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znt1186 · 04-03-2017, 10:01 AM

Ok, went to start the coach yesterday after sitting plugged in all winter. Switched the key on and nothing but an "x" out display on the transmission shifter. No dash lights, not solenoid clicks, nothing. Batteries are three years old, so must be dead chassis batteries. Connected charger on a 15 amp charge and went back into the coach and turned on the switch within just a couple of minutes. Not enough time to charge the batteries. Everything lights up and the coach fired right up. Disconnected the charger and let the coach run awhile. Shut it down and went to try again a few hours later. No problems, fired right up.

A similar situation happened about three years ago, except I had power to the dash lights but no response on the start command. Had it checked out and no one found any problems.

Any insights would be appreciated.

LarrytheBear · 04-03-2017, 10:12 AM

Perhaps when plugged in only the house batteries are being charged.

Did you try the emergency start switch?

znt1186 · 04-03-2017, 10:33 AM

No, just hooked up the charger. Really puzzled as to how in less than 2 minutes on the charger, everything came on and it started right up.

LarrytheBear · 04-03-2017, 11:17 AM

It could be that since your batteries are only three years old and should still be good, that there is a corroded or loose connection and the boost from the charger was enough to get past the bad connection.

Dupdyke · 04-03-2017, 01:10 PM

Don't know a lot about allegro but in my dynasty there are two relays in front run elect bay that get pitted and you can get no dash or 12v to anything. I took vom and checked last time and went to napa and bought new ones and it has been fine for two years look at wire diagram

Rkesselus · 04-03-2017, 01:21 PM

I tend to agree with Larry I have the same situation with my house battery bank. Nothing after sitting a few weeks with on board charger working. power to system until I hit the system with an external battery charger and instantly I had power. Cleaned the terminals and all is ok Richard.

znt1186 · 04-04-2017, 07:13 AM

Thanks for the helpful responses. I will check the connections this weekend. FYI, after that first jolt, it is starting fine now.

Kiawah · 04-04-2017, 10:45 PM

You need someway of trickle charging chassis batteries, if you don't have one.

On my Tiffin, it came with a BatteryMinder 1500 (1.5 amp) which I still have and does the job. The Battery Minder is a little trickle charger/desulfater, which plugs into a 120v outlet.

Many have installed Amp-L-Start, which will divert some power from the house batteries to charge the chassis, up to 15 amps. You install this at your charge solenoid, where all the wires you need are already in place. (house battery 12v, chassis battery 12v, and ground). Easy install.

Dtwallace · 04-04-2017, 11:18 PM

Sounds like that main solenoid that comes into play when you first turn your ing switch on, the name escapes me at the moment.

You should have been able to just use your E-start switch to jolt it back into service. I suspect it was not your batteries at all, but the solenoid is worn from corrosion inside. This was a temporary condition that for now has cleared it's self, but the solenoid will need replacement eventually.

If and when this occurs again, try the E-start first, this will help diagnose the problem eliminating that part of the circuit if it works.

DTW