Community Forums

CoastieChief · 04-16-2014, 03:03 PM

I know this has been asked before and I know the basic answer about the solenoids. Disconnect is working and chassis is being charged when on AC. House batteries are not getting power while engine is running. trying to find someone with a wiring diagram or can tell me how this particular board handles the solenoid. In particular is it looking for a particular voltage? should it start charging as soon as the engine is running?

Any help from another late model HR gas owner would be helpful.

Also I emailed the HR service center and asked them for any troubleshooting info and after a week still no response.

Randyman1 · 04-16-2014, 03:15 PM

Are you sure it is supposed to charge them? Mine doesn't, I have the household fridge and the inverter keeps it going all day while driving with no charge. Plug in to electricity at night and it recharges the batteries. If you boon dock then the generator auto start will fire up when it senses the low voltage and charge them too. I also have a solar panel that charges them. Maybe yours is different. Randy

SmokyRV · 04-16-2014, 03:23 PM

I have a 2012 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 34SBD and the house batteries are charged by the engine alternator when the engine is running.

They actually charge up quicker that way then when hooked up to shore power.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy the HR

CoastieChief · 04-16-2014, 05:51 PM

Thanks Randyman, Manual says it will charge.
Smokey, I have the same unit they didn't change much between 2012 and 13. My big question is when does it start to charge.
I am just trying to figure out if it is the solenoid or the circuit board.

bgbranch · 04-16-2014, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoastieChief

Thanks Randyman, Manual says it will charge.
Smokey, I have the same unit they didn't change much between 2012 and 13. My big question is when does it start to charge.
I am just trying to figure out if it is the solenoid or the circuit board.

Easy to check the solenoid. It is the same solenoid that activates when you use the aux. start. Have someone push the aux. start switch while you listen to see if the solenoid activates. If it does activate, use a vom to check continuity between the two large terminals to make sure it is making contact inside the solenoid.

Gorlininc · 04-16-2014, 07:30 PM

I find if hard to believe that the house batteries do not get charged while driving, as stated in previous post. That doesn't even sound right. Most newer coached have a BIRD system that keeps all the batteries charged while driving or on shore/gen power.

SmokyRV · 04-17-2014, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoastieChief

Thanks Randyman, Manual says it will charge.
Smokey, I have the same unit they didn't change much between 2012 and 13. My big question is when does it start to charge.
I am just trying to figure out if it is the solenoid or the circuit board.

My house batteries went low one night due to the cold temps and the furnace running a lot and as a result I could not start the generator in the AM. Rather than use the boost switch, I just wanted to see how long it would take to get enough charge in house batteries to start the generator by running the engine.

Ran the engine for 5 mins. and then hit the generator start button and the generator fired up. Volts were at 12.05 by then.

Hope this helps

Mike

CoastieChief · 04-17-2014, 05:15 PM

Ron thanks don't know why I did't think to try the boost switch. I will check that tomorrow. Hopefully I can figure out where the problem is.

bullydogs1 · 04-17-2014, 09:25 PM

The solenoid from the factory is the cheapest one they can get that goes bad in less than a year...Mine did, then replaced it with the gold contacts Trombetta relay (the model # should end in a 20 and not 10 like the one you have)...and no more problem...

bgbranch · 04-18-2014, 06:55 AM

If you need a new relay, You can get it from JP Power in Ocala Fl. for $44.95 plus shipping. The part # is 114-1211-020

blahargoue · 04-19-2014, 07:57 AM

Your rig is a '13 model. Is it still under warranty? Could end up being HR's problem, not yours.

CoastieChief · 04-21-2014, 05:19 PM

Well I am just outside of the warranty period by a couple weeks. Good thing is the culprit appears to be the contactor. Ron my unit has a different part number. The cost for the new one $20.30 plus shipping from PJ Power in Florida.

bgbranch · 04-21-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoastieChief

Well I am just outside of the warranty period by a couple weeks. Good thing is the culprit appears to be the contactor. Ron my unit has a different part number. The cost for the new one $20.30 plus shipping from PJ Power in Florida.

Good, I'm glad they were able to help you. They carry just about every solenoid made, and are easy to work with. When I ordered mine, I had it in two days.