Community Forums

KenZ71 · 10-12-2020, 06:27 AM

Seems like the house batteries don't charge while driving on our 2005 Tiffin Phaeton

Reading through the owners manual it sounds like only factory options are shore power or generator.

I could easily wire the house & chassis batteries together but obviosly that hack could drain other sets so what to do?

Run a wire direct from alternator to chassis batteries? Follow advice from this Monaco thread?

Larry F. · 10-12-2020, 12:07 PM

The link to the Renogy 20 amp might work for you. Our generator is almost always running to power the air conditioners so we don't have the concern.

https://www.renogy.com/12v-dc-to-dc-...ttery-charger/

twinboat · 10-12-2020, 12:20 PM

It would be a rare RV that didn't charge the house batteries while underway.

With the engine running, push and hold the boost/aux switch. While holding it, see it the house battery volts go up.

If they don't, that solenoid, that you can hear clunking when you cycle the switch, is most likely bad.

That solenoid does both boost start and connect the chassis battery to the house battery automaticly when the engine is running.

Fix that and you don't need to run any wires or buy devices.

**Lt Dan** · 10-12-2020, 12:24 PM

Twinboat has it right. Your boost/merge solenoid should be either in the bay with your house batteries or in the bay with the chassis batteries. Both configurations have been used.

n2zon · 10-12-2020, 03:45 PM

If the layout of the '05 Phaeton and Allegro Bus are the same, the relay is in the inverter compartment. That's the rearmost compartment on the passenger side. Ours is behind a plexiglass shield along with the auto-resetting fuses and some other relays and such.

KenZ71 · 10-12-2020, 04:25 PM

Some incredible depth of knowledge is available on this forum!

So, it sounds like this gizmo should make noise while pushing the chassis / house jumper AKA Aux Boost.

My travel partner does not want to push buttons. All she will do is look out the window & sleep. I'll find more willing helper.

KenZ71 · 10-12-2020, 04:42 PM

Hmm, images not showing up

I see one of these https://www.amazon.com/INTELLITEC-01.../dp/B072N8NYN2 by the Inverter. Before ordering I'll try to find the fuse.

My current travel buddy is my Yellow Lab.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQh3nKn...=1ah0h4l0jv76f

What is so special about the intelligence relay? Amazon says its is rated for 100 AMP continuous. But it won't arrive in time for me.

Could I use this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072MZHK48..._aJoHFb1237KKT

Rated higher and 1/3 the price. I would buy 2 to have a spare

twinboat · 10-12-2020, 06:06 PM

You want the second one you found on Amazon.

The first one is a battery disconnect latching relay. Not a contionuious duty isolation relay ( solenoid ).

Latching relays are for turning on house loads, not connecting battery banks together, for charging.

n2zon · 10-12-2020, 06:13 PM

While the plexiglass cover is off and you're removing the wiring to the solenoid anyway, consider installing a BIRD at the same time. Our Bus didn't come with one so I suspect your Phaeton might not have one, either. Very easy installation. Not very expensive. I can send or post pics if you want.

KenZ71 · 10-12-2020, 06:33 PM

What does BIRD do?
This post seems to describe a BIRD well
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/bir...ml#post4054638

But an isolator & relay such as this stinger also seems to do similar stuff. In the reviews / question & answers it was suggested for high draw stereo systems with a dedicated battery. That way stereo battery runs down but not starting battery. Then recharged once engine starts. Sounds like same RV use case.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HBYXVS..._ORpHFb6G6JCW8

Greatly appreciate the help & feedback. The more I read and think I learn the more confused I get.

n2zon · 10-12-2020, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenZ71

What does BIRD do?

Greatly appreciate the help & feedback

See https://www.intellitec.com/products/...and-management and look at "00-00839-000 - Bi-Directional Isolator Relay Delay - Diesel 2"

I got ours from these people, not because they had the best price, but because (IIRC) Intellitec outsourced their tech support to them, and their expertise when I had questions was very good: https://www.mmrvelectronics.com/

Saving ten bucks or so via Amazon's free shipping just wasn't going to happen when they had such thorough answers to my questions before I bought one.

twinboat · 10-12-2020, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenZ71

What does BIRD do?
This post seems to describe a BIRD well
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/bir...ml#post4054638

But an isolator & relay such as this stinger also seems to do similar stuff. In the reviews / question & answers it was suggested for high draw stereo systems with a dedicated battery. That way stereo battery runs down but not starting battery. Then recharged once engine starts. Sounds like same RV use case.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HBYXVS..._ORpHFb6G6JCW8

Greatly appreciate the help & feedback. The more I read and think I learn the more confused I get.

What you posted will do the job.

KenZ71 · 10-16-2020, 08:11 PM

Follow up for any one reading or finding via search Stinger SGP32 might have worked but the terminals were in different position and the wires are just barely long enough for the original unit.

When the Stinger was installed my house electrical was completely dead. Put the old one back & 12 volt lights, water pump fridge. Etc all work.

bootcamp · 10-23-2020, 07:17 PM

Same on our 07 Phaeton

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2zon

If the layout of the '05 Phaeton and Allegro Bus are the same, the relay is in the inverter compartment. That's the rearmost compartment on the passenger side. Ours is behind a plexiglass shield along with the auto-resetting fuses and some other relays and such.