Community Forums

Vtxbiker · 05-01-2014, 09:12 PM

Hey, I live in SC and a special Class F drivers license is required to operate an Rv that weighs in excess of 26,000 lbs. I just passed the test and got my license! The Alpine performed perfect and all maneuvers were performed easily. I bought the Alpine in January 2014 and have been doing some tweaks and mods for my taste so I have not been doing any traveling but now I am ready to go!!!

I do have a question. While moving the coach and disconnecting the shore power I noticed when the shore power was disconnected I could here a relay energizing and de-energizing. The relay is located in the battery compartment. Is this normal? Once I plugged the shore power back in the relay action stopped.The coach is equipped with a power inverter but I have it disabled. Is the relay for the inverter?

Thanks

Janet and Todd · 05-01-2014, 10:37 PM

Congrats on getting your license. I have a question, why is your inverter/charger disabled? How are you charging your house batteries when on shore power? I think the relay you are hearing might be the Trombetta Bear in the battery compartment. What are your house batteries showing for a charge? If they are close to 13v I think the Trombetta will start clicking. I hope E Mike shows up and posts a reply.

Which coach do you have? Is it a pre or post Vansco coach? Do you have a solar panel?

Vtxbiker · 05-02-2014, 08:38 AM

I have a 2008 Alpine 34FDDS. It does have a solar panel. The unit is a xantrex RS 2000 inverter/charger.The inverter is disabled by a switch on the unit. When the inverter is disabled it will not power the 110v circuits when shore power is removed. The charger will still charge the batteries and supply 110v power when connected to shore power. The batteries are fully charged.

The relay is cycling when the shore power is removed and stops when the power is restored.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet and Todd

Congrats on getting your license. I have a question, why is your inverter/charger disabled? How are you charging your house batteries when on shore power? I think the relay you are hearing might be the Trombetta Bear in the battery compartment. What are your house batteries showing for a charge? If they are close to 13v I think the Trombetta will start clicking. I hope E Mike shows up and posts a reply.

Which coach do you have? Is it a pre or post Vansco coach? Do you have a solar panel?

JLMunsil · 05-02-2014, 10:38 AM

The solenoid you hear clicking is for combining the two battery banks together so that they both stay charged. It comes on when the charger is on and you are plugged into shore power or the generator is running and the voltage reaches 13 volts. It also comes on when the engine is running and the alternator is supplying more than 13 volts. When you unplug from shore power and the engine or generator is not running the voltage will drop slowly. When the voltage of the coach batteries gets below 13 volts the solenoid clicks off . This removes the load from the chassis batteries and the coach batteries goes up to 13 volts and the solenoid clicks back on. This continues until the voltage of the coach batteries stabilizes below 13 volts. Usually only a few minutes. Search for charging solenoid you will find lots of discussion.

Selah · 05-02-2014, 10:48 AM

Just a note: always make sure the breaker at the pedestal is OFF before plugging and unplugging.

Vtxbiker · 05-02-2014, 02:35 PM

Thanks and that makes sense! I have not noticed in the past and if it depends on the voltage I wouldn't always have the condition.

Thanks Again
Still Learning!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLMunsil

The solenoid you hear clicking is for combining the two battery banks together so that they both stay charged. It comes on when the charger is on and you are plugged into shore power or the generator is running and the voltage reaches 13 volts. It also comes on when the engine is running and the alternator is supplying more than 13 volts. When you unplug from shore power and the engine or generator is not running the voltage will drop slowly. When the voltage of the coach batteries gets below 13 volts the solenoid clicks off . This removes the load from the chassis batteries and the coach batteries goes up to 13 volts and the solenoid clicks back on. This continues until the voltage of the coach batteries stabilizes below 13 volts. Usually only a few minutes. Search for charging solenoid you will find lots of discussion.