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Epps · 06-26-2016, 02:08 PM

First let me say thank you in advance to everybody for any answers you may have. Second this is my first post so please bear with me if I don't use the correct terms. We bought our first RV about two weeks ago. Its a Class C 2000 Winnebago Minnie 31 footer. Everything was working fine till two days ago. We keep it plugged into the house power just to keep the fridge running and cool all the time. We were told that this is what the previous owners did so that's what we did. On Friday my wife came home and heard an alarm in the RV going off. She opened it up and there was no power. It had tripped the breaker in the house so I just left it unhooked and turned off the fridge. On Sunday I came out to start the RV and there was zero power to anything. I assumed it was the battery so I plugged the charger in and it said it was fully charged and the lights now came on in the truck portion of the RV. The starter would crank but the engine wouldn't turn over. Also the generator would not crank over either. I decided to plug the house power back in and the low volt alarm started to sound again. After 5 minutes or so it went off and the truck seemed to be getting power back. I tried cranking the engine over after a few min and it sounded like it wanted to start but like it had a dead battery. This was more than I had previously gotten with the charger on. So I left the house power plugged in for an hour and then went to start the RV. It cranked right over like nothing was ever wrong. So basically the way its looking to me is that all the electrical systems are wired together instead of the coach portion and truck portion being separate. Its almost as if something is draining all the power out but keeping the batteries charged and unless the house power is plugged in keeping the charge up I cant even start the RV. Please any help with this would be great as we have a 4th of July trip planned and I don't want this to happen to us when were out on the road.

Thanks in advance,
Epps

Mich F · 06-26-2016, 02:48 PM

Sounds like you have a number of issues. First of all, are you hooked up to a 30 amp or 15A at your house ? What alarm was on. Was it something wired into the battery or a smoke alarm that might have a 9v battery? Chances are your convertor/charger is not a smart one and can overcharge your house battery. It probably does not charge your engine battery. Did you check the electrolyte level in the battery ? Any idea when and why the your house breaker was tripped ? Is the switch for your MH battery turned on ?
I know I've offered more questions, but the answers could help others help you.
Your problems could have started from the time your house breaker tripped. Your hard wired alarms, frig and everything else that might have been running killed your battery. Could be as simple as that.

RogerRoll · 06-26-2016, 10:22 PM

Do you have a battery 'boost' switch? It would operate a solenoid (relay) that connects the house (coach) battery with the chassis battery to help start the engine if the chassis battery is low. Perhaps that switch and/or solenoid is stuck on, which could explain a few things.

2010 Winnebago Aspect 28B

RogerRoll · 06-26-2016, 10:28 PM

Also, check if you have a 'bird' controller. (Bidirectional Isolator Relay Delay). It's a fancy doo-dad that allows either or both batteries (house and chassis) to be charged from the engine alternator or from shore power.

2010 Winnebago Aspect 28B

Epps · 06-27-2016, 03:57 PM

Thank you all for the replies. I will try to get on here and answer some of the other questions you posted Mich but I'm pressed for time now but wanted to say thank you to all who replied. I will look into those things and hopefully get back to yall with some good news.

mel s · 06-27-2016, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epps

The starter would crank but the engine wouldn't turn over.
Epps

Epps
One of us is confused.....where I come from a starter that "cranks" is a starter that is "turning the engine over".

However based on your disruption it sounds like your problem is dead batteries caused by the loss of shore power.

Turn everything off...top off the electorate in the batteries with distilled water and then "fully charge" all of them... preferably using a good stand alone battery charger.

That done methinks your problems will disappear.

SuperGewl · 06-29-2016, 01:54 AM

Update your signature with the MH information. This will help us help you better.
Depending on year make and model it could be lots of things. Does yours have a cut out switch for both the Chassis and House? Are they on?
Some models don't charge the Chassis battery when connected to shore power, the newer Winnebago's do.
There may also be a AUX start switch on the dash, this cross connects the House and Chassis to start the engine.
If the Generator would not start then the House batteries are dead, if the engine won't start then the Chassis battery is dead.
As you stated you were able to start after it after leaving it plugged in for a few hours, Did you use the AUX start switch or just normal starting?
Will the Generator start? Have you checked the water level in the batteries? What is the date code on them? Are the hookups to the batteries clean?
OK let us know what you find