Community Forums

bd041556 · 09-11-2017, 08:16 AM

On our 2017 DSDP, the chassis batteries will no longer start the engine without pushing the "Battery Boost" switch after an overnight stay. The voltage reads 13.5 or so while driving, so I think the alternator is working. It will crank slow but start after a short stop while on the road.

My question is whether we should address this immediately or when it is more convenient for our itinerary. It starts just fine with battery boost on. It acts a little weird for a minute or two (for example says "check transmission" on the instrument panel) but then goes normal and drives fine.

Thanks,
Barry

azSkier · 09-11-2017, 08:47 AM

I think the battery boost feature allows the house batteries to help the chassis batteries, not replace the chassis batteries.

The current path from house battery to starter is long and prolonged high current use could generate a lot of heat. On my coach, I have seen melted insulation near the bird.

Make sure your chassis battery connections are squeaky clean.

The weirdness is probably a low voltage condition while starting. I saw this when my chassis batteries failed and I used battery boost.

Your batteries are brand new. Something maybe failing and complete failure could happen at a more inconvenient time.

vsheetz · 09-11-2017, 09:03 AM

I had similar problem on a trip. Chassis batteries going... Milked it for awhile then they died to the point boost would not help. Luckily we did get to where we were going to be parked for a week and replaced at a leisurely pace. But it could have died at a more inconvenience location. You are rolling the dice - feeling lucky? (-:

Jim T. · 09-11-2017, 09:10 AM

When your chassis battery fails, it will do so in the most inconveniently place possible for you.

siggyd · 09-11-2017, 10:27 AM

Do not play games with Chassis batteries, my friend had a problem with his 2
batteries being very low for no reason,so we let them charge on shore power.
Half an hour later one battery blew the case wide open.
To know a little more,you have to separate the batteries and see which one is the bad one,but in any case ,replace both ASAP.
Bad batteries are also a bad load for your alternator.
Have you checked for any bad /loose connections ?
JMHO,Siggy

"007" · 09-11-2017, 11:04 AM

I used my house battery boost for quite a while on my failing 13 year old chassis battery.
I would chack your 2 chassis batteries for a loose cable, split lug clamp or a poor connection to ground on your chassis frame.
My chassis battery had a loose ground connection to battery when I bought it from dealer.
Your battery charging system is working and charging your house batteries so problem is the charge to the chassis batteries.
Your batteries may read a good charge but you also need a good ground to complete the battery circuit of the system.

Buly · 09-11-2017, 11:50 AM

Simplest thing is check the temperature of each battery while charging, or after long drive. If one is much hotter than others, it is failed internally, and discharging the others.
The next thing is load testing each battery separately. A battery can show 12-13V without a load, but when loaded will collapse to few volts. One bad battery will ruin the whole bank. Being new does not mean anything.