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ColoEd · 02-14-2013, 05:37 PM

My battery box was not shutting all the way and in trying to determine the cause I found the connection end of a large battery cable that was lying loose in the back of the box. I cant for the life of me figure out how it got off but the last time we took the coach out everything seemed to be working. This cable has a red tape around it so I am thinking it should be attached to a positive battery post. It is not long enough to reach the positive posts on the coach batteries so it must be from the chassis battery supply. Can anyone shoot me a picture of their hookups on the chassis batteries or tell me how many of the larger cables are attached to their positive terminals on the two coach batteries. I currently have one cable leading from each positive termina - one on each battery plus the cable that connects the positive side of the two batteries.

Pictures, wiring diagrams or other advice is most appreciated. This one has me stumped because everything seemed to be working on the last out. I am wondering if there is a second supply to the starter but not sure.

Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance.

PDR John · 02-14-2013, 09:28 PM

I don't know if my 2013 will help, but this is the only picture I have of the coach batteries.

Click image for larger version

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I'll do some more internet searching and if you still need it tomorrow I'll go over and get pics of the wiring diagrams.

PDR John · 02-14-2013, 09:40 PM

Com net has it.

http://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/instan...s/elect12v.pdf

You may have to print out all the PDF pages, but the battery diagrams are in there.

ColoEd · 02-15-2013, 07:37 AM

John, Sure appreciate the help. My 06 is situated different but I can see that there is more than one cable on the positive side so I am sure this loose cable goes to the positive side of the chassis battery. What really has me stumped is why everything was working on our last run and I know for a fact that the batteries have not been tampered with since that trip. So the question becomes, why is a cable disconnected yet nothing is affected. I did not have a chance to track out the cable yesterday to see where it goes but will do that this weekend. I sure dont want to hook up the cable inappropriately.

Thanks for your help. Will keep you posted.

vraines · 02-15-2013, 08:48 AM

I have a 43 ft. Dutch Star and the battery wiring plan is located on the tray itself. The manual also has that plan. When I pull the sliding tray out on our 06' one of the cables insists on getting tangled up with the roller tray. I have rerouted the cable, but I still have to be mindful of that cable when I slide the tray back to lock. If you have the sliding tray version, then maybe that is part of the problem. Newmar just not allow me enough cable to fully extend the battery tray.

PDR John · 02-15-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoEd

John, Sure appreciate the help. My 06 is situated different but I can see that there is more than one cable on the positive side so I am sure this loose cable goes to the positive side of the chassis battery. What really has me stumped is why everything was working on our last run and I know for a fact that the batteries have not been tampered with since that trip. So the question becomes, why is a cable disconnected yet nothing is affected. I did not have a chance to track out the cable yesterday to see where it goes but will do that this weekend. I sure dont want to hook up the cable inappropriately.

Thanks for your help. Will keep you posted.

The reason everything still worked is because it's a 12 volt system. The 2 batteries are for extra amperage, not voltage. The main thing I would be concerned about, if it's a positive cable, would be shorting out. That cable can carry enough amperage to make the battery explode.

While working on the batteries, make sure to isolate the cable ends. Even the one's you disconnect. One easy way, slide a work glove over each one as you disconnect.

ColoEd · 02-16-2013, 09:11 AM

Got it resolved. The cable was the Bi-Directional cable that connects the chassis batteries to the coach batteries so they charge off of each other. Since I was keeping the Chassis batteries charged with the engine generator and the coach batteries were being charged from the shore power each evening, the fact that the cable was disconnected did not create a problem. That is why I had not had any problems from the disconnect.

How did it get diconnected you ask? I take the fifth (amendment that is)!

I tied in a wiring system to keep the battery on my toad charged and because the cable is a bit short, it slipped in behind the battery tray and I did not see it when I reconnected my battery cables. Problem resolved and mystery answered. Thanks for everyones help.