Chassis Battery Problem

UFO Pilot · 06-17-2008, 02:14 PM

The Coach would not start this AM, had to use the battery boost. After driving 3 hours the Coach again would not start without the battery boost. Just measured the voltage and the chassis battery reads 13.6 volts. We are plugged into 50 amp service right now. Do I have a dead battery or does it just need to charge longer?

UFO Pilot · 06-17-2008, 02:14 PM

The Coach would not start this AM, had to use the battery boost. After driving 3 hours the Coach again would not start without the battery boost. Just measured the voltage and the chassis battery reads 13.6 volts. We are plugged into 50 amp service right now. Do I have a dead battery or does it just need to charge longer?

doc · 06-17-2008, 02:26 PM

Good grounds on all the batteries? Good connections between batteries? An 08 coach should not have bad battery(ies) this early in it's life.

retired2001 · 06-17-2008, 03:37 PM

My '07 Adventurer has the same problem, if it has been setting for prolonged period. Once I have driven for a few hours, it is "good to go". It has been that way since new and everything checks out as far as I have been able to tell.

Rocket Heart · 06-17-2008, 04:34 PM

I've had the same problem with my 07 Suncruiser recently. Talked to my dealer and he did say they would go down if left sitting for awhile because there is always a little draw on the chassis batteery??? What??

Put a charger on it and it came back up. I'll see this weekend. If it stays up it's okay - if not it's a bad battery and the dealer will replace it!!

porscheracer · 06-17-2008, 10:50 PM

We had a similar problem with our '05 Vectra when it was new. It turned out to be a bad relay.

John_Canfield · 06-18-2008, 04:51 AM

I recommend letting your dealer do a load test on the chassis batteries. We had a marginal chassis battery when our coach was new.

There are parasitic loads on the chassis batteries, but I think most folks report it taking two weeks or longer to discharge them to the point where they won't start the engine.

Be sure to measure the chassis battery voltage with the engine running and not connected to shore power. In this scenario, you should be reading 13.x volts, or the same voltage on both battery banks.

UFO Pilot · 06-18-2008, 03:47 PM

Just finished driving 4 1/2 hours. Measured the voltage of the chassis battery with the motor running. reads 14 volts. Turned off the motor and it will not start without the battery boost. It acts like the battery is low as it tries to turn over. Any suggestions?

ChasA · 06-18-2008, 05:26 PM

Wayne,
First clean the battery terminals, don't just visually check them. Be sure to remove the - terminal first. Then lightly sand the battery posts and the inside of the clamps. replace the clamps (- last) and try starting again. If it still doesn't turn over, put your voltmeter on the battery terminals and watch the meter while Roberta tries to start the engine. The meter should drop to no lower than 10 volts while she's trying to start the engine. If it does, you need a new battery. If it does not drop a couple of volts you have a bad connection (either + or -) between the battery and the starter. Hope this helps.
Chas

John_Canfield · 06-18-2008, 06:04 PM

If the battery terminals are tight, get the batteries load-tested.

UFO Pilot · 06-18-2008, 06:23 PM

We are on the road in Reno, NV for the night. I called Workhorse and they are going to direct me to a shop in the AM. Thanx for all of your suggestions.

UFO Pilot · 08-12-2008, 06:29 PM

FYI
Had the chassis battery replaced in Idaho Falls, ID under warranty. No problems since.