Community Forums

Shipwreck429 · 05-12-2011, 10:45 AM

My wife and I just bought a 2001 Dynasty King. We have been camping for almost two weeks now since we came back from North Carolina to Georgia. This past Sunday the Carbon Monoxide detector gave me an indication it was time to change it (the date stamped inside was from March 2000 so I guess it was) so I did put a new one in. Last night after we went to bed it started the beeping with the red-green indications for replacing and then started 3 chirps every so often. I opened the windows and all the beeping stopped. When I got up this morning the system was dead (no indicator lights showing) and so was the control for the automatic tv antenna. I had to leave for work but I am now wondering if I might not have things properly aligned for the batteries to be charged. When I check the pad for checking tanks, battery etc, it shows the batteries are fully charged. There is a solar panel on top so I am curious to see if when I get home in a couple of hours if the lights on those two components are back on again. I have an auto-matic sensor porch light that was "bright-light" indicating it was working and it did when I opened the door. Just wondering if maybe some of the 12v stuff is working off a different circuit and maybe the CO detector and antenna controller are on another one?

paz · 05-12-2011, 03:37 PM

Hi Shipwreck, welcome to iRV2.

Just a couple of thoughts and questions about your problem.

It sounds like you might have a blown fuse, but I really wonder why you were getting a replacement indication on the new alarm or why it quit when you opened the window.

When you read the battery charge were you hooked up to shore power? If so, the reading you got indicated that there was a charge going to the batteries, not what the charge level of the batteries is.

Have you checked the water level in the batteries? If the batteries are being overgharged, they will give off hydrogen gas which can sometimes set off the CO or the LP alarm.

wa8yxm · 05-12-2011, 03:59 PM

Sounds like LOW BATTERY to me as well.. Does it use self contained or does it run on 12VDC

Tha_Rooster · 05-12-2011, 05:28 PM

Also you probably have a original equipment solar panel and I would not count on it doing much.

RV Wizard · 05-13-2011, 02:25 AM

Off gassing of the battery bank can cause safety alarms to alert. How old are the batteries? You may have a bad bank. Test and replace if necessary and let us know how it goes.

Shipwreck429 · 05-13-2011, 03:49 AM

Thanks all for your responses. I checked with hydrometer yesterday all batteries, the 4 six volt batteries floated all 4 balls in the hydrometer but the cranking battery only floated 1 ball in 5 of the six cells and 2 balls in the other. Time for a new one of those as the voltmeter (portable showed only 7.9 volts yesterday and the on board meter showed 6.3 this morning. Will have to pick one up on the way home from work.

The CO detector is hard-wired into the 12v system but I'm wondering if it is somehow wired to the chassis battery as it died again last night as well as the electric control for the antenna once the sun went down and the solar panel wasn't getting sun. I think the signals the CO detector sets off are low voltage alerts but I have found in the paperwork that came with it that it will do that.

Thanks again...
Rick

Dmiles · 05-13-2011, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paz

Hi Shipwreck, welcome to iRV2.

If the batteries are being overgharged, they will give off hydrogen gas which can sometimes set off the CO or the LP alarm.

And is extremely flammable! Think Hindenburg. Nice work testing the batteries, and replacing the crank battery. Hopefully, that was it. Keep us posted.

paz · 05-13-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipwreck429

The CO detector is hard-wired into the 12v system but I'm wondering if it is somehow wired to the chassis battery as it died again last night as well as the electric control for the antenna once the sun went down and the solar panel wasn't getting sun. I think the signals the CO detector sets off are low voltage alerts but I have found in the paperwork that came with it that it will do that.

Thanks again...
Rick

You may be on to something there. They may have wired the CO detector to the chassis battery so it remains operational at all times. The house batteries usually have a disconnect switch.

You didn't say how big the solar panel is, but lots of times it will just be a small unit that is only used to keep the chassis battery charged during storage. That would fit with the scenario you describe.

wa8yxm · 05-13-2011, 08:19 AM

Sounds like your chassis battery is not charged by the house converter.

First: those floating ball hydrometers... In your case it appears it has found a problem but.. I don't put much faith in them. I like the old style better. But then I know how to use it (Assoicates in applied science is one of my college degrees/certificates, Electronics is the other one)

If, as I suspect, the house converter does not charge the chassis, Two products,, And temp, a 3rd

1: Trick-l-start (Google for it)
2: Xantrex Echo Charger

Both are simple 3-wire hook up, both do the same job, Tricl-l-start is less expensiv.. The three wires.. At the isolator, be it diode or solenoid.

One wire to the CHASSIS BATTERY terminal
ONe wire to the HOUSE BATTERY terminal
Third wire to GROUND.

TEMP use.. Jumper able (Automotive type) one only, Positive chassis to Positive house.. If possible hook up "Remotly" from the batteries.. At 1-2 blls the chassis battery is dead enough it may well not recover.. but try it and see

personally. I like to put some resistance in that line. I have some 12 volt clip on lamps (One is a clamp on lamp like you might use on the headboard of a bed, the other is a "Trouble lamp" both are in the 50-100 watt range (you can get 12 volt bulbs at many hardware or auto stores in this range) I use them for this kind of thing when I need to charge a very dead battery.. They work well, and they limit the current to safe levels. And.. What's more.. When you need light to say change a tire along side the road at night... Well....... That is what they are DESIGNED for.

But I'd pick up such a light at your local Auto store and simply hook it across the isolator relay or diode box for a few days.. Notice how bright/dim the lamp is, if the lamp dims down over a few days, GOOD, if it remains bright, time for a new chassis battery.

Shipwreck429 · 05-14-2011, 06:58 AM

Good morning all,

Just to let you know, I put a new chassis battery in yesterday afternoon and all systems are go...no alarms going off in the middle of the night due to low voltage. Thanks for all the tips. I will be sure to remember them for future issues.

garym114 · 05-14-2011, 08:08 AM

Your problems are not fixed. Your chassis battery is not charging when plugged in. Your problem will return after your MH sits for a couple of weeks.

Shipwreck429 · 05-16-2011, 05:18 AM

garym114,

Why do you say that? Do I need to add a charger of some sort? Wondering why 2 previous owners would not have done that? Maybe they were full-timers and the alternator did all the charging?

keith samrow · 05-16-2011, 01:46 PM

Hello,
I'm new to this site so here is my penny
I have a 2002 HR and the chassis battery does drain after sitting. They did not install a charger for the chassis battery at the factory. Guess they thought we would use it enought to keep it charged.