Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-02-2008, 11:09 AM   #1
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 62
How many others have the problem with their chassis batteries losing charge after sitting for 2 to 3 months? The lose enough that I have to use the coach batteries to start the MH. If so, what have you done to prevent it? I am thinking of installing a master disconnect switch on the battery tray. I was told that there is a certain amount of trickle down on the batteries due to the computer in the transmission and the engine but to have the batteries lose so much voltage over the course of 2 months doesn't seem right.
__________________
'05 Journey 36G, 350 CAT
Journey On
Mikeso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 11:09 AM   #2
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 62
How many others have the problem with their chassis batteries losing charge after sitting for 2 to 3 months? The lose enough that I have to use the coach batteries to start the MH. If so, what have you done to prevent it? I am thinking of installing a master disconnect switch on the battery tray. I was told that there is a certain amount of trickle down on the batteries due to the computer in the transmission and the engine but to have the batteries lose so much voltage over the course of 2 months doesn't seem right.
__________________
'05 Journey 36G, 350 CAT
Journey On
Mikeso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 11:30 AM   #3
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 124
My coach had the same issue and the former owner installed a master disconnect. End of issue.
Joe
__________________
Joe & Sherri
2004 Winnebago Adventurer 37B
UltraPower
JWatkins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 11:42 AM   #4
Winnebago Camper
 
Ottawa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 15
I have master cut off switches for both Chassis and Coach batteries. Still have dead chassis batteries. It has recently started and I think my problem is a bad solenoid, as I can start my MH with the Coach batteries. Switch just clicks. Unfortunately, can not find out till next spring when I take it out of storage.
__________________
2004 CRV
Brake Buddy Blue Ox Aventa II
Ottawa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 11:51 AM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
Pusherman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 813
Due to the parasitic draw on the chassis batteries, they do run down while sitting. Winnebago has done 2 things to combat this problem on the DP's: 1) Installed a Trik-L-Charge system which charges the chassis battery while plugged in to shore power, and 2) Installed a 'GUEST' battery disconnect switch at the rear of the coach for the chassis battery.

Not sure what year Winnie started installing these items, but I believe they are on the 2006 model year coaches and beyond.

I also recommend while storing (w/o access to power) to use some sort of battery disconnect switch.
__________________
Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Pusherman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 12:26 PM   #6
Winnebago Master
 
John_Canfield's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Back at the ranch
Posts: 2,041
Batteries have a certain internal resistance and they will self-discharge over a period of time even if disconnected.

If you can go for two or three months with the chassis battery not disconnected, then you are doing really well.

Don has the right idea - disconnect the batteries.
__________________
--John

2005 Horizon 40AD, 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD
John_Canfield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 05:14 PM   #7
Winnebago Camper
 
teekay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Northern Wisconsin
Posts: 28
I did a little investigation with my 06 Meridian last weekend. I turned off all the power, hit the battery disconnect switch, turned the Guest switch to off. Then I measured current leaving the house battery; as expected there was 12.1 mA. No current down the big cable all 12.1 mA was going down the converter/charger cable. The solar panel wasn't making a contribution since it is covered with 6 inches on snow. Hmmm there is some residual load out there. After taking measurements, I took the house batteries inside for the winter.
__________________
2006 Meridian 36G
Cat C7 350, Koni Shocks
teekay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 05:44 PM   #8
Winnebago Camper
 
Suncruiser Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Burlington,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 31
To solve this problem, I switched the 10 watt solar panel from the house batteries to the chassis battery. The solar panel was useless in maintaining the house batteries, but seems to do a good job of keeping my chassis battery charged
__________________
2006 Itasca Suncruiser 38T
W24 Chassis.
2012 Toyota Corrola XRS
Suncruiser Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-02-2008, 10:16 PM   #9
Winnebago Master
 
SCVJeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Santa Clarita, CA.
Posts: 1,222
I think it was 2006 that the Trik-L-Stat and Master Swx were added. I didn't want to take the chance of having to teach the transmission how I drive each time I pull B+ for weeks at a time, and the 15W Solar panel just wasn't keeping 5 batteries charged after about 4 weeks. I finally retired the panel to fridge aux fan service and added 2-100W panels (now 3 ), and problem gone. Expensive fix, but so was the coach.
__________________
_______________________________

Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
SCVJeff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2008, 03:28 PM   #10
Winnebago Master
 
Pusherman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 813
I'm pretty sure that the GUEST engine battery disconnect switch does not switch off all the parasitic drain. The computers may still be powered.

Maybe John C. knows if all the engine electrical systems are disconnected or not when the GUEST switch is turned off (thanks John -- I respect your input on this).

I'm also curious on this answer...
__________________
Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Pusherman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2008, 05:17 PM   #11
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: humble,tx
Posts: 93
Mikeso, I have a 2004 Journey. I had the same problem with my battery. I found out that Winnebago Had a trickle charger that would solve this problem. I call customer service at the factory and talked to Rod. He said that they do have a trickle charger and if I wanted to he would send it to me with the installation instruction on how to install at no cost. I received it and less than a hour I had it installed and working. It ties into the positive side of the house battery. Really easy to do.They came up with in the first of 2005 . That when I put my on and never had a problem with my battery.Give Rod A call at customer service at the factory he will help you
Randy Chesnutt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2008, 06:54 AM   #12
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 62
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Randy Chesnutt:
Mikeso, I have a 2004 Journey. I had the same problem with my battery. I found out that Winnebago Had a trickle charger that would solve this problem. I call customer service at the factory and talked to Rod. He said that they do have a trickle charger and if I wanted to he would send it to me with the installation instruction on how to install at no cost. I received it and less than a hour I had it installed and working. It ties into the positive side of the house battery. Really easy to do.They came up with in the first of 2005 . That when I put my on and never had a problem with my battery.Give Rod A call at customer service at the factory he will help you </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Randy,
Thank you very much for the info. I will give him a call.
Mike
__________________
'05 Journey 36G, 350 CAT
Journey On
Mikeso is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2011 Sughtseer 33c chassis battery runs down Laker44 Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 6 11-26-2014 03:21 PM
House Batteries Running Down While on Shore Power! craigt Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 20 09-30-2012 03:10 PM
Can I disconnect Chassis Batteries in 2004 Meridian to avoid discharge? rv rick Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 7 07-27-2007 05:40 PM
Average life of chassis (cranking) batteries?? smlranger Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 6 01-01-2007 03:26 PM
12 volt chassis batteries vs 6 volt kenbt Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 8 11-30-2005 04:30 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.