Community Forums

jbaker400 · 06-10-2015, 09:03 PM

Hi All,
Hopefully this is my last post for awhile! thanks for your patience and all the help so far -- still learning my RV....

2006 La Palma

A few charging questions [sorry but my manual is a little hard to follow]:
1. When driving down the road, does this automatically charge the house batteries?

2. When the generator is running, does this charge both the house and the coach batteries?

3. Do the coach batteries only run the engine? [I thought so, but found out this week when batteries were dead, it also runs my entry step]. Is there anything else in the interior run by the coach batteries?

4. When plugged in, does the coach run on the actual hydro, or does it run on the house batteries, which then the hydro recharges?

Or,... does the above depend on the RV model?
I asked two folks I know with RV's and their answers weren't the same,..... but neither of them drove a Monaco.

Thanks,
jb

Skip426 · 06-10-2015, 10:47 PM

jb, I'll try and help.

1 The engine running alternator should charge all the batteries , if all systems are working properly.
2. The generator powers the coaches converter/charger and charges the coach batteries, BUT some coaches do not come with a system to charge the chassis ( engine start ) batteries, when the coach is on shore power or generator. You will probably have to add one. Trik-l-start is a popular add on if you need it.
3. Coach or house batteries, are the ones that power the interior lights and house systems .
Chassis ( engine start) batteries start the engine and power the exterior lights everything you need to drive ( and enter the coach in the case of the stairs).
4. On shore power the convertor/charger powers the interior and charges the batteries.
Some coaches are equipped with converter/chargers and run a separate inverter( converts battery power to 120v to power television and other items ) others have a 3 function , converter/charger/inverter all in one box.

To check out your coach and it's charging systems , pick up a multi-meter, (volt/ohm meter) under $20 you'll need it as long as you're RVing.

EDIT: The stair power could be one of the items that differ from one manufacturer to another. Some brands could get their stair power from the house batteries.

xydial · 06-12-2015, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

jb, I'll try and help.

1 The engine running alternator should charge all the batteries , if all systems are working properly.
2. The generator powers the coaches converter/charger and charges the coach batteries, BUT some coaches do not come with a system to charge the chassis ( engine start ) batteries, when the coach is on shore power or generator. You will probably have to add one. Trik-l-start is a popular add on if you need it.
3. Coach or house batteries, are the ones that power the interior lights and house systems .
Chassis ( engine start) batteries start the engine and power the exterior lights everything you need to drive ( and enter the coach in the case of the stairs).
4. On shore power the convertor/charger powers the interior and charges the batteries.
Some coaches are equipped with converter/chargers and run a separate inverter( converts battery power to 120v to power television and other items ) others have a 3 function , converter/charger/inverter all in one box.

To check out your coach and it's charging systems , pick up a multi-meter, (volt/ohm meter) under $20 you'll need it as long as you're RVing.

EDIT: The stair power could be one of the items that differ from one manufacturer to another. Some brands could get their stair power from the house batteries.

Good response. in (1) Monaco uses a solenoid to connect both strings of batteries together when charging from the alienator. This solenoid is also connected to the switch used to "jump start" the chassis batteries (forgot the switch name). The solenoid is usually located in the battery compartment, is typically called a "big boy" and is subject to failure.

in (3) Monaco typically powers the steps and the stabilizer jack from the chassis batteries. This makes sense because the functions must work for the coach to be mobile.