Community Forums

NavyChief200 · 02-25-2018, 04:57 PM

OK, need some help. I have my 36 Ft Class A stored in my garage. It's not always heated, but it's plugged in and out of the weather. So, I was sliding underneath to get to the other side when it started getting harder to fit. Not believing I'm gaining weight, I felt the RV was settling. SO I thought I would reset the levelers and bring it to the original height when I brought it in the garage. Now this has been plugged in to 30 amp service since November. I checked the house batteries, charge is good. The chassis charge is 24 volts. Nothing wants to work. All the dash lights flash, the low air beepers work, the leveling lights are going crazy. And it won't start. Thought it might help if I started it. Nope. The levelers came off the ground, but not seated. Won't go back down. Engine won't start, Generator won't start. What's up.

twinboat · 02-25-2018, 05:51 PM

Dirty battery connections or just run down batteries. Not sure where you got a 24 volt reading.

If you have a boost switch try that. If it starts, your going to have to find the problem with the chassis batteries.

ftodaro · 02-25-2018, 07:38 PM

I would unplug your power, then hook up a volt meter or multi meter to your batteries and get an accurate reading of your battery health, that will go a long way in finding the problem. Not sure where you got 24 volts unless you have your device set on the wrong setting, Check it again and get some data. If your getting power to the coach but not enough power to start it, its most likely either the connections or the batteries themselves.

2 Stroker · 02-26-2018, 12:21 PM

Like Frank said, 24 volts you have your device set on the wrong setting.
If your house batteries are up and plugged into shore power sounds like your chassis batteries are dead. I don't thing you have an echo charger that keeps your chassis battery charged when plugged in to shore power. Here is an EZ install if you don't have one installed.
AMP-L-START Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer - Overview Page
My daughter has an 2005 36' Monaco Safari Cheetah had the same problem.
My coach had the xantrex echo charger that went bad and I installed the Magnum Combiner works great.
2 stroker

rgvtexan · 02-26-2018, 02:15 PM

I am not going to comment on your battery problem, looks like you have plenty of help.

BUT! Your first mistake was sliding under the MH while it is on the jacks. What if it had come down while you were under there? You wouldn't need to worry about the battery.

Next time put it on ramps or get some jack stands or cribbing under it FIRST.

Good Luck on the electrical problem..

Welcome to iRV2 and THANKS for your Service.

Quincy · 02-26-2018, 06:32 PM

Dont know why you would blame the coach batteries if the meter says 24 volts. Battery connections is another story. You did not say DP or Gas but you did say 24 volts so I will go with DP. It is possible for a battery reading full charge and still not capable of starting the motor but that is rare. It is possible for a battery cable to develop a coating that insulates it from the starter solenoid and motor that wont deliver voltage until it is moved a little to wipe off that coating. This usually happens on cables that are tight to the "feel" but not tight enough to form a good conducting contact. This condition is more likely when the rig is sitting for a time and I believe it requires a connection that is loose as I described and has power going through it.

First try to jump with battery boost switch. If no go then...

Loosen the battery connections, move back and forth and re tighten with a wrench. If no luck. Find the last place voltage exists by tracing the wires from the batteries to the starter try to find out where the power is lost.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

ftodaro · 02-26-2018, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quincy

Dont know why you would blame the coach batteries if the meter says 24 volts.

I am not a mechanic and admittedly my experience is limited to just my coach, but is there such a thing as a 24volt system in a motor home application? I am thinking its a 12 volt system and that the readings are not accurate because of the settings on his multi meter, but i could be wrong.

twinboat · 02-26-2018, 07:56 PM

I'm thinking it was reading 2 . 4 volts. Very dead.

Soppy · 02-27-2018, 11:43 AM

Quite possible your charger failed and the batteries are dead. Turn on the headlights and measure the voltage again. Do any of the interior lights work? Recheck your meter setting as you should not have read 24 volts on the battery bank.

NavyChief200 · 03-01-2018, 11:32 AM

Had the meter on the wrong setting. It's a 12 volt system. Batteries were just a few volts low. I'm plugged into my garage with 110. So I don't think the batteries are getting fully charges. The 4, 6 volt ones are. It's the two 12 volt house batt that were a little low.

NavyChief200 · 03-01-2018, 11:36 AM

Thanks, the house batteries were a little low. Charged them up and all is well.

ftodaro · 03-02-2018, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyChief200

Thanks, the house batteries were a little low. Charged them up and all is well.

Glad you got your issue fixed. I keep an eye on the batteries, I check the water level and keep the full. Nothing worse that needing battery power and not having it.

2 Stroker · 03-02-2018, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyChief200

Had the meter on the wrong setting. It's a 12 volt system. Batteries were just a few volts low. I'm plugged into my garage with 110. So I don't think the batteries are getting fully charges. The 4, 6 volt ones are. It's the two 12 volt house batt that were a little low.

I may be wrong but I think the 4 (6V batteries) are your house batteries and the 2 (12V batteries) are your chassis batteries. I would keep an eye on the 2 (12V batteries) to see if they come up on a charge plugged into your house 110.
2 stroker