Who can solve the MYSTERY?

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by Khi1500

Alternator out or belt missing

Others have said that the alternator's juice can't charge batteries if one of them has a dead cell. My ScanGage showed mid 14V charging during the drive, and that's actually higher than normal (13.8-13.9).

Also, the aux genset was running all the time, so it would be supplying volts if the alternator had gone out.

As it happened, the coach started and we got home, but ScanGage was still reading high output. Once the second starting battery was replaced, all went back to normal.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Hi Rick-

So it's sorted out then? I've followed the thread to date and while it looks like you're on the right track, post back in a month and update us. I'm with the folks who think there's still something else that prevents your batteries from getting a full charge but I can't say for sure what it might be.

To solve a mystery? Scooby Doo, and the Mystery Machine, of course!

[bamaboy473]

Alas, the coach will be sitting next to the house for several months until we leave again, but it's connected to SP and the house charging gauge is reading normal. Float charge around 13.3V

I think that Twinboat and others sorted this out by confirming that 8.5 years is end of life for most batteries, and the dead cell could have caused all of the other problems (transmission, no aux start, dead camera).

I now have 2 new starting batteries and all gauges appear normal, so let's hope that all's well. I'll start the coach each month and run it for 15 minutes, and will be sure to pay special attention to the charging circuits.

[RKins]

Originally Posted by twinboat

That could be a high idle issue.

This ole buggy doesn't have high idle ;-)

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

Alas, the coach will be sitting next to the house for several months until we leave again, but it's connected to SP and the house charging gauge is reading normal. Float charge around 13.3V

I think that Twinboat and others sorted this out by confirming that 8.5 years is end of life for most batteries, and the dead cell could have caused all of the other problems (transmission, no aux start, dead camera).

I now have 2 new starting batteries and all gauges appear normal, so let's hope that all's well. I'll start the coach each month and run it for 15 minutes, and will be sure to pay special attention to the charging circuits.

Yeah, 8 years is a long time. Good luck when you're traveling again, and let us know that the fix is still fixed!

[RKins]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

Alas, the coach will be sitting next to the house for several months until we leave again, but it's connected to SP and the house charging gauge is reading normal. Float charge around 13.3V

I now have 2 new starting batteries and all gauges appear normal, so let's hope that all's well. I'll start the coach each month and run it for 15 minutes, and will be sure to pay special attention to the charging circuits.

So you don't have it plugged in next to the house? It only takes a 120V connection We haven't talked about if you have a BIRD system or not - this system manages the charging of both banks once the house bank is charged.

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by RKins

So you don't have it plugged in next to the house? It only takes a 120V connection We haven't talked about if you have a BIRD system or not - this system manages the charging of both banks once the house bank is charged.

...connected to SP and the house charging gauge is reading normal.

Sounds like it’s plugged in.

What’s your interpretation of those words?

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

...connected to SP and the house charging gauge is reading normal.

Sounds like it’s plugged in.

You're correct, of course. The gauge is the one in the coach that monitors inverter, charger functions.

[RKins]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

...connected to SP and the house charging gauge is reading normal.

Sounds like it’s plugged in.

What’s your interpretation of those words?

Thanks for that arrogant response! Too many abbreviations/acronyms used here.

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by RKins

So you don't have it plugged in next to the house? It only takes a 120V connection We haven't talked about if you have a BIRD system or not - this system manages the charging of both banks once the house bank is charged.

It seemed appropriate given the statement/assumption in the form of a question, the Captain Obvious 120V remark, the BIRD acronym and the further assumption that the OP knows nothing about the charging system on the coach.

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by RKins

Thanks for that arrogant response! Too many abbreviations/acronyms used here.

Don't be a jerk, we're here to learn and share information. If you don't know that SP means Shore Power, then ask. It's a pretty common term, especially when used in context.

Likewise, I have no idea what BIRD means, and it doesn't seems to relate to my coach since the Magnum handles SP, genset and inverter power on it's own, without my help.

Why don't you explain what BIRD means in relation to the OP, so we can get one more acronym into our books?

[RVPioneer]

It’s a Bi-directional Isolator Relay Delay. A device that allows both house and chassis batteries to be charged when either bank is being charged.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

It’s a Bi-directional Isolator Relay Delay. A device that allows both house and chassis batteries to be charged when either bank is being charged.

I thought BIRD was a Sesame Street character!

[bamaboy473]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

It’s a Bi-directional Isolator Relay Delay. A device that allows both house and chassis batteries to be charged when either bank is being charged.

Are these things add-ons, or are they part of a modern system? Seems that it would be internal to the inverter/chargers we have installed.

While it doesn't apply to the OP, a little knowledge is always nice to get.