Community Forums

EDZ SIG · 07-11-2015, 05:15 PM

Hi EV1 - I have a 2003 Monaco Signiture 40 ft. and the new chassis batteries went dead for some reason during my last local camping trip. Two roadside service companies couldn't jump start the 525 Cummins Diesel engine. A friendly camper had a battery charger which helped after 16 hours charging. My biggest question is does the Monaco generator charge the chassis batteries or only the house batteries?

Steve Ownby · 07-11-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDZ SIG

Hi EV1 - I have a 2003 Monaco Signiture 40 ft. and the new chassis batteries went dead for some reason during my last local camping trip. Two roadside service companies couldn't jump start the 525 Cummins Diesel engine. A friendly camper had a battery charger which helped after 16 hours charging. My biggest question is does the Monaco generator charge the chassis batteries or only the house batteries?

My wife and I have lived in this same coach full time for 8 years now. It's a great coach.

If your Cummins is 525 hp then it's the ISX. That 15 liter engine requires about 1850 CCA to get a good crank so if the batteries aren't maintaining a good charge, it will struggle to crank.

The chassis batteries should charge from either the generator or shore power.

There is an electrical box on the curb side of the engine compartment. There is a large solenoid in there called a "Big Boy" it's controlled by the circuit board on the right side of the box, second board from the top. On shore or generator power this solenoid should be hot to the touch. When the circuit board sees about 13.2 VDC, it energizes the solenoid and both battery banks are tied together & both charge. The two big electrical lugs at the bottom on the Big Boy should measure over 13 VDC and be within a couple of tenths of a volt of each other.

If the Big Boy isn't energized under those conditions then you have a problem with either the Big Boy or the control board. In that case, call Monaco tech support and they can help you trouble shoot.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

EDZ SIG · 07-11-2015, 07:28 PM

Thanks! I think I need to stay in touch as you obviously know more about my older Sig than I do. Service company that installed the new chassis batteries told me they checked all the charging systems and they were working. Good to know the generator should be able to charge the chassis batteries if everything is working OK. I have a meter but am not a Tech but this is good information. Might ask later about some other small repairs. The holding tank levels for the display in the dashboard Alladin System - now Silverleaf 330 done by the previous owner - stopped working and shows "0". The display at the water/sewer connections show valid numbers. Go figure!

Medico · 07-12-2015, 03:52 AM

Welcome, glad to meet you!

hal1phx · 07-12-2015, 07:07 AM

denlock · 07-13-2015, 04:24 PM

MSHappyCampers · 07-13-2015, 06:07 PM

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Hope you get your problem solved quickly!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Mr_D · 07-13-2015, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Ownby

If your Cummins is 525 hp then it's the ISX. That 15 liter engine requires about 1850 CCA to get a good crank so if the batteries aren't maintaining a good charge, it will struggle to crank.

Our Magna has 4 - 925 CCA batteries and even then it's reluctant to kick off. Just replaced them last month and still doesn't crank over very well. I've seen reports of people going to Denso starters that have a gear reduction and they work great.

Skip426 · 07-13-2015, 06:16 PM

Welcome to iRV2.

A few questions .
How long were you parked that the chassis batteries went down ?
Good batteries , well charged should go two to three weeks , given minor current draws for electronic memory, and still start the engine.
Were you dry camping ( running the gen set on occasion ) or hooked to power at a camp ground?
Were you using the dash radio , while parked?

EDZ SIG · 07-14-2015, 10:36 AM

We were parked for 5 days and only discovered the problem when we attempted to leave the campsite. The chassis batteries are essentially new and are still under warranty. We were plugged into shore power the whole time. It appears from other responses the shore power should have been continually charging the chassis batteries. I'm having the RV repair facility check the batteries and the charging system. We didn't use the dash radio while parked but the "radio" is a Panasonic display with AV inputs showing holding tank levels, shore power electrical legs, engine diagnostics, Radio, IPOD inputs, etc. and that is on 24/7. I believe this device is wired to the house batteries.