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12-26-2015, 01:41 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
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What's Draining My Chassis Batteries?
Couple days ago they were at 12.2 (I am using a Fluke Multi-Meter) and today they are down to 11.9?
On another note how low can I let the batteries go before they get ruined?
I have the coach stored here at home plugged into 20amps (House batteries are disconnected so they are not getting charged.) The former owner installed a disconnect switch that I use to disconnect them)
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2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
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12-26-2015, 01:47 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 39
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Have you considered turning the house battery disconnect switch ON while connected to your hone 20amp service and then see if they are taking a charge??
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Jim & SherrySeward
2000 Residency 3790 v10 w/tags 5 Star tune & Banks system Suzuki XL7 toad
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12-26-2015, 01:57 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LVJ58
Have you considered turning the house battery disconnect switch ON while connected to your hone 20amp service and then see if they are taking a charge??
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The Chassis are not getting a charge when I turn on the house batteries, and yes the House ARE getting a charge when I turn them on. I don't want to OVERCHARGE them, but I like having the MH plugged because I am in and out of it all the time....
LeeB........ I am going to double check this right now.. Nope Chassis not charging if I want that I would have to install a (Trik-L-Start)
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2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
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12-26-2015, 02:01 PM
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#4
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aa1ssradio
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Where the Rig is Parked
Posts: 286
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Chassis batteries won't generally charge while plugged in. You need a trickle-start
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12-26-2015, 02:09 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger Smith
Chassis batteries won't generally charge while plugged in. You need a trickle-start
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LoL I know that.......
My questions is what could be draining the Chassis Batteries?
Thanks LeeB
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2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
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12-26-2015, 02:12 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 200
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I
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeeB
The Chassis are not getting a charge when I turn on the house batteries, and yes the House ARE getting a charge when I turn them on. I don't want to OVERCHARGE them, but I like having the MH plugged because I am in and out of it all the time....
LeeB........ I am going to double check this right now
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Have you checked for engine battery charging after charging the house batteries for a few hours ? Sometimes they don't cross connect until the house batteries are above 13. 3 for a while.
Aside from that, with a good 3 stage automatic converter/charger you won't OVERCHARGE your house batteries.
Then you can use an Amp L Start