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01-13-2025, 06:02 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 3
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Coach batteries not charging
I have a 2000 Forest River Georgetown model 306. The coach batteries only charge when the chassis engine is running. My question, should the batteries be charging when the Onan is running and/or when hooked to shore power
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01-13-2025, 09:23 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,095
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Yes, coach batteries should charge on shore/generator power.
Look for a converter/charger, it may be in with the circuit breakers. It takes 120 volts and converts it to 12 volts for charging.
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01-14-2025, 10:00 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 3
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Thanks Twinboat.
I traced the wires from my converter to the breaker panel. But I’m not sure if there should Be wires from the breaker panel to my coach batteries and if there is would they connect directly to the batteries
So trying to understand the system , the converter powers all 12 volt power to the coach and charges the batteries at the same time??
Also asking if I’m thinking correctly the generator and shore power go through the transfer switch which feeds directly to the converter??
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01-14-2025, 11:49 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 10,373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Pecht
I have a 2000 Forest River Georgetown model 306. The coach batteries only charge when the chassis engine is running. My question, should the batteries be charging when the Onan is running and/or when hooked to shore power
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Jeff,
On many coaches of your era, especially gas ones, there was or is, a unit called a "BCC" or, Battery Control Center. In many cases, it was or is, located on the firewall just in front of the driver. You'd lift the hood and look to the right and it might be there. On our '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V with the F-53 Chassis and the Triton V-10, it was right where I've described it to be. It's a black box about maybe 8"-9" wide by about maybe 7" tall by about maybe a couple inches deep. If I recall, there maybe is 4 zeus type fasteners that retain the front cover. My memory sucks so, I could be off on that point.
If you do have that unit, what you'd find when the front cover is removed is a solenoid or two, and a PC board with a bunch of fuses, relays and other do-dads of electrical gizmometry.
Now, if I also recall, which is rare, the solenoid(s) and or relay that's in there are what's called a "time delay relay" type thing. And that simply means once your engine starts, this system sees how much voltage is needed to be replaced into the starting battery. Once that's been satisfied, then the relay kicks in and now sends voltage to your house batteries. What I can't remember is, if that BCC has anything to do with shore power and your converter and house battery charging. I can't also recall if the converter in our Bounder was wired directly to the house batteries to replace the charging when needed or, it was wired through a breaker panel.
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
 2018 Goldwing Tour DCT Airbag
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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01-15-2025, 05:56 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,095
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The converter may have a single or in some rare cases a dual output. Either way, the output will go to the fuses and the battery thru the battery disconnect solenoid. That is controlled by a switch near the door. There will be a circuit breaker close to the battery too. That will be 6 or 8 gauge wiring .
Your alternator charging the house batteries is a seperate circuit that uses large battery cables because it's also a boost start circuit. That circuit seems to be working.
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01-15-2025, 06:04 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2024
Location: Maine
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIRE UP
Jeff,
On many coaches of your era, especially gas ones, there was or is, a unit called a "BCC" or, Battery Control Center. In many cases, it was or is, located on the firewall just in front of the driver. You'd lift the hood and look to the right and it might be there. On our '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V with the F-53 Chassis and the Triton V-10, it was right where I've described it to be. It's a black box about maybe 8"-9" wide by about maybe 7" tall by about maybe a couple inches deep. If I recall, there maybe is 4 zeus type fasteners that retain the front cover. My memory sucks so, I could be off on that point.
If you do have that unit, what you'd find when the front cover is removed is a solenoid or two, and a PC board with a bunch of fuses, relays and other do-dads of electrical gizmometry.
Now, if I also recall, which is rare, the solenoid(s) and or relay that's in there are what's called a "time delay relay" type thing. And that simply means once your engine starts, this system sees how much voltage is needed to be replaced into the starting battery. Once that's been satisfied, then the relay kicks in and now sends voltage to your house batteries. What I can't remember is, if that BCC has anything to do with shore power and your converter and house battery charging. I can't also recall if the converter in our Bounder was wired directly to the house batteries to replace the charging when needed or, it was wired through a breaker panel.
Scott
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It’s an automatic charge relay and no, it has nothing to do with the converter only the alternator and the OP states it charging fine from the engine.
The converter powers the panel directly and charges the batteries at the same time. There should be some kind of d of fuse or circuit breaker between the converter and the panel. Then another between the panel and the battery. Look for those.
Unplug from shore power before you go poking around too much.
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01-15-2025, 06:43 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 3
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Twin boat&Fire up, Thanks for the information as soon as the temps here in central Pa get out of the mid teens I’ll get to work with the multi meter
Jeff
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01-19-2025, 08:28 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Templeton Calif
Posts: 89
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Install a Trik-L Start little charger to charge chassis batteries, The system might have once charged chassis batteries but It failed, instead of trying to fix it, Easy install on a DC to DC charger little and cheap, I did mobile RV repair for 10 years and I installed and sold boat loads of them, anyone can install it and zip tie little unit in place 3 wires Ground-chassis battery-house battery's Look it up Trik-L-Start
__________________
Art
97 Prevost Royale 40 foot
470 HP Detroit Series 60 four Stroke
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01-19-2025, 08:42 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 37,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prevostart
Install a Trik-L Start little charger to charge chassis batteries, The system might have once charged chassis batteries but It failed, instead of trying to fix it, Easy install on a DC to DC charger little and cheap, I did mobile RV repair for 10 years and I installed and sold boat loads of them, anyone can install it and zip tie little unit in place 3 wires Ground-chassis battery-house battery's Look it up Trik-L-Start
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He is asking about the charging of House ( Coach ) batteries while on shore power. Trik-L-Start doesn't do that. Besides, they are out of business.
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01-20-2025, 09:17 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Templeton Calif
Posts: 89
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I thought he was confused, I guess it was me
__________________
Art
97 Prevost Royale 40 foot
470 HP Detroit Series 60 four Stroke
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