Community Forums

NealC · 07-02-2017, 05:19 PM

Is it even possible to jump start a RV? If so, how? I understand the batt boost is supposed to borrow power from the house batteries. Just thinking ahead if this ever occurred. When starting my coach today I saw a Low Voltage warning on the dash which caught my attention. I don't know how they could have run down, I've barely used it yet.

vsheetz · 07-02-2017, 05:29 PM

Sure, you can jump start an RV. Need access to the batteries. Jump as you would a car. If a Diesel engine with two heavy duty batteries, realize the jumper vehicle may be taxed to provide enough juice.

If the boost switch will not get it started from the house batteries, the chassis batteries may be so bad as to load down the house batteries and not help. I recently had this situation earlier this year.

Lug_Nut · 07-02-2017, 07:01 PM

The low voltage event during start up may be normal. The engine you have uses an electronic heated grid to heat the intake air during cold starts. These heating element consume a lot of amperage. Combine that heavy load with the added demand required to operate the starter, and low voltage will exist briefly at that time. Perhaps a call to a Cummins tech might help determine if in fact there is an issue.

Peter

BBelanger · 07-02-2017, 07:16 PM

The low voltage happened every time I started the 2017 Dutch Star. 10,000 miles no issues. Not to worry...

twinboat · 07-02-2017, 07:16 PM

I worked on heavy equipment and large trucks for 35 years.

I've jumped my share. Its no different than a car jumping a car. You use a truck to jump a truck. Just make sure you have heavy duty, truck jumper cables.

As mentioned, the low battery warning may be normal. The intake air heaters draw more power than the alternator can produce at idle. Once they shut down, the heavy load is gone.

Dutch Star Don · 07-02-2017, 07:18 PM

"NealC".....You also have a huge generator that you can start to recharge the batteries!

Since my coach starting batteries are at the rear on the passenger side, I bought a set of jumper cables that will reach from there to my toad while it's connected. It's more likely you'll have a dead toad battery than coach battery.