Community Forums

Craig36 · 03-07-2012, 04:25 PM

Hello,

I have recently become the second owner of a 2003 Pace Arrow 36B. I have used the coach regularly for about 2 months, so I have had no reason to turn off the battery switches. My batteries always read full charge.

Last week I took the coach to a repair shop who after doing the work, turned them both off. To my surprize when I went to start the coach, both the engine and the coach batteries were dead (3.6 volts).

Since the battery switches are specifically there to prevent rundown from various devices, how could BOTH be dead?

Has anyone had this experience and know the cause?

Thanks,

Craig

RickO · 03-07-2012, 04:28 PM

That sounds like a bizarre problem and hopefully some of our experts will be along soon with some answers but

Rick

gasser 38 · 03-08-2012, 07:44 AM

what work did they do did they run the batteries down while working on it?

Gary RVRoamer · 03-08-2012, 08:06 AM

Somebody probably tied the two systems together somewhere, probably when installing an accessory or replacing something like an LP detector, which often has power wires to both house and chassis battery banks.

clyon51 · 03-08-2012, 08:57 AM

Since both were dead, it would seem to me they didn't disconnect the batteries. Perhaps they didn't disconnect them until it was too late and tried to cover their tracks? I would agree it appears both banks seem to be tied together, but I suppose they could have left the ignition on or some other silly reason. Regardless, they certainly owe you a good explanation. After everything is charged up, I would certainly break out the volt meter and check if those 2 banks are permanently tied together somehow.

wa8yxm · 03-08-2012, 08:59 AM

If your house batteries are Six Volt pairs they MAY recover, The starting battery however will need to be replaced.. I would ask the shop how that happened. I suspect they turned them off AFTER they were dead.

Marine/Deep cycle batteries (common 12 volt types) may or may not recover, but odds favor "May not".

Note: When I say the house batteries "MAY" recover, I mean mine have, more than once, from a very deep discharge including one so low it would not even light a 1156 lamp.