BIRD location and bypass

[mayhem1328]

2003 Dutch Star

I’m installing a Victron Setup and have a DC to DC charger (victron).

Dealer says I need to disconnect the BIRD to install the dcdc charger.
Has anyone done this before? Where is the BIRD located and is this something that’s easily done?

This new charger is designed to charge the battery banks individually to prevent alternator damage (since LIFEPOs are pretty hungry). I thought the BIRD did this.

Anyways I tried to follow the house battery cables 4/0, but they go deep under the rig. No luck.

Hoping someone has done this victron install and can guide me.

Thanks in advance.

[Skip426]

In the back of the shore power cable bay , the BIRD and solenoid may be covered by a board Velcroed in place ; once the board is removed you should see this . Photo below.
BIRD control box and solenoid . Green and yellow ovals .
Power cable from the chassis batteries is low in the center ( blue arrow ) and cable to the coach batteries is top right. (Yellow arrow )
Relay top right is coach battery disconnect.

EDIT: BTW , if you reduce the size of your photos before posting to 1000 Pixels or less the site computer won't rotate them to fit the posting limits.

[shootist]

The bird only combines based on battery bank voltage. They connect great, unfortunately they don't disconnect worth crap. But you don't want it in there anymore. You could wire a manual switch to the relay for emergency boost. Ps, I would install a relay switch in the rear run bay to avoid any chance of leaving it on accidentally. And I also would buy one with an led to tell me clearly that it is on.

[mayhem1328]

Thanks for the replies.
I’m going to take a look tomorrow.

Have any of you removed your BIRD? Seems like i just need to disconnect the BIRD and insert the DC to DC.

The DC to DC simply has 2 positive and negative terminals.
Allegedly you connect your chassis batteries to one side and house batteries to the other side. As the alt charges the chassis batts, it is supposed to regulate charging to the house batts.

I’ve called Battleborn and honestly they didn’t know and apologized.

[twinboat]

It's pretty simple, find the BIRD controller and remove the " Relay " wire.
Now it can't control the relay ( solenoid ) and it just sits there. Tape up and lable the wire in case you want to convert back.

You can use the 2 large terminal posts on the solenoid for connection points for your DC to DC charger. Each one goes to a battery bank.

If you shopped well, you bought a DC to DC charger that also maintains your chassis battery while on shore power. Disabling the BIRD deletes that funtion.

If not, there are other devices out there that handle keeping the chassis battery ćharged while having lithium house batteries.

[mayhem1328]

Twinboat - didn’t think about that.

Both my converters are disabled for my old system.

(I thought the BIRD was only for the alternator charging).
I’ve been plugged in to shore for months (winter) and chassis is fully charged. (Even with converters off).
Now I’m wondering if chassis has only been charging when the engine is running.

I’ll have to go out with a meter and run the engine.

[Skip426]

BIRD and it's solenoid have three functions .

1 Charging coach batteries from alternator , when engine running.
2. Charging chassis batteries when shore power is charging coach batteries .
3. Linking all batteries when the dash board BOOST button is pushed for emergency engine starting .

BTW. The roof top solar panel , may have been enough to keep the chassis batteries charged while the coach was stored.

[mayhem1328]

Perfect.

I’ve removed the BIRD relay wire and this did the trick. Both sides are completely isolated now.

Brings up another question. What is that second relay for? The one in the earlier picture with the yellow arrow pointing at it?
I’m guessing from charging when plugged in?

Coach battery disconnect - from the switch inside the coach? (USE - STORE)?

Leave this alone I assume.

Thanks!!!

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by mayhem1328

Perfect.

I’ve removed the BIRD relay wire and this did the trick. Both sides are completely isolated now.

Brings up another question. What is that second relay for? The one in the earlier picture with the yellow arrow pointing at it?
I’m guessing from charging when plugged in?

Coach battery disconnect - from the switch inside the coach? (USE - STORE)?

This second relay is open and not connected to both poles. Wondering if it needs to be closed or what its purpose is?
I’m gonna label all of it.

Thanks!!!

House disconnect........

[twinboat]

It's the Use / Store solenoid.