Confirm that our coach charges while driving?

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by twinboat

On many RVs the main battery switch does not turn off the inverter/charger. If the inverter us left on, it will draw down your house batteries.

Our Magnum PSW 2812 that we've had for 6 years has been like our breathing in our bodies; don't think about it, don't adjust it, don't mess with it....it just works. SP, sure, genset, sure, driving, sure......up until it sat outside for a week and we noticed that it doesn't charge anymore while engine is running.

We also noticed that a bunch of current is being sucked out of the 4 house batteries during a 5-day period, even when the house battery selector is OFF.

Ideas?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

Our Magnum PSW 2812 that we've had for 6 years has been like our breathing in our bodies; don't think about it, don't adjust it, don't mess with it....it just works. SP, sure, genset, sure, driving, sure......up until it sat outside for a week and we noticed that it doesn't charge anymore while engine is running.

We also noticed that a bunch of current is being sucked out of the 4 house batteries during a 5-day period, even when the house battery selector is OFF.

Ideas?

Not charging with engine running is bad isolation solenoid, very common issue.

Its also the same solenoid used for the boost switch, so cycling the boost switch, while listening for it, is how to locate it.

As far as dead house batteries, Is this the first time you stored without shore power ?

I checked the specs and your inverter/charger draws 30 watts or about 2.5 amps if left on. That's 60 AH a day. 5 days and your 4 batteries are dead.

There should be a inverter off button, on the control panel.

[Prof_T]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

Our Magnum PSW 2812 that we've had for 6 years has been like our breathing in our bodies; don't think about it, don't adjust it, don't mess with it....it just works. SP, sure, genset, sure, driving, sure......up until it sat outside for a week and we noticed that it doesn't charge anymore while engine is running.

We also noticed that a bunch of current is being sucked out of the 4 house batteries during a 5-day period, even when the house battery selector is OFF.

Ideas?

IMHO I think your inverters are still on and drawing power from your house batteries.

Good advise on this thread from everyone.

When we first got our bus I had to keep it outside until I could get power run into my building. My PO emphatically stated to turn off the battery disconnect outside. It cuts all power off the bus. So that's what we did and had no issues.

BIRD, isolator relay, connection issues, or bad batteries. Since the batteries are only 6 months old that should not be the issue.

Keep us update on your fix. Good thread.

[Gary RVRoamer]

As others have noted, there is "stuff" that runs in the background that you probably don't even realize. Some of it even with the battery disconnect in the Off position.


Also, this Eagle has a Magnum 2812, which is NOT OEM equipment for a 2003 American Coach. I believe the original was a Heart Source Manager II, which combined the ATS, inverter/charger/converter and some power management relays all in one unit. Since the original component has been replaced, it's possible the system has been modified with a new inverter/charger and probably a new ATS, it may have been modded in other ways.

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Not charging with engine running is bad isolation solenoid, very common issue.

Its also the same solenoid used for the boost switch, so cycling the boost switch, while listening for it, is how to locate it.

As far as dead house batteries, Is this the first time you stored without shore power ?

I checked the specs and your inverter/charger draws 30 watts or about 2.5 amps if left on. That's 60 AH a day. 5 days and your 4 batteries are dead.

There should be a inverter off button, on the control panel.

Yes, this is the first time it's been without SP, and we've never turned it off, so I'll go there tomorrow, charge up the batteries again, and turn the inverter OFF when I leave. It doesn't make sense to me that the inverter would draw power when it isn't doing any inverting, but I'll feel it and if it's warm, that answers the question. thanks for the education.

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

As others have noted, there is "stuff" that runs in the background that you probably don't even realize. Some of it even with the battery disconnect in the Off position.


Also, this Eagle has a Magnum 2812, which is NOT OEM equipment for a 2003 American Coach. I believe the original was a Heart Source Manager II, which combined the ATS, inverter/charger/converter and some power management relays all in one unit. Since the original component has been replaced, it's possible the system has been modified with a new inverter/charger and probably a new ATS, it may have been modded in other ways.

