This is one part of the RV that is so common and also a problem so often that we really can do lots of stuff to understand it!
Kind of like tying your shoes? It seems really tricky but after we do it a few times it gets real easy!
So this is an area that we talk about a lot and if we look at it slowly and a step at a time it gets really simple! But it sounds like you've been getting some really bad info and work done so we need to start from scratch and check that it is all working.
But what level do we need to start? Do you have a meter to test voltage and resistance? At least a little used to using it? Those would be a big step and tell us what you have and what you might need explained.
No need for us to explain how to crawl if you already know how to run and ride a bike!
But one thing we might ask about is the names we may be using? We often have a shiny metal mode solenoid and then along side it is a black plastic looking relay? Both are kinda/sorta the same and folks have different names for them at times, so is this what you are calling the second solenoid? Or a different one like on the starter or generator?
Click this snip to see it better!
This solenoid is what connects the coach and chassis batteries at times. chassis battery on left side big lug and coach battery cable on right big lug. The wire LR is what makes the solenoid operate to connect them. It brings 12volt DC down from the front to run power through a coil of wire inside and to ground using the metal case. The mounting screw makes the ground connection!
Then on the right is the coach battery disconnect relay. When we have good coach batteries and push the disconnect switch one way or the other, it engages or disengages the contacts in this relay to connect power from the left side to the right and on to things like the generator or coach fuses!
When new, the cables should have had tape at the ends to ID them. Any chance those marks are still there?
So if this looks like what you are seeing we can go further into what should happen and how to test the different parts.
Actually pretty simple testing if you have a meter to read voltage?
For instance on the mode solenoid, when you have good chassis battery connected on the left side and somebody starts the RV engine or pushes a dash switch called different names like "boost or aux" you can feel or hear the solenoid thump as it moves. when it moves, the power you put in on the left side, then shows up on the right side!
If it passes power, it's working! Then if you have coach batteries connected on the right side, when the solenoid closes, they are connected together through the solenoid!
Just like a light switch that moves with electrical power instead of us flipping it!
Let us know what you need to go further?
Linear Mode
