Community Forums

Oztraveller · 04-06-2011, 10:55 AM

Hi,

I have a 2001 Monaco Signature and I have noticed that the two solenoids in the rear/engine compartment box (on the right) that houses the large battery boost solenoid and battery maintainer, are getting very hot. These are continous solenoids and I have just replaced them thinking that the contacts were worn and therefore getting hot. But, They are still getting very hot...everything works ok...I was wondering if this is normal. When I replaced them, I made sure that they were the correct amp rating according to the manufacturers specs. Has anybody else noticed this??

thanks
Rod

vermilye · 04-06-2011, 11:56 AM

Are they the same part #? There are two kinds of solenoids - continuous duty and momentary (used for starters, etc). You can't substitute a momentary duty for a continuous duty - the coil is not rated for continuous duty & will overheat even if the current rating is OK.

Oztraveller · 04-06-2011, 12:12 PM

They are continous duty...and i replaced them with continous duty solenoids...just not familiar with them getting hot??

vermilye · 04-06-2011, 12:17 PM

Warm wouldn't bother me, but hot would. Of course, there are different opinions of hot, so it is hard to tell from here!

Mike Canter · 04-06-2011, 01:09 PM

Rod, it will be a couple of days before I get over to my Sig and when I do I will check them and see how they are on mine. Are you talking about the Big Boy solenoid in the engine bay electric box? And which other one in relationship to the Big Boy? I am pretty sure mine are always hot also but I will double check.

Oztraveller · 04-06-2011, 01:57 PM

Thanks Mike, They are the two continuous solenoids to the right and below of the big boy (the only other solenoids in my box). I just temperature checked them at 100deg and 130deg. This is as hot as the old ones that I changed out. Maybe it is normal??? I will look forward to your reply. Hot things in coaches worry me!!!

Thanks

Rod

Mike Canter · 04-06-2011, 05:05 PM

I went over and felt my solenoids. My Big Boy is real hot but the two smaller ones to the right and slightly below were cool. I had the battery disconnect switches off and the salesman switch off so that is the reason they are probably cold. As far as I can tell both the smaller solenoids control 12 volt power for domestic use in the coach. The top solenoid on the right supplies power to the domestic 12 v fuse box thats in my bathroom and the solenoid below it supplies domestic 12 v to my front run box. Both are switched by the salesman switch at the front door. I will have to go back over and leave them turned on a for a longer period of time and see what happens. The Big Boy is what allows the charging of the chassis and coach batteries and also is the BOOST solenoid when you hit the switch up front.

The heat generated by those solenoid comes from the coil current for keeping the solenoids on all the time. I would expect them to get hot but never really measured how hot but I will and I will let you know.

Oztraveller · 04-06-2011, 05:22 PM

Thanks again Mike...this is good feedback...I did check out my solenoids with the isolators off and they too were cold then. You will need to turn on the isolators and the salesman switch to check the smaller solenoids. Takes maybe 30-40mins... That would be great!!!
Rod

PS my big boy is hosed...I have ordered a new one. It clicks in but does not transfer power. I guess the contacts are shot!!

Mike Canter · 04-06-2011, 06:24 PM

Rod, if the Big Boy is no good then be advised that your chassis batteries will not be charged up either by shore power or generator power. They will still charge from the alternator.

Oztraveller · 04-07-2011, 08:21 AM

Hi Mike
Yes...thats correct...found that out the hard way...this is what has caused me to do a thorough inspection of this whole area. I have connected a trickle charger to the chassis batteries for now until my new big boy arrives. Can you believe that Monaco wanted to charge me $830 for a new big boy. Got one on the net for $95!!!

Rod