Community Forums

thumbs up · 06-23-2021, 03:31 PM

Okay, nelly newby here. First ever motorhome 2000 damon daybreak 3270. Purchased a month ago. Drove to campground and plugged into 30 amp. 7 days later started motor to make sure it's still running. Next 7th day started fine. Next 7th day only clicking. Next 7th day just dead all together. Some reason i thought when plugged up it would keep it charged. Rv sales said to leave on battery connect. Battery disconnect/battery connect must be tripped because it will not stay on either way i flip it. Help

Crasher · 06-23-2021, 04:03 PM

A lot of motorhomes do not charge the chassis battery from shore power the way they come from the factory. To do so, you need a "Trickle-L- Start" or better yet an "Amp-L-Start". These will transfer charge from a charged house battery while plugged into shore power that will keep the chassis battery charged. For now, you should have a "Boost" switch on your panel. Hold it down and try to start your engine. You might have to put a charge into your chassis battery from a charger to get it to run.

FWIW, I never turn the battery disconnect off.

Here: http://www.lslproducts.net/ALS_Overview_Page.html

andy29847 · 06-23-2021, 05:18 PM

As said above, many motor homes are configured where only the house batteries are charged when plugged into shore power. The solution for this problem that I use is a Xantrex Echo Charger. Here is an illustration that I made that shows how my motor home is configured and where the echo charger is connected.

Mudfrog · 06-23-2021, 05:19 PM

Like Crasher stated, there are some rigs that aren't set up to charge the chassis battery from the built in converter/charging system. Ours is like that so I have to use a stand alone charger when parked for more than a couple of weeks.

I always see Trickle-L- Start and Amp-L-Start mentioned but I'm not sure what the advantage is to using them versus a stand alone charger/maintainer.

Crasher · 06-23-2021, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

Like Crasher stated, there are some rigs that aren't set up to charge the chassis battery from the built in converter/charging system. Ours is like that so I have to use a stand alone charger when parked for more than a couple of weeks.

I always see Trickle-L- Start and Amp-L-Start mentioned but I'm not sure what the advantage is to using them versus a stand alone charger/maintainer.

The advantage is that the Amp-L-Start is an automatic 15 amp smart charger that only transfers charge when needed. No need for a stand alone charger and it never forgets.

thumbs up · 06-24-2021, 07:08 PM

I will get a Amp-L-Start and a battery checker. This is embarrassing but I do not know where the house batteries are. They did not show me during the walk thru. Once the battery is replaced or charged will the battery disconnect/connect button start working again? Thanks for all this senior member help.

thumbs up · 07-12-2021, 06:48 PM

where are my house batteries

happy2rv · 07-12-2021, 07:17 PM

I'm not familiar with that particular coach, but the house batteries on most coaches are either in a basement compartment or in the entry step. If it's the entry step, there is usually a removable piece of carpet or no carpet on the step. Once the carpet, if there, is set aside there are usually a couple of screws towards the back of the step.