Community Forums

Kiltedpig · 12-12-2017, 02:02 PM

How do I get the engine start batteries to charge when plugged into shore power? I must have a phantom leak because after 30 days in an RV park while plugged in the batteries go dead.

Mr_D · 12-12-2017, 02:08 PM

You may need to add a charger for the chassis batteries. My rig has a Blue Sea combiner that senses both battery banks and charges the chassis batteries when needed.
Trickle Start would also work and is fairly inexpensive.

Outbound · 12-12-2017, 02:08 PM

I would put a trickle charger on them.

TeJay · 12-12-2017, 02:13 PM

It would help those wishing to respond to know the specifics of your RV. Even without that info some but not all converters will charge your engine batteries.

First determine if yours will by checking the voltage at your engine battery before plugging in and after. Before it should read around 12.6 volts. After plugging in to shore power it will read at least 1 volt higher.

Our 2014 RV did not have a charger to the engine battery after plugging in while parked. Now it does. For less than $50 and about 20 minutes to mount then connect three wires you can hook up a "Trick-L-Start" (Google the phrase) unit to your engine battery and your problem is solved.

Just not fast enough. Others beat me to it but that's OK!!!!

bdpreece · 12-12-2017, 05:25 PM

Since you posted in the Monaco forum your coach may have what they refer to as a Trombetta relay. This relay fails often. I know mine did before I had even had my coach a year. See here http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/holid...ot-252079.html

Or my original post when my batteries were going dead http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/dead...ies-92297.html

Kiltedpig · 12-12-2017, 05:47 PM

2004 Monaco Camelot with 400 cummins. Battery boost is kaput so this might be the problem.

twinboat · 12-12-2017, 05:56 PM

Yes, the battery boost is also the isolation solenoid, used for charging.

windsorbill · 12-12-2017, 07:52 PM

I added a echo charger to charge engine batteries from shore power. I can post a picture if needed. It's an easy modification. Since I did that I have never had an engine battery problem. My coach was never designed to charge engine batteries from shore power when it was built.

If your coach is like mine, (camelot and windsors are very similar) I don't think your battery boost failure matters as far as charging engine batteries from shore power. However, The boost failure will not allow the coach batteries to be charged when only the main engine is running (no shore power and no genny running)

Now, if you have a BIRD system, disregard everything I said.

Dynasty_09 · 12-12-2017, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiltedpig

2004 Monaco Camelot with 400 cummins. Battery boost is kaput so this might be the problem.

As you say, if your Batt boost doesn't work, it might be your Trombetta. I had to change it twice on my Cayman.

tomgauger · 01-19-2018, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiltedpig

How do I get the engine start batteries to charge when plugged into shore power? I must have a phantom leak because after 30 days in an RV park while plugged in the batteries go dead.

Harbor Freight has a great 2amp charger that can mount inside the high amp box. It easily connects to the chassis bus and you'll get 110v from the block heater outlet. Works perfectly...around $20.

xydial · 01-19-2018, 06:20 PM

The trombretta is usually used to charge the house batteries from the engine generator and the battery boost.

I bought and installed the following unit to keep my chassis batteries charged when we are hooked up to shore power.

Ultra TRIK-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer

Mr_D · 01-19-2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomgauger

Harbor Freight has a great 2amp charger that can mount inside the high amp box. It easily connects to the chassis bus and you'll get 110v from the block heater outlet. Works perfectly...around $20.

My rig has 4 925 CCA starting batteries, I don't think that 2 amps will do much on them. Maybe on one battery it might work though.