The OEM unit died and couldn't be repaired, so the repair center installed the Magnum. What else went with it isn't known to me; I just wanted to get as good or better as a replacement. I'm going to go with twinboat and others about turning the unit Off when not on SP, and Monday will tell us whether the voltage stayed about the same with the inverter Off.

[dfuelman]

Originally Posted by twinboat

That's not what a Echo charger does. It only charges the chassis battery from the house battery, If the house battery is being charged by its charger.

You will still have a isolator or isolation solenoid for chassis to house charging.

How does the house battery charge while driving, if the generator is not running? I thought the echo charger would act in reverse and charge house battery once chassis battery was up to proper level.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by dfuelman

How does the house battery charge while driving, if the generator is not running? I thought the echo charger would act in reverse and charge house battery once chassis battery was up to proper level.

The echo charger only handle 15 amps, not enough to keep a working house bank fully charged.

You either have a diode isolator that takes the alternator output and splits it between the chassis and house battery OR a voltage sensing control that operates a large current solenoid.

The large current solenoid is connected to the chassis battery on one side and the house battery on the other.
The logic controler closes the solenoid to interconnect both battery banks, letting them charge together. Its like an automatic jumper cable.

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Not charging with engine running is bad isolation solenoid, very common issue.

Its also the same solenoid used for the boost switch, so cycling the boost switch, while listening for it, is how to locate it.

.

Rain or not this morning, I'm heading to the coach to try to find that solenoid, and have a couple of questions:
1. Given the connections, I would guess that it's very close to the batteries, but
2. If it's part of the boost process, could it be around the dashboard instead?
3. If I find it, is this a generic thing that can be bought at an auto parts store, or are they specific as far as voltage or internals?

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

Rain or not this morning, I'm heading to the coach to try to find that solenoid, and have a couple of questions:
1. Given the connections, I would guess that it's very close to the batteries, but
2. If it's part of the boost process, could it be around the dashboard instead?
3. If I find it, is this a generic thing that can be bought at an auto parts store, or are they specific as far as voltage or internals?

OK, all is well, the solenoid is in the engine compartment directly below the hatch cover, and I'll call Spartan to see whether it is 100A or 200A.

[triplewide]

You may have two solenoids with battery cables connected to them, each in a different part of the coach. The "salesman switch" operates one and another is for battery isolation. They usually are not extremely expensive if you did change both. Not a bad idea for preventative maintenance. They take a lot of high current connect/disconnect abuse.


I replaced the isolation relay in my gas Miramar:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1




Hopefully your solenoid will have a legible name plate to help you find the correct replacement.

[Talloaks]

Originally Posted by dfuelman

How does the house battery charge while driving, if the generator is not running? I thought the echo charger would act in reverse and charge house battery once chassis battery was up to proper level.

The Echo Charger has a specific input connection and a specific output connection. The logic is not symmetrical/bidirectional. It monitors voltage on both sides, but only charges in one direction. The manual provides a clear explanation.

As noted by others, one of a couple of other devices provides capability to charge the house batteries from the chassis system when the engine is running. In the case of my Country Coach, that device is a switch rated for 200 amps, actuated by engine oil pressure.

[2cyber71]

Mine charges everything in my all electric MH.
Winnebago made sure by putting a 240 amp alternator in this 450 ISL Cummins MH.
I think it’s the same one they put in the 600 Cummins
It’s interesting that the Winnebago Horizon 42Q has the 240 amp alternator and the 40 A has a 160amp alternator. I don’t know why they skimped on the 40A. It has all the same systems and 3 AC, Sam fridge, same aqua hot, same fireplace, same dishwasher and washer & dryer.
I know when I start driving my batteries are fully charged in a very short time. It’s amazing.
Much different than my 2007 had with the 160 amp alternator.

[dfuelman]

Originally Posted by twinboat

The echo charger only handle 15 amps, not enough to keep a working house bank fully charged.

You either have a diode isolator that takes the alternator output and splits it between the chassis and house battery OR a voltage sensing control that operates a large current solenoid.

The large current solenoid is connected to the chassis battery on one side and the house battery on the other.
The logic controler closes the solenoid to interconnect both battery banks, letting them charge together. Its like an automatic jumper cable.

Thank you for that explanation Twinboat.