Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Class A Motorhome Discussions
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-12-2019, 09:53 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
C5c5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
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!
C5c5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 10-12-2019, 10:00 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
FIRE UP's Avatar


 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,901
Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5 View Post
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!
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)!
FIRE UP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 10:03 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Poppy01's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Vintage RV Owners Club
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Washington
Posts: 287
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
Poppy01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 10:19 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Ljwt330's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Capistrano Beach, California
Posts: 4,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5 View Post
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!

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.
Ljwt330 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 10:20 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
C5c5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
Quote:
Originally Posted by FIRE UP View Post
Do we have any idea what year/make/model/engine/trans/chassis we're being asked about?

Scott
1994 Fleetwood Pace Arrow
Ford Engine
C5c5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 10:29 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
C5c5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ljwt330 View Post
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.
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?
C5c5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 11:22 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
winniman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Muskoka Ontario Canada
Posts: 3,142
Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5 View Post
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?
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
winniman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 01:45 PM   #8
Moderator Emeritus
 
Gary RVRoamer's Avatar


 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,563
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?
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?
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
Gary RVRoamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2019, 04:37 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
C5c5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer View Post
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
For the adapter, is it safe to use an extension cord from the house? If so, is higher gague recommended?
C5c5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2019, 11:59 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
C5c5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Minne-so-cold
Posts: 708
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?
C5c5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2019, 01:43 PM   #11
Member
 
HaroldPE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Niles, MI
Posts: 30
Quote:
Originally Posted by C5c5 View Post
For the adapter, is it safe to use an extension cord from the house? If so, is higher gague recommended?


Yes, extension cords are fine (no air conditioner running)
__________________
Tent > Popup > Hybrid TT > Cl A 2017 FR GT5R5
HaroldPE is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
battery, battery disconnect



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
When do I turn battery disconnect off? Hawkygramz Newmar Owner's Forum 8 10-08-2019 06:59 PM
DRL won't turn off till bat switch is turned off Cfnocn Monaco Owner's Forum 3 03-12-2017 03:55 AM
Norcold N641 turned off overnight, won't turn on user293 RV Systems & Appliances 4 08-11-2016 11:22 AM
Battery disconnect won't disconnect sudane National RV Owner's Forum 44 05-06-2015 08:02 PM
House disconnect switch turned on-No lights frederick w Winnebago Industries Owner's Forum 3 11-25-2013 08:15 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.