it into the cigaret lighter to keep the chassis battery charged.
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HR 1991 31' Alumilite
1990 Wrangler Heavily Modified Toad
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02-25-2009, 04:50 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 192
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my 1996 charges the house batteries at the same time as the chassis batteries. all of them read the same volts, 13.2. you may need to check the bird to see if it is connecting the relay so both sets will get charged.
newmar, spartan chassis
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tommy wilson
1996 kountrystar
spartan mountainmaster cummins 8.3L
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