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Old 05-26-2007, 12:56 PM   #1
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Have less than 3000 mi. on '07 Winne Tour, 400 Cummins, lately when I first start up: msg.center says "Auto Idle System Voltage 13.5V, Threshold 13.4V". Those numbers don't seem out of line to me? Sometimes the first one is 13.6 or 13.7, but gen. around 13.5. If I move the display selector it goes away. No audibles. Should I be concerned with this. I've been through all the manuals and can't find ANYthing re: this issue? Thanks
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Old 05-26-2007, 12:56 PM   #2
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Have less than 3000 mi. on '07 Winne Tour, 400 Cummins, lately when I first start up: msg.center says "Auto Idle System Voltage 13.5V, Threshold 13.4V". Those numbers don't seem out of line to me? Sometimes the first one is 13.6 or 13.7, but gen. around 13.5. If I move the display selector it goes away. No audibles. Should I be concerned with this. I've been through all the manuals and can't find ANYthing re: this issue? Thanks
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Old 05-26-2007, 03:51 PM   #3
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My 2004 Meridian with a Cat C7 engine does the same thing, however I have noticed it only happens when the engine is cold. Warm restarts are no problem.

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Old 05-27-2007, 12:42 AM   #4
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I get that message on my 06 Tour but usually the voltage is slightly less than the threshold so I use the cruise control to set idle up a little higher (around 1000 I think) which boosts the voltage up until the engine is warm. There is some guidance concerning how to use the cruise control to raise the idle rpm in the CAT engine documentation. But like rv rick says, after the engine warms up it goes away anyway.

It seems odd that you would get that alarm at 13.5v if the threshold is 13.4v.
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Old 05-29-2007, 07:14 AM   #5
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On A Tour, welcome to IRV2.com.

The auto idle function will raise fast idle automatically to as high as necessary for the alternator to overcome the voltage. I've seen the auto-idle on my rig go as high as 1500 rpm if the batteries were down to 12volts. My obsesrvation is the auto-idle will kick in at threshold as well as below and fast idle will continue even if above threshold until you press the brake pedal. If initially the voltage is only one or two tenths below threshold then it takes only take about 10 seconds to overcome the deficit so you might have missed the voltage being initially below the threshold value.

I used to find I fell below threshold from parasitic draw in as little as three days. Then I added a Xantrex Echo-Charge to keep the chassis batteries charged up all and have not encountered auto-idle since. I still use the cruise control fast idle feature to aid in initial warm-up, getting the air pressure back up quicker after having been in one place for several day as well as hot idle for short stops.
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Old 05-29-2007, 07:22 PM   #6
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I mentioned this on another thread as well, but I went to start the coach yesterday and didn't have enough battery to crank it over, so I bussed the house stack for about 30sec before cranking. Once started I was surprised that the fast idle mode didn't ramp up the engine.

I also think that the little panel on the roof can't keep up with the various parasitic loads as well as replacing the internal resistance loss of the batteries.
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Old 05-30-2007, 05:27 AM   #7
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Many thanks to all of you for your responses. I will continue to monitor. The auto idle does kick in sometimes (@ 1000 rpm) but not always. Like some of you, I have used the cruise setting to get it there for quicker air-up, etc. This message is new and has been there on warm starts as well. The first time I rec'd the message, was a day after a full day's run and the coach had been plugged in to 50 amp svc. overnite as well. I don't think it's a battery issue unless one of them is bad, but I haven't checked individually with a hydrometer, etc.?
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Old 05-30-2007, 04:40 PM   #8
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Keep in mind the chassis/engine batteries do not charge when plugged into shoreline or genset. Also the 10-watt solar panel is only for the house batteries. Unless you use the Guest chassis battery disconnect in the engine bay then a Echo-Charge or Trik-L-Charge is needed for normal shutdowns of a week or more.

As far as parasitic draw goes another culprit many overlook is the Kwikee steps. They are wired directly into the chassis batteries. So turning the steps off when you land is a good part of the procedure.

This said, having the threshold trip after less than 24 hours isn't right. It might be tripping because low-voltage is occurring right after the 500+ amp draw for warm-up turning the motor over. If so then I'd suspect one or more of the cells are bad in one of the batteries.

Doing hygrometer test and inspecting water levels on the factory Alliance "maintenance free" chassis batteries is a PITA. You essentially have to disconnect everything, take off the mounting clamps and peel off the labels in order to pry the vent cover open. I think you'd be better off getting external load tests performed.

Do the chassis batteries in fact say "Alliance" on them? Chassis batteries are supplied by Freightliner and Alliance is the brand they use.

If they are Alliance IMHO you should call Freightliner (800-FTL-HELP) and review the whole situation in detail with them. They should open a case for you and instruct you to go to your FL Oasis dealer and have the batteries load tested there. If there is any issue I suspect they'll replace them for free since your in service date is probably within the last few months. If not they'll attempt to diagnose the real problem.

If they are not Alliance then the dealer replaced them while the rig was on their lot. You'll need to have the dealer do a load test and discuss replacing them if they do show up bad. If they are okay then you'll probably need to go the Freightliner route anyway.

Good luck.
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Old 05-30-2007, 05:11 PM   #9
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Hi Vicsryd, You said the engine batteries are not being charged,when plugged into shore power.
This is not true for my Newmar 05 KSDP,the RV batteries charge as soon as I am on shore power,but for the engine batteries I need to put the switch in the overhead cabinet from "store' to "use",then after about a minute I hear a click in the "Electric basement bay" and the voltage on the engine batteries goes to 13.53 VDC (float charge).
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Old 05-31-2007, 04:48 AM   #10
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I'm a little puzzled by your reply... you say the chassis/engine batteries do not charge when plugged into shoreline or genset----they must, as in both of my preceding rigs, I've never had an external charge. I do use the Guest disconnect feature regularly. But I am afraid you may be right about the bad cells. They are Alliance. Does anyone have an online connection to Freightliner to open a ticket or is it solely via phone?
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Old 05-31-2007, 06:06 AM   #11
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Don't know about online, but the phone # is 1-800-FTL HELP.

All Winnie diesels since 2006 have come standard with the Trik-L-start, which charges the engine batteries while plugged in to AC or genset. Mine is mounted in the front compartment on the firewall. Yours should have it too.
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Old 05-31-2007, 05:42 PM   #12
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> I was told by FL that for the newer XC chassis it is normal for them to go dead in 14 to 21 days with just the fl parasitic drains, not to mention the box builders drains, "even less days" I purchased the trickle start last week.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
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Old 06-03-2007, 02:27 PM   #13
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by siggyd:
Hi Vicsryd, You said the engine batteries are not being charged,when plugged into shore power.
This is not true for my Newmar 05 KSDP,the RV batteries charge as soon as I am on shore power,but for the engine batteries I need to put the switch in the overhead cabinet from "store' to "use",then after about a minute I hear a click in the "Electric basement bay" and the voltage on the engine batteries goes to 13.53 VDC (float charge). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
What you have is a Newmar specific feature then. I had to add a Xantrex Echo-Charge on my Winnie to accomplish the same thing.
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