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My starting/chassis batteries kept being dead. I found the Echo stopped working. I agree w above that an Echo can't be installed wrong because you would have noticed hard starting after being on shore power a while.
FYI for noobees reading this learning electrical on a MH: Chassis batteries only get charged when the engine's alternator is running (or a stand-alone charger is hooked up). Since a motorhome can't tolerate starting batteries' not being ready to go, a battery combiner must be added, here, a Xantrex Echo. Normally, the combiner's circuit is open (no current flowing). When the combiner senses the chassis batteries' voltage is below a certain number (usually 11V) it closes the circuit allowing the coach/house batteries to charge the chassis batteries. When their voltage reaches a pre-set number (usually 12.5V or 13.0V) the circuit opens, isolating the 2 systems again. The reason this works without making the coach batteries get too low is the coach is normally plugged into shore power or the generator is running to keep the coach batteries up. The 120V current (from either source) comes in, passes thru the surge protector, passes thru the automatic switchover, and goes to the inverter. The inverter then either passes the current on to the coach's 120V house system or to the inverter' built-in charger, thus charging the coach batteries. As they are drained, if the coach batteries need help, as when they are combined to the chassis batteries via the Echo, the charger in the inverter will kick in then, too. The Echo circuit also opens when the engine starts and the alternator is putting out, usually, 14V. Chassis batteries can also be charged for a very short time with the motorhome's "start assist." (See your manual.)
After learning how the Echo works and testing it, I took steps to buy another. During this research, I found many sources recommended upgrading to a better combiner with more capable and beefier designs. Of these, I chose the Magnum MK-SBC, partially because I'm about to replace my electrical system with Magnum equipment.
However, the magnum combiner is wired differently. So, I took this opportunity to figure out what Country Coach had done overall. A combiner must be connected ultimately to the Pos of both chassis and coach batteries (and a joint Neg like the frame). CC did this to the coach batteries running the current thru several relays, connection blocks, and big wires. I think they did so they put the Echo in the chassis battery compartment. I suspect they viewed the coach battery compartment as being too dirty; I don't know. I saw no reason to repeat this complex method of transmitting voltage between batteries.
Instead, I installed my Magnum smart combiner on the rear bulkhead of my coach's battery bay. I ran an 8AWG and a 10AWG (the sensor wire) from the combiner to that bay's Pos per Magnum's manual. I ran another 8AWG and a 10AWG from the combiner back to the Pos in the chassis battery Bay. I ran the combiner's Neg line to the frame in the coach bay. I was able to make this run by drilling holes in the mentioned bulkhead, running through the wiring chase over the Aqua Hot, drilling holes in the front of the wheel well and through the rear wheel well, and on to the chassis batteries. I covered the cables with split loom and used strain reliefs at the bare metal holes.
If you choose to replace your Echo, it's just a plug and play install.
I plan to insert a volt meter in the 8AWG line from the coach batteries just prior to its connection to the chassis Pos. It will let me know, when onn shore power for a long time, whether the combiner is, at least, trying to charge the chassis.
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2008 Country Coach Allure 470 Sunset Bay #31611 37' tag, Cummins ISL-400, Dish Trav'ler, MCDs, Techma, liftup Sony, fireplace, 1440W solar 600A lithium, 2014 JKUR
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