Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 06-13-2020, 11:46 AM

Hi,

Should my workhorse UFO's UFO's altenator charge the house batteries while driving?

I have not noticed before if it does so and will not be driving the coach for a week to check.

Thanks,

vettenuts · 06-13-2020, 12:12 PM

I would assume so, my W24 did.

Unicorn Driver · 06-13-2020, 12:23 PM

Thanks Vettenuts, I had of assumed so also. I left the coach unplugged last night as was leaving for dealer at 7.30, drove 2.5 hours total today and battery was 96% when Ing9g home. I did have the furnace and other items running while unplugged.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 06-13-2020, 01:52 PM

UD-

The wiring diagrams for your coach say the house batteries should charge when the engine is running.

Unicorn Driver · 06-13-2020, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

UD-

The wiring diagrams for your coach say the house batteries should charge when the engine is running.

Thanks Mark, as always you are an outstanding help :-)

edgray · 06-13-2020, 03:21 PM

Sorry to be the contrary one here, but I’m thinking that you should NOT assume the alternator will charge the house batteries. Unless WBGO provided a connection between them it can’t happen. My 2010 Itasca Suncruiser W-24 didn’t and they told me they only did that for the DP products of that timeframe.
They used a Trik-L-Start device to add the connection between the chassis batteries and the coach batteries, and I had one of them added to mine at my expense.
It is certainly possible the UFO based Latitude DOES have one, IRDK. Plus, I’ve been wrong before, according to my wife [emoji4]

UFO Pilot · 06-13-2020, 05:38 PM

My UFO alternator charges the house batteries and their is a factory installed Trik-L-Start. The Trik-L-Start is well hidden but it is there.

UFO Pilot · 06-13-2020, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgray

Sorry to be the contrary one here, but I’m thinking that you should NOT assume the alternator will charge the house batteries. Unless WBGO provided a connection between them it can’t happen. My 2010 Itasca Suncruiser W-24 didn’t and they told me they only did that for the DP products of that timeframe.
They used a Trik-L-Start device to add the connection between the chassis batteries and the coach batteries, and I had one of them added to mine at my expense.
It is certainly possible the UFO based Latitude DOES have one, IRDK. Plus, I’ve been wrong before, according to my wife [emoji4]

Hey Ed,
Roberta tells me I am wrong all the time.

twinboat · 06-13-2020, 05:50 PM

Just about every motor home has a device to charge the house batteries while the chassis battery is being charged. Its called an isolation solenoid, look for it.

If a MH isn't charging the house battery while running, the solenoid that handles it is bad, a very common issue. Its the same solenoid that handles the aux or boost starting.

The Trick L Start was installed to maintain the chassis battery while parked and on shore or generator power, only.

In later years ( 2008 ) most manufactures went with bi-directional devices to handle the two functions.

Steve43 · 06-13-2020, 07:24 PM

Agree with Twinboat! My 2004 W-22 charges the house batteries while the engine is running. But it does not do it the opposite way until they started installing a BIRD - about 2008 for gas models, a little sooner for DP. I had to install a Trick L Start to have it charge the chassis battery when on gen or shore power. Believe all workhouse chassis were that way.

Unicorn Driver · 06-14-2020, 05:10 AM

Thanks all,

My house starter battery does get charged when I am plugged in. I will be driving 2 hours soon and will test if he house batteries are charged while driving.

inbogie · 06-14-2020, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgray

Sorry to be the contrary one here, but I’m thinking that you should NOT assume the alternator will charge the house batteries. Unless WBGO provided a connection between them it can’t happen. My 2010 Itasca Suncruiser W-24 didn’t and they told me they only did that for the DP products of that timeframe.
They used a Trik-L-Start device to add the connection between the chassis batteries and the coach batteries, and I had one of them added to mine at my expense.
It is certainly possible the UFO based Latitude DOES have one, IRDK. Plus, I’ve been wrong before, according to my wife [emoji4]

why would any man assume he could ever be right according to his wife.lol

edgray · 06-14-2020, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Just about every motor home has a device to charge the house batteries while the chassis battery is being charged. Its called an isolation solenoid, look for it.

If a MH isn't charging the house battery while running, the solenoid that handles it is bad, a very common issue. Its the same solenoid that handles the aux or boost starting.

The Trick L Start was installed to maintain the chassis battery while parked and on shore or generator power, only.

In later years ( 2008 ) most manufactures went with bi-directional devices to handle the two functions.

Reading this post caused me to rethink my charging situation that caused me to add the Trik -L-Start and I now realize (remember) that I added it to charge the cranking battery FROM the house batteries WHEN they were being charged by shore or genset power. Not the other way around as I posted [emoji30].
Regarding the use of a BIRD device, I believe that is determined by the coach builder. My 2003 Newmar Kountry Star on a 2003 W-22 had one, even though it was their mid-level gasser at the time.

AKIQPilot · 06-14-2020, 10:57 AM

The battery boost solenoid is what allows the coach batteries to be charged from the engine alternator when the engine is running. If your battery boost solenoid fails or has bad contacts your coach batteries will not charge with the engine running.

A simple way to test this is to look at your battery voltage on your One Place when the engine is running. The house and chassis batteries should show the same voltage within .1 vdc.

And to Unicorn Driver. Like others have said, Yes. Your house batteries should charge when the engine is running.