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Monkey love · 08-25-2021, 03:53 AM

I'm new to fulltime RV. I went to crank my 1999 National Tropical as I was advised to do at least 1 xbox a month and it won't crank. Someone told me to look for a switch cause I am set up full hookup at campground that there should be a switch to push and it start. Where is that switch and what's it called? I have a panel by the door and there's a battery switch...is that it?

Xmcdog · 08-25-2021, 04:00 AM

Morning,
Welcome aboard.
I'm not familiar with your coach but I would start by checking the batteries and the connections.

Good luck

Ljwt330 · 08-25-2021, 09:54 AM

Two points to make.

I had a National TropiCal and I assume yours is a diesel. If so, ignore the advice to start and run the engine periodically. Unless you can fully heat up the engine which usually takes driving for about 30 minutes, you do more harm than good with periodic starts. Diesels are not like gas engines.

Second point, your chassis or starting batteries are probably dead because your coach may not have been designed to charge the chassis batteries off of shore power. Regardless, there should be a rocker switch on the dash that you push to link the house batteries with the chassis batteries. It is not the switch by the door, that is the house battery disconnect switch.

Look at all the switches on or near the dash and within the driver's reach. It can be labeled "Boost", "Emergency Start", or anything similar. It will be a spring return switch that resets itself to its original position.

If worse comes to worst, you can go to the battery compartment and use jumper cables to jump your house batteries to your chassis batteries for starting.

You could also try to find the bi-directional solenoid that joins the two battery banks together, but I get the feeling you are a bit unfamiliar with that sort of thing.

Finally, it sounds like you are fully hooked up and are in no need to move. I would advise forgetting about starting your RV and focus on getting the chassis batteries to charge on shore power. That could mean finding out if the charger is meant to charge the chassis batteries and needs repair, or simply get a stand alone charger at the auto supply, connect it to the chassis bank, and plug it in.

Monkey love · 08-25-2021, 11:53 AM

Thank you for your advise. I found the switch booster start. The battery is dead. I think until in find someone to educate me more about this particular RV I will take your suggestion about a battery charger. I need to keep it running especially during hurricaine season. I have been looking for RV events in my area to do that RV bootcamp education I read about. Lol Thank you again.

chboone · 08-26-2021, 01:18 AM

In 1999 the Tropical was a gas powered chassis. This link will help you under the operation of your BCC and the built in cross charging of the chassis and house batteries. Download all the file and keep for future reference.
https://rvcustomproducts.com/111979

Sigfamily · 08-31-2021, 02:41 PM

You might also consider installing a Trik L Start. Super easy to install and only abut $70. It automatically takes a little charge from the coach batteries while plugged in to shore power and directs the charge to the chassis batteries to keep them fully charged. Works great. My coach has the solenoid that charges the chassis batteries when plugged in but it would not always work so this was a very simple fix. It also has a low battery alarm on it that has saved me a few times.

THenne1713 · 08-31-2021, 10:10 PM

The switch (rocker switch, or push button) is either at drivers area/ dash, or (mine is in wall by coach entry step); maybe labeled BOOST, EMERGENCY START, EMERG START, EM START, etc? Wait 1-10-minutes for coach to charge chassis battery, then try it? LUCK. Some push buttons, you might have to hold, or some might be click ON/ Click OFF... you will have to determine what works w/ YOUR rig and conditions, and yes, the solenoids do also go bad, had to replace my 20yo a few months ago :-)