Community Forums

Tribute · 06-08-2018, 07:55 AM

Where is the battery isolation manager typically located on a coach. I have a Winnebago 31C

Tribute 31C

BFlinn181 · 06-08-2018, 09:14 AM

I've not heard of a "battery isolation manager" but I've heard of B.I.R.D. and battery solenoids. On my Spartan chassis they are in an electronics compartment in front of the left front tire. In others, they are under the entry steps with batteries, under the hood with fuses and relays, etc. I suggest you download electrical diagrams from the Winnebago website and also explore your own RV. Write down every component you find noting make and model, any fuses or breakers you discover. Then search online for manuals for each component you discovered. This will give you much information in a time of need.

tderonne · 06-08-2018, 09:20 AM

What year is your Tribute? Winnebago started using BIMs in 2012 I believe. It's just a small module piggybacked on to the boost/isolation solenoid.

According to the 2015 Tribute 31C Wiring diagrams looks like the solenoid is behind your 12 volt circuit breakers in the chassis electrical box.

Tribute · 06-09-2018, 08:41 AM

Thanks Bob, I think the BIM and BIRD are different names for a part that performs the same function? This is all a learning experience for me all info is appreciated.

Harry & Kelly

Tribute 31C
Fiat 500 toad

Tribute · 06-09-2018, 08:50 AM

Year is 2016, bought it new after sitting on a dealers lot for about 15 months. Thanks for the wiring diagram links, I will print them for future reference. I did not realize the BIM piggybacks on the solenoid.

On the the Precision Circuits read out panel (located inside beside the fridge) I get a Wiring Error Message when the Chassis motor is running. When the chassis motor is running the house batteries do not charge, but the chassis battery does. I tested this with a volt meter. When on shore power or the genny is running the wiring status message is OK, both house and chassis batteries are charging. The problem with the battery charging is only when the chassis motor(V10) is running.

Thanks very much for your help.

Skip426 · 06-09-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribute

I think the BIM and BIRD are different names for a part that performs the same function?

Correct , different manufacturers but function is same .

Nice to have the picture , so you know what to look for.

Too bad the RV manufactures don't provide , manuals ( with pictures ) that would actually be of some help to owners.

BFlinn181 · 06-09-2018, 09:09 AM

I learn something every day. Using tderonne's photo, I did a Google Image search and found Precision Circuits and the BIM. It does seem to do ABOUT the same as a B.I.R.D. The link has a troubleshooting section you might find useful. You might look behind the display panel, perhaps the BIM is hidden there.

FIRE UP · 06-09-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Correct , different manufacturers but function is same .

Nice to have the picture , so you know what to look for.

Too bad the RV manufactures don't provide , manuals ( with pictures ) that would actually be of some help to owners.

They do. For instance, you can find in the Winnebago wiring diagrams, the exact layout and, location of the "Auxiliary Battery Boost" solenoid and, the "House battery disconnect solenoid". It labels them quite clearly. Not exactly a picture but, it's a PDF diagram that's pretty close to a picture. The Auxiliary Battery Boost solenoid IS the same component as the picture above, the Battery Isolation Manager only, there's no THINKING or, computerized control involved. It's on, or it's off.
Scott

BFlinn181 · 06-09-2018, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

They do. For instance, you can find in the Winnebago wiring diagrams, the exact layout and, location of the "Auxiliary Battery Boost" solenoid and, the "House battery disconnect solenoid". It labels them quite clearly. Not exactly a picture but, it's a PDF diagram that's pretty close to a picture. The Auxiliary Battery Boost solenoid IS the same component as the picture above, the Battery Isolation Manager only, there's no THINKING or, computerized control involved. It's on, or it's off.
Scott

Did you look at the wiring diagrams for a 2016 Tribute 31C (you need serial number because there's two versions of wiring diagrams) I did and couldn't identify the location of the battery isolation manager. I did see a notation of the battery disconnect solenoid being electrically between the chassis disconnect and house disconnect, but none of the drawings show where the BIM is located, http://www.irv2.com/forums/attachmen...1&d=1528562130

l1v3fr33ord1 · 06-09-2018, 01:44 PM

Bob-

Starting with the 2016 (early) Tribute 31C drawings:

Brave/Tribute A31C Wiring Diagram Book

you frequently find the BIM/BIRD/solenoid layout on the

Chassis Electrical Box Assembly

drawing set, and in this case you do, on Sheet 2 (page 3 of the PDF).

The Chassis Electrical Box Assembly drawing in the 2016 (late) set (links here and here) is the same as far as the BIM goes.

twinboat · 06-09-2018, 02:02 PM

Push and hold the boost switch, with the engine running. Then see if the house battery voltage goes up. If it does, check the BIM. If it doesn't, check the solenoid.

The boost overrides the BIM.

Tribute · 06-11-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Did you look at the wiring diagrams for a 2016 Tribute 31C (you need serial number because there's two versions of wiring diagrams) I did and couldn't identify the location of the battery isolation manager. I did see a notation of the battery disconnect solenoid being electrically between the chassis disconnect and house disconnect, but none of the drawings show where the BIM is located, http://www.irv2.com/forums/attachmen...1&d=1528562130

Bob, thanks for the diagrams, there is a fuse panel on the drivers side, I will check there.

Harry
Tribute 31C

l1v3fr33ord1 · 06-11-2018, 12:30 PM

Harry-

According to the Chassis Wiring Installation (Sheet 1, Zone C-6, page 2 of the PDF) (link here), the Chassis Electrical Box Assembly is in an exterior compartment immediately aft of the driver-side front wheel.

According to the Chassis Electrical Box Assembly diagram (link here), you will need to remove the cover plate that holds the circuit breakers to get at the BIM.

Don't forget to turn off or disconnect all appropriate AC and DC power sources before opening the cover and/or accessing the BIM.