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Old 02-21-2017, 09:22 PM   #1
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Battery charging issue, what to check next?

I replaced both coach batteries and the chassis battery 2 months ago.
I run my gen every month to exercise it.

Coach is plugged in and batteries are still not charging.

Chassis read 12.2 and coach was 11.9 yesterday.

The converter is working and is putting out 13.5v, but that is not getting
to the batteries. Seems an issue between the converter and batteries.
The converter output wires go into the rear cap of the rv and I cannot see
where they go. Any ideas on what/where to check next?

Thanks,
Russ
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Old 02-21-2017, 09:35 PM   #2
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Usually there is a relay in the battery compartment (besides the salesman's switch) that disconnects the charger from the battery bank. I just replaced mine $69.95. It is in among the two 150 amp circuit breakers, a couple control boxes and the bi-directional relay.
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Old 02-21-2017, 10:03 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388 View Post
Usually there is a relay in the battery compartment (besides the salesman's switch) that disconnects the charger from the battery bank. I just replaced mine $69.95. It is in among the two 150 amp circuit breakers, a couple control boxes and the bi-directional relay.
Never heard of a 150 amp breaker in a RV.
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Old 02-21-2017, 10:06 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beau388 View Post
Usually there is a relay in the battery compartment (besides the salesman's switch) that disconnects the charger from the battery bank. I just replaced mine $69.95. It is in among the two 150 amp circuit breakers, a couple control boxes and the bi-directional relay.

I use the use/ store switch in the monitor, but I will look around and
see if I see another switch in the battery compartment.

Thanks
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Old 02-21-2017, 10:36 PM   #5
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Never heard of a 150 amp breaker in a RV.
Mine has a 300 amp fuse. Maybe he has a newer coach with a circuit breaker. Or maybe he meant fuse.
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Old 02-22-2017, 03:16 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RMFUN View Post
I replaced both coach batteries and the chassis battery 2 months ago.
I run my gen every month to exercise it.

Coach is plugged in and batteries are still not charging.

Chassis read 12.2 and coach was 11.9 yesterday.

The converter is working and is putting out 13.5v, but that is not getting
to the batteries. Seems an issue between the converter and batteries.
The converter output wires go into the rear cap of the rv and I cannot see
where they go. Any ideas on what/where to check next?

Thanks,
Russ
Did you physically replace the batteries or have it done? Did you take pics of the cabling before you did or had it done?
Sounds like you're missing the cables to the batteries that run from the BIRD and ISO Relay that you find in the electrical bay (where your shore power comes in). Make sure there are not unconnected cables still in the battery bay. OR you may have the cables from the ISO relay landed on the wrong terminals, like to Neg instead of Pos. The PO of mine did that with the chassis charge cable and landed it on the house bank instead.
Look at this diagram - should help you out
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Battery Charging Layout 2429_001.pdf (41.3 KB, 89 views)
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Old 02-22-2017, 10:24 AM   #7
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Did you physically replace the batteries or have it done? Did you take pics of the cabling before you did or had it done?
Sounds like you're missing the cables to the batteries that run from the BIRD and ISO Relay that you find in the electrical bay (where your shore power comes in). Make sure there are not unconnected cables still in the battery bay. OR you may have the cables from the ISO relay landed on the wrong terminals, like to Neg instead of Pos. The PO of mine did that with the chassis charge cable and landed it on the house bank instead.
Look at this diagram - should help you out

I replaced them and yes I took pics and was very careful. I am going out
today and will check everything over again.

What is a BIRD ?

Thanks
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Old 02-22-2017, 12:34 PM   #8
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The way mine is wired form the factory, if the battery cutoff is in the off position, the batteries wont charge.

Reason being, the converter is connected directly to the load center, load center to cutoff, cutoff to circuit breaker, breaker to battery. That means the converter will run all of the 12v stuff, even with the battery off, and not charge.

My alternator will however charge without the coach battery turned on.
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Old 02-22-2017, 12:52 PM   #9
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What " MeSteve " explained is the standard setup.

If your house battery is not charging from the converter or inverter, it's NOT the BIRD, ( Bi-directional Isolation Relay with Delay ) That serves another purpose.

It could be the house battery disconnect relay. Find the control for it and flick it on and off a few times. Sometimes that gets them working ( temporarily ).

If you here it clicking, you can find it and run a jumper wire from the large post on one side to the large post on the other side. If things charge, you found your problem.

If, while swapping batteries, you got some sparks, you need to check the fuse or breaker near the house battery and on the battery disconect relay, itself.
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Old 02-22-2017, 04:58 PM   #10
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Russ, did you figure anything out?
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:10 PM   #11
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Quote:
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I replaced them and yes I took pics and was very careful. I am going out
today and will check everything over again.

What is a BIRD ?

Thanks
Here are the manuals for the Battery Disconnect and the BIRD which should help explain the function of the system.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf battery_disconnect.pdf (330.3 KB, 56 views)
File Type: pdf BIRD%20Service%20Manual.pdf (91.8 KB, 54 views)
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:19 PM   #12
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Oops, sorry, I gave you the BIRD manual for a DP. Here is the Gas version.
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:43 PM   #13
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I think I just have the solenoid that is ignition driven...

I haven't seen anything resembling the BIRD control box
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:54 PM   #14
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Quote:
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I think I just have the solenoid that is ignition driven...

I haven't seen anything resembling the BIRD control box
To my knowledge, Newmar uses the BIRD system on All of their coaches to maintain both the house and chassis batteries. That's but one reason why they cost more.
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