Community Forums

TruDat · 01-02-2012, 02:40 PM

My question is... Does the chassis batteries get a charge when the MOHO is plugged into shore line... or just from the alternator?

GaryKD · 01-02-2012, 05:13 PM

Hi TruDat,
The answer is "it all depends". Consider making this question in the Thor Owners Forum. On the main iRV2 page scroll about 1/2 way down the page. There you should see the Thor Owners Forum. I suggest this because nobody knows your coach like someone who owns one just like yours. This is a specific Brand, Model and Model year question.

jlyon69 · 01-02-2012, 05:49 PM

That really depends on the individual coach/brand/model, etc. The best way to test is to use a multi-meter on your chassis battery and coach battery with the charger on. The coach battery should be between 13.2 and 14.4 volts. The chassis will be similar if your system takes care of it. If not, it will read something less than 12.8 volts.

Bigd2 · 01-02-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruDat

My question is... Does the chassis batteries get a charge when the MOHO is plugged into shore line... or just from the alternator?

I would say that that with the engine running you would for sure be charging the chasis battery but possibly not the coach battery. I would also find it hard to believe that your 08 coach when pluged into shore power would not charge both battery banks. With shore power, priority
is usually given first to the coach battery and then the chasis battery.
When both are charged the system switches to a float charge which
will maintain both banks without harm due to over charging.

As was mentioned aboue a multi-meter will give you a quick answer.

Check in the bay where your power cord is located. You will most likely
find a surge protector and a small box that takes care of charging the
batteries. Mine happens to be called an Echo charger.

The build sheet for your coach may also tell you if one was installed.

Good Luck!

Dick

Rvgirl2669 · 01-02-2012, 06:55 PM

The chassis batteries only get charged while you have coach running, aka alternator. But if you have a solar charger on the roof they would be getting charged while your parked. Plugging you coach in will only charge the house batteries threw either the convertor or invertor depending on which one your manufacturer installed in the coach . When I say house that means everything rear of the drivers area aka living space.

garym114 · 01-02-2012, 07:33 PM

A digital multimeter will tell you very quickly, some do, some don't.
If it doesn't and you want to keep charged while stored and plugged in you can connect the plus of the chassis to the plus of the coach with a 10 gauge wire.

Bigd2 · 01-03-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rvgirl2669

The chassis batteries only get charged while you have coach running, aka alternator. But if you have a solar charger on the roof they would be getting charged while your parked. Plugging you coach in will only charge the house batteries threw either the convertor or invertor depending on which one your manufacturer installed in the coach . When I say house that means everything rear of the drivers area aka living space.

RVgirl...

Most coaches when pluged into shore power will charge BOTH battery banks, (see above post) unless you do not have an Echo charger or some other brand or type of charger. I take it you have a solar charger?

Dick

puttin · 01-03-2012, 06:42 AM

Dick,

Most rv's will only charge the house batteries when plugged into shore power or on the generator, unless you have a device like Trickle-Start which connects the chassis battery to the house.

Bigd2 · 01-03-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puttin

Dick,

Most rv's will only charge the house batteries when plugged into shore power or on the generator, unless you have a device like Trickle-Start which connects the chassis battery to the house.

Puttin..

You are exactally right. Mine is a Echo Charger and trickle-start does the same thing. The only thing worse than a dead starting battery is a dead
starting battery. My coach also has a battery boost where you are able to combine both battery banks to start the coach. When parked I also
switch off the starting battery just in case there is a parasitic drain on the battery bank.

Dick

Cat320 · 01-04-2012, 09:02 AM

Some do, some don't...call the manufacturer.

dons2346 · 01-04-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd2

.......... With shore power, priority
is usually given first to the coach battery and then the chasis battery..........

Bigd2 you have it backwards. In the Country Coaches, the inverter charges the house batteries. The Echo charger then connects the chassis battery bank and the chassis battery together when the house reaches float.

During engine operation, both the house and chassis batteries are charged from the alternator.

Dave78Chief · 01-04-2012, 03:10 PM

Some do, some don't. Not only depends on the Mfg of the coach, it can also depend on year model. Early Winnebagos did not, later models do. Short of breaking out your voltmeter and checking for yourself, this is one question that either going back to the Mfg for an answer or by only talking to those with the the same brand/model of coach can you ever get a true answer. If it does not, then can you add the feature? Yep. Trick-L-Start, echo charger, Intellitec BIRD, etc. all perform this function. You simply cannot assume that because your coach does, all coaches do. Does not work that way.

Dave

Update:
The 2008 Operators Manual does not appear to posted however I would expect the 2008 model to work the same as a 2007 model:

Battery Isolator Controller

The battery isolator is designed to protect the coach batteries and chassis batteries from discharging each other. This is done by separating the two sets of batteries until a charging source is available. Once a charging source of at least 13.3 Volts has been detected, the isolator controller will then connect both sets of batteries so they will charge. There are three possible charging sources that will provide the necessary Voltage to connect the batteries.
The three charging sources are; the chassis alternator, the generator which will power the inverter, and shore power which will also power the inverter. The inverter has a built in charger that will work off both generator and shore power to charge the batteries. Unless the controller senses a charge from one of the above sources the two sets of batteries will not be connected. Some additional characteristic of the isolator system include:
1. Delays connecting the coach batteries to the charging system for approximately
15 seconds to allow the alternator time to reach full charging ability.

2. If the charging Voltage drops below 12 Volts for a period of 4 seconds due to low idle
speed and/or excessive load, the isolator will disconnect the coach batteries until the
Voltage returns to a level of 13.3 Volts for about 10 seconds.

3. In the event the automotive battery is low or fully discharged, it will be necessary to
press and hold the auxiliary start button located on the dash. By pressing the
auxiliary start button, power from the coach batteries will assist with starting the

motorhome.

For reference, that is the typical operation of a BIRD style controller. Others are simular. - Dave