Community Forums

sallisawfire · 03-13-2016, 04:59 PM

Should my batteries charge anytime we're connected to an 50 amp plug ?

jacwjames · 03-13-2016, 05:10 PM

You may want to post your RV Make, Model, Year so people can answer.

Your profiles shows you have a Newmar Country Star. I would guess that your house batteries will charge and depending on how your system is set up you may also charge your chassis battery.

You probably have a monitor for your inverter that will tell you % of charge and the type of charge that it is being charge at Absorption, Bulk, Float.

Read your manual to better understand your systems. I've had my coach for ~7 years and still sit down and read sections of it.

vsheetz · 03-13-2016, 05:33 PM

Typically yes. An inverter/charger combination unit or converter typically provides for battery charging whenever generator or shore power is applied to the coach.

sallisawfire · 03-13-2016, 05:40 PM

2005 Newmar Kountry Star , 330 cummins

sallisawfire · 03-13-2016, 05:45 PM

Does it make any difference which setting the switch in the control panel is in , store or use ?

GaryKD · 03-13-2016, 05:53 PM

Hi sallisawfire,
We have the same coach. There are coach (house) and chassis (engine) batteries. A system called the BIRD keeps all the batteries charged when you are:
1. Connected to shore power
2. Traveling
3. Power supplied by the generator

The batteries may not be charged all the time. They will be charged enough to keep them fully charged. The BIRD decides this for you. It is located behind a black false backing in the basement containing the shore power cord. The black backing is held on by Velcro. Pull and it will come off.

To make all this work, the Battery Disconnect switch needs to be in the "Use" position.

CoachC · 03-13-2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sallisawfire

Does it make any difference which setting the switch in the control panel is in , store or use ?

No, they should charge in either mode. 12V systems (lighting, water pump, etc.) while in the store mode will not work but charging still works. Be sure to check water level in batteries on occasion.

CoachC

GaryKD · 03-13-2016, 06:17 PM

Hi CoachC,
Our coaches may be wired differently.

CoachC · 03-14-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi CoachC,
Our coaches may be wired differently.

Hi Gary,
Perhaps. My apologies if I am incorrect. My coach maintains a charge in either mode.
I should not assume other models are the same.
Thanks.

Rick

Snomas1 · 03-16-2016, 08:56 PM

Are we talking about the coach batteries only? My DS does not charge the chassis batteries when plugged into shore power.

Skip426 · 03-16-2016, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snomas1

Are we talking about the coach batteries only? My DS does not charge the chassis batteries when plugged into shore power.

I'm 99.9% sure it should . My 99 is equipped with a BIRD system, that starts charging the chassis batteries a couple of minutes after it sees the coach batteries are charged to a 13.1 volt level.
The same solenoid connects the coach batteries to the alternator when driving , and inter-connects all batteries for emergency start ( boost)
My BIRD system is on the back wall of the power bay , yours may be behind a board secured by Velcro.
The main solenoid ( big boy relay) is top center , the BIRD control module is the square box below the three yellow wire connectors.

Skip426 · 03-16-2016, 10:06 PM

Here is a file on the BIRD system , I hope your system is the same as mine.

dennis45 · 03-16-2016, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snomas1

Are we talking about the coach batteries only? My DS does not charge the chassis batteries when plugged into shore power.

My DS does not charge the house batteries unless the disconnect is in the Use position.

GaryKD · 03-17-2016, 06:38 AM

Hi Snomas1,
If your coach has the BIRD system (look at Skip426's posts) it is not possible to easily determine, when the chassis batteries are being charged. The BIRD decides when to charge or not charge the chassis batteries. One can not just take a voltage reading from the chassis batteries. One would need to take a reading from the proper connector on the BIRD to determine if the chassis batteries are being charged.

If you have the BIRD system and the chassis batteries are never being charged, there is something wrong with the BIRD and it needs to be diagnosed and repaired.