Community Forums

mjvalliere · 01-28-2022, 01:48 PM

I have dead batteries on my 36 SDS. Like an idiot I did not take pictures of the battery layout and configuration. I currently have 4 batteries. I'm assuming 2 are chassis and 2 are house.. The 2 chassis batteries are + to + and - to - and i can't remember how the house batteries were wired. Trying to get this done before big snow storm. I can't find a diagram anywhere on the forum. Up the creek without a paddle.

Mike
36 SDS

wolfe10 · 01-28-2022, 02:14 PM

Mike,

No idea what year coach you have, but our 2003 has a battery wiring diagram on the wall of the battery compartment.

Alpine36 · 01-28-2022, 02:14 PM

This should help...

mjvalliere · 01-28-2022, 02:30 PM

Brett It's a 1999 36 SDS There a no diagrams in the battery house

Alpine36 · 01-28-2022, 02:38 PM

Just remember your four house batteries are wired series-parallel. You are basically making two 12v batteries our of four six volt batteries.
Be sure to double check voltages before hooking up the positive cable (s) to the house side. 12 volts is correct. 24 volts will ruin your day.

mjvalliere · 01-28-2022, 08:28 PM

Thank you all,
After talking this through with a friend I realized that 2 12 volts did not make sense in series. Connected everything in parallel and all was good. Sometimes it just helps to talk it through with someone to see the light.
Next time I will take pictures before disassembly.
Thank you all again this forum is invaluable and I appreciate all who have helped me through this Class A newbies issues.

Mike
1999 36 SDS

mjvalliere · 01-28-2022, 08:33 PM

Alpine36 Thank you! After looking at the diagram I realized I don't have 4 6 volt house batteries but 2 12 volt. I wired everything in parallel and all is fine. Coach starts and runs and a major crisis averted. Thank you for the diagram.

Mike
1999 36 SDS

wolfe10 · 01-29-2022, 06:14 AM

With two 12 VDC batteries wired in parallel, the positive to the house comes off one battery, the negative to the other battery.

Kid Gloves · 01-29-2022, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjvalliere

Alpine36 Thank you! After looking at the diagram I realized I don't have 4 6 volt house batteries but 2 12 volt. I wired everything in parallel and all is fine. Coach starts and runs and a major crisis averted. Thank you for the diagram.

Mike
1999 36 SDS

It’s all distilled water under the bridge now. However, many owners opt to use 6V, golf cart batteries for the house bank when selecting FLA’s. They are typically more robustly built and able to handle the rigors of deep cycling than a 12V RV/Marine Deep Cycle battery.

Alpine36 · 01-29-2022, 10:01 AM

Two 12v deep cycle batteries in parrell will work, but you end up with less than half the ampacity compared to the original four 6v golf cart battery series parrell configuration. Something to consider if you have a residential fridge or boondock frequently. If mostly FHU sites you should be ok. Glad you got it figured out...

Jeff and Cheryl · 01-29-2022, 02:14 PM

Alpine 36,
IIRC the '98's and early '99's factory equipment was a D-8 battery for chassis and a D-8 for the House. The House battery was deep cycle. At least that was how mine came equipped.