2004 Dolphin 12V Power Distribution Center Info

[keninvic]

Thought I would pass on what I found in troubleshooting the 12V Power Distribution Center on my '04 National Dolphin 5320. Mine uses the board #129757.

Problem:
- Coach batteries not being charged by alternator.
- Chassis battery not being charged by house battery charger.
- Can't hear soleniod operating

Diagnosis:
- Confirmed F32 3A fuse was good, replacing fuse operated the Interconnect Solenoid (loud clunk). Therefore solenoid was activated already but not passing current between batteries.
- Confirmed there was battery voltage on solenoid small terminals.
- Measured across the solenoid large terminals - 1.3V drop across contacts; this should be near 0 Volts.
- Tapped the solenoid case sharply and measured again, now .2 Volt drop.
- Confirmed chassis battery is now being charged by battery charger.

Fix:
Contacts inside solenoid are bad. Replace with Napa ECH ST85 or equivalent CONTINUOUS DUTY solenoid. (disconnect house and chassis batteries before attempting this)

It isn't always the control board.

[Dagwood]

Yeah I had almost the same problem except mine was the circuit breaker on the shelf right above the solonoid. It takes a mirror to see behind them and reset. The little metal shelf is also case grounded. I added a ground wire in addition to the little sheet metal screws holding it down.

When I had it off the shelf (ungrounded) I unpugged the inverter and the jacks retracted. Messed up my head for a minute but I was doing this with power on and when I replaced the first screw I goy a few little sparks and realized it was case grounded. Oh well all fixed up now.

[keninvic]

Originally Posted by keninvic

Thought I would pass on what I found in troubleshooting the 12V Power Distribution Center on my '04 National Dolphin 5320. Mine uses the board #129757.

Problem:
- Coach batteries not being charged by alternator.
- Chassis battery not being charged by house battery charger.
- Can't hear soleniod operating

Diagnosis:
- Confirmed F32 3A fuse was good, replacing fuse operated the Interconnect Solenoid (loud clunk). Therefore solenoid was activated already but not passing current between batteries.
- Confirmed there was battery voltage on solenoid small terminals.
- Measured across the solenoid large terminals - 1.3V drop across contacts; this should be near 0 Volts.
- Tapped the solenoid case sharply and measured again, now .2 Volt drop.
- Confirmed chassis battery is now being charged by battery charger.

Fix:
Contacts inside solenoid are bad. Replace with Napa ECH ST85 or equivalent CONTINUOUS DUTY solenoid. (disconnect house and chassis batteries before attempting this)

It isn't always the control board.

Another option if there is a failure in this cct on the 12V Distribution Board; instead of buying another board, you could replace it with a Dual Sense VSR (Voltage Sensitive Relay), no solenoid, no multiple points of failure on a circuit board - just hook it up between the batteries - it connects the batteries and extends the charge path from either the engine alternator or the house battery charger. Your house battery charger must charge at minimum 13.7 Volts. $87.99 at West Marine.
BEP Relay at West Marine