charging

[lt80]

my rv diesel engine doesnt charge the house batteries while running any longer--any thoughts?

[Conquest102]

Blow fuse, Tripped breaker ,bad alternator, Dead battery, Dirty contacts. Loose wire. It hates you

[H. Miller]

"Any longer"????
Most MH engines never charged the house batteries unless a BIRD was installed.

[jeepfreak]

Most MH's charge the house batteries when running. Check and make sure your battery disconnect swich is on. If it is look for a solenoid that is not pulling in when the ignition is turned on.

[JimM68]

What make - model - year MH?

Most motorhomes have a continuous duty relay that looks like an old Ford starter solenoid that connects the 2 battery banks together.

The BOOST switch on the dash energizes that relay, you can use that to help track down the problem.

The location and type of control circuitry varies a lot from brand to brand, but there will be a PCB somewhere that also energizes that relay, to charge both banks of batteries from shore or genny power, or from the alternator on your engine.

[georgetown350]

"Any longer"????
Most MH engines never charged the house batteries unless a BIRD was installed

Incorrect. House batteries do charge from the alternator and do not need a BIRD. Your statement would be correct if the OPs batteries were not charging from shore power. Simple misunderstanding I'm sure.

IT80 both battery banks are connected to the isolator solenoid. Find it and then you can start diagnosing the problem. Could be as simple as replacing the solenoid.

[RJay]

The same solenoid used for charging your coach batteries from the alternator is used when you push the emergency start button on your dash to start your coach when the chassis battery is low. When the button is pushed you should hear a clicking sound, if not it is likely defective. Just verify that you have control voltage going to the solenoid. If you find its defective be sure to replace it with a continuous current solenoid rated for at least 100 amps.

[Dogpatch]

I had the same problem about a month ago. Traced it to the solenoid. Changed it and voila! My solenoid was right beside the battery compartment.

[RickO]

Originally Posted by georgetown350

Incorrect. House batteries do charge from the alternator and do not need a BIRD. Your statement would be correct if the OPs batteries were not charging from shore power. Simple misunderstanding I'm sure.

IT80 both battery banks are connected to the isolator solenoid. Find it and then you can start diagnosing the problem. Could be as simple as replacing the solenoid.

Can you please explain the difference in the BIRD and isolator solenoids?

Rick

[bob109]

Originally Posted by RJay

The same solenoid used for charging your coach batteries from the alternator is used when you push the emergency start button on your dash to start your coach when the chassis battery is low. When the button is pushed you should hear a clicking sound, if not it is likely defective. Just verify that you have control voltage going to the solenoid. If you find its defective be sure to replace it with a continuous current solenoid rated for at least 100 amps.

Not sure, but this solenoid may do the trick. It's continuous duty!

Trombetta 974-1215-011-09 Metal DC Contactor

[RJay]

Originally Posted by bob109

Not sure, but this solenoid may do the trick. It's continuous duty!

Trombetta 974-1215-011-09 Metal DC Contactor

Hi Bob,
There has been a lot of problems with the Trombetta solenoid. They seem to run very hot and although it has a continuous duty rating the actual ampere rating is not listed. I prefer the AMETEK Solenoid 15-132(SAS-4201). As you can see it is a 12 VDC normally open, continuous duty solenoid rated at 100 amps. I don't know what size battery bank you have in your coach but if it's greater than 400 amp/hour I would opt for the 200 amp rated solenoid 15-133(SAS4202). The difference is this solenoid has silver contacts with all other spec's being the same as the 100 amp unit.

[Peddler]

My coach energizes the solenoid connecting the batteries anytime the ignition is in the on position. It wasn't working, dealer replaced the solenoid last week under warranty, works fine now. As I understand it the BIRD unit is a little higher level of sophistication in that it assures the coach battery is fully charged before it energizes the solenoid to charge the house batteries.

[KIX]

Originally Posted by RickO

Can you please explain the difference in the BIRD and isolator solenoids?

Rick

On my coach:
The BIRD controls the battery isolator solenoid (some call it a relay) only when connected to shore power. The BIRD senses when chassis batteries are below 12.7 (I think it's 12.7) volts and energizes the solenoid to connect the house and chassis banks. Hence the name BIRD = Bi-directional Isolator Relay Delay. It delays energizing the isolator solenoid until chassis batteries volts fall below 12.7.

The isolator solenoid is controlled by the ignition switch when not connected to shore power.

Hope this answers your question

[bob109]

Originally Posted by RJay

Hi Bob,
There has been a lot of problems with the Trombetta solenoid. They seem to run very hot and although it has a continuous duty rating the actual ampere rating is not listed. I prefer the AMETEK Solenoid 15-132(SAS-4201). As you can see it is a 12 VDC normally open, continuous duty solenoid rated at 100 amps. I don't know what size battery bank you have in your coach but if it's greater than 400 amp/hour I would opt for the 200 amp rated solenoid 15-133(SAS4202). The difference is this solenoid has silver contacts with all other spec's being the same as the 100 amp unit.

RJay:

Thanks for the info on the AMETEK Solenoids. I've added the info to my favorites. Should I need a replacement I'll opt for the silver contact, 200 ampThe solenoid is rated for 50,000 cycles!