Community Forums

Java6122 · 11-10-2022, 12:27 PM

While driving the house batteries are not charging and domestic frig drains the batteries. There is an electric solenoid between the starting and house batteries for the auxiliary start. If this solenoid has failed could this be the cause? I’ve replaced the solenoid over the years a couple of times but before I installed the Samsung.
The frig is plugged into the invert outlet and stays on while driving but drains the house batteries.
Got caught while riding out hurricane Ian in a SC Walmart parking lot for a couple of days. Watched too much Nexflex and drained the house batteries. The Oman gen starts off of the house batteries we were stuck. Drove for eight house the third day to a campground in FL and before plugging in I checked the house batteries and they were flat. The frig was off for a day and a half (no problem).

wolfe10 · 11-10-2022, 12:40 PM

Java6122,

Welcome to iRV2.

Please tell us what coach you have.

There are several different ways that coaches can be wired to charge both battery banks from the alternator. We don' know which system you have.

It could be a diode-based battery isolator

It could be a solenoid-based battery isolator or even a "smart" solenoid-based/bi-directional battery isolator.

Short term fix would be to wire both banks together at some convenient location like the boost solenoid. That would allow both banks to charge from the alternator or from shore power (converter or battery charger), BUT would also allow them to discharge together unless you separate the wires when no charging source is available.

Java6122 · 11-10-2022, 01:08 PM

The rig is a 39R 2006 Fleetwood Providence with a Cat pusher.
Without the hurricane rains at the time I thought about using my jumpers to go between the starting and house batteries.
Pos-to-Pos / Neg-to-Neg

twinboat · 11-10-2022, 01:17 PM

You can use a jumper positive to positive, no need for negetive, both banks are grounded to chassis.

Yes, the solenoid serves as the boost start and bridging solenoid for charging while the engine is running.

wolfe10 · 11-10-2022, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Java6122

The rig is a 39R 2006 Fleetwood Providence with a Cat pusher.
Without the hurricane rains at the time I thought about using my jumpers to go between the starting and house batteries.
Pos-to-Pos / Neg-to-Neg

Yup, only need to jump the positives.

But, do NOT drive with jumper cables connected. If either end jumped off, you would have a dead short and potential fire.

153stars · 11-10-2022, 05:14 PM

Moving the pos cables at solenoid to one lug will jump them. A nut and bolt taped up if easier.Remember will drain together as well when not charging. 2006 probably uses the solenoid to at least charge house from alternator. The combine solenoid contacts going bad seems to be very common.

Java6122 · 11-11-2022, 09:03 AM

Many thanks guys for the info ! I’ve ordered up a new solenoid from Amazon and will install.
We can end this feed.
Again thanks and I hope that this saved me 3 hrs of troubleshooting (treasure hunting)@ $150/ hr at my friendly repair shop.

triplewide · 11-11-2022, 06:03 PM

You (OP) may want to check the condition of your coach batteries. I have needed to replace a couple of solenoids on coaches in the past. Both times the replacement was needed after low/dead coach battery conditions.

Arch Hoagland · 11-11-2022, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Java6122

Many thanks guys for the info ! I’ve ordered up a new solenoid from Amazon and will install.
We can end this feed.
Again thanks and I hope that this saved me 3 hrs of troubleshooting (treasure hunting)@ $150/ hr at my friendly repair shop.

Let us know if that cures the problem.

Iceclimber · 11-11-2022, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Java6122

Many thanks guys for the info ! I’ve ordered up a new solenoid from Amazon and will install.
We can end this feed.
Again thanks and I hope that this saved me 3 hrs of troubleshooting (treasure hunting)@ $150/ hr at my friendly repair shop.

Check out a VSR as an option. I see people replacing birds and other old solenoids with the same old stuff and paying through the nose.

Uncle Bern · 12-01-2022, 01:25 PM

I have the same issue on a 2009 Tiffin Allegro Bay 37QDB. House batteries do not charge while driving. They do charge off shore power, or off generator. Just not while driving. I am electrically challenged. I have been told there may be a charging solenoid that is bad. Any Tiffin folks know about this that can help with directions and how to fix/replace?

SJ-Chris · 12-01-2022, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bern

I have the same issue on a 2009 Tiffin Allegro Bay 37QDB. House batteries do not charge while driving. They do charge off shore power, or off generator. Just not while driving. I am electrically challenged. I have been told there may be a charging solenoid that is bad. Any Tiffin folks know about this that can help with directions and how to fix/replace?

I don't know where it is on your particular RV. But I can share some good new with you (and anyone else with this problem)... These solenoids are usually pretty inexpensive and usually pretty easy to replace yourself. Overall, not an expensive fix (...assuming that is your problem).

Good luck!
Chris

shootist · 12-01-2022, 04:03 PM

Replace the solinoid with a blue seas acr . Get the one that comes with the switch. You can bolt it in, hook up the battery cables and use the manual knob to combine or disconnect until you get somewhere to wire in the switch. It has off, auto and manual combine positions.
Lifetime warranty. Many of us with the big boy relays have gone to it. Eliminates the BIRD from controlling it. They love to combine but never unhook. They buzz as well. The contacts on the big boys go bad yearly.

twinboat · 12-01-2022, 04:27 PM

If you have any thoughts of going to lithium batteries in the near future, just replace the solenoid for now.
No need to spend a bunch of money converting to other combining systems that are not lithium compatible.