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10-12-2019, 09:53 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
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Turned on Battery Disconnect- How to Turn on?
Day before last, I was working around the motorhome and switched both battery (aux and main) disconnect switches to the off position. I heard what sounded like a circuit breaker sound. I then waited a few seconds and pushed both back on. I did not hear any switching noise.
Yesterday I tried starting the motorhome and all I got was 1 weak idiot light (cant remember which one).
I checked on the stove where all the coach levels are shown and the battery level was at the lowest-red. It had been at the highest only a few days before when I had re-done the roof.
Im assuming I missed something in the process to get the batteries back online.
Help!
Also, another newbie question: how do I hook up my coach to my house power?
Thanks!
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10-12-2019, 10:00 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,901
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5
Day before last, I was working around the motorhome and switched both battery (aux and main) disconnect switches to the off position. I heard what sounded like a circuit breaker sound. I then waited a few seconds and pushed both back on. I did not hear any switching noise.
Yesterday I tried starting the motorhome and all I got was 1 weak idiot light (cant remember which one).
I checked on the stove where all the coach levels are shown and the battery level was at the lowest-red. It had been at the highest only a few days before when I had re-done the roof.
Im assuming I missed something in the process to get the batteries back online.
Help!
Also, another newbie question: how do I hook up my coach to my house power?
Thanks!
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Do we have any idea what year/make/model/engine/trans/chassis we're being asked about?
Scott
__________________
2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
Me, Karla and the Heidi character, (mini Schnauzer)!
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10-12-2019, 10:03 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Vintage RV Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Washington
Posts: 287
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Check for a second "salesman switch". I have one at the door and one on the dash. I've had occasions when one was tripped and it wouldn't reenergize. I had to use the dash switch to reenergize.
__________________
JR & Trouble
USAF Ret. Space Jockey
Traveling with Mags and Little Boy Blue
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10-12-2019, 10:19 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Capistrano Beach, California
Posts: 4,465
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5
Day before last, I was working around the motorhome and switched both battery (aux and main) disconnect switches to the off position. I heard what sounded like a circuit breaker sound. I then waited a few seconds and pushed both back on. I did not hear any switching noise.
Yesterday I tried starting the motorhome and all I got was 1 weak idiot light (cant remember which one).
I checked on the stove where all the coach levels are shown and the battery level was at the lowest-red. It had been at the highest only a few days before when I had re-done the roof.
Im assuming I missed something in the process to get the batteries back online.
Help!
Also, another newbie question: how do I hook up my coach to my house power?
Thanks!
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Please note the bold in your OP. I understand this to mean that you had disconnected the batteries and then turned the battery switches back ON. If that's the case, over the course of a few days, it's quite possible that the batteries drained, especially if you had some devices turned on and the batteries themselves were old or had not been maintained.
In short, there are things we need to know, as mentioned by the previous poster, as well as the condition of your batteries. Advising how to connect to shore power will depend on your coach make and model to be completely accurate. In the meantime, you can connect a charger to the battery banks to charge them. Charging the entire house bank from the alternator, once you get the engine started, is not recommended as that will strain the alternator.
__________________
Larry, Eileen, and Finley
2004 Alpine 36FDDS
Third motor home, first Alpine, no need for another.
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10-12-2019, 10:20 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIRE UP
Do we have any idea what year/make/model/engine/trans/chassis we're being asked about?
Scott
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1994 Fleetwood Pace Arrow
Ford Engine
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10-12-2019, 10:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ljwt330
Please note the bold in your OP. I understand this to mean that you had disconnected the batteries and then turned the battery switches back ON. If that's the case, over the course of a few days, it's quite possible that the batteries drained, especially if you had some devices turned on and the batteries themselves were old or had not been maintained.
In short, there are things we need to know, as mentioned by the previous poster, as well as the condition of your batteries. Advising how to connect to shore power will depend on your coach make and model to be completely accurate. In the meantime, you can connect a charger to the battery banks to charge them. Charging the entire house bank from the alternator, once you get the engine started, is not recommended as that will strain the alternator.
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When I winterized, I pretty much shut everything down that I could that required power. All circuit breakers to appliances, all lights, etc are off. The only item Im aware of that still works from the battery besides normal driving gadgets is the retractible entry stairs.
How do I separate the charging of the house batteries from the alternator since Ill need to get the coach started and running again?
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10-12-2019, 11:22 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Muskoka Ontario Canada
Posts: 3,142
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5
When I winterized, I pretty much shut everything down that I could that required power. All circuit breakers to appliances, all lights, etc are off. The only item Im aware of that still works from the battery besides normal driving gadgets is the retractible entry stairs.
How do I separate the charging of the house batteries from the alternator since Ill need to get the coach started and running again?
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If you can start the generator, start it, and let it charge up the batteries a while before starting the engine. People say it wont hurt the alternator, but I have seen in two instances where the alternator failed after having completely dead batteries. Probably just a coincidence, but for hundreds of dollars in parts, and the hours to change out, I would just start the generator. Boost it if you have to. JMHO.
__________________
2000 coachmen santara 370 5.9 cummins isb
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10-12-2019, 01:45 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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Quote:
How do I separate the charging of the house batteries from the alternator since Ill need to get the coach started and running again?
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The two systems are inherently separate and only get cross-connected for certain specific times & actions. Basically, when the engine runs a solenoid is activated to cross-connect the house and chassis battery for alternator charging. Other wise, they get connected when you press the Aux Start (aka Emergency Start) switch on the dash.
You can jump start the engine just as you would a car - just connect to the chassis battery terminals with the jumper cables.
Quote:
Also, another newbie question: how do I hook up my coach to my house power?
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Plug the coach shore cord into an outlet. The coach probably has a 30A shore cord/plug, so you will probably want a 30A-->15A adapter plug, available at Walmart or any RV store. If you have an outlet at the house that looks like it might accept the prongs on the RV plug, DON'T USE IT until you can verify that it is wired for 120v power rather than 220v. Older houses may have 220v dryer outlets and garages or workshops may have 220v welder outlets, either of which will fry the coach electronics.
https://www.amazon.com/Female-Electr.../dp/B00QQYWJD0
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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10-12-2019, 04:37 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer
The two systems are inherently separate and only get cross-connected for certain specific times & actions. Basically, when the engine runs a solenoid is activated to cross-connect the house and chassis battery for alternator charging. Other wise, they get connected when you press the Aux Start (aka Emergency Start) switch on the dash.
You can jump start the engine just as you would a car - just connect to the chassis battery terminals with the jumper cables.
Plug the coach shore cord into an outlet. The coach probably has a 30A shore cord/plug, so you will probably want a 30A-->15A adapter plug, available at Walmart or any RV store. If you have an outlet at the house that looks like it might accept the prongs on the RV plug, DON'T USE IT until you can verify that it is wired for 120v power rather than 220v. Older houses may have 220v dryer outlets and garages or workshops may have 220v welder outlets, either of which will fry the coach electronics.
https://www.amazon.com/Female-Electr.../dp/B00QQYWJD0
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For the adapter, is it safe to use an extension cord from the house? If so, is higher gague recommended?
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10-13-2019, 11:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
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Just went out to start my Generator. No start for now. Ill have to troubleshoot later when I have time. Are there any other good alternatives for recharging the house batteries without using the alternator?
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10-13-2019, 01:43 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Niles, MI
Posts: 30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5
For the adapter, is it safe to use an extension cord from the house? If so, is higher gague recommended?
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Yes, extension cords are fine (no air conditioner running)
__________________
Tent > Popup > Hybrid TT > Cl A 2017 FR GT5R5
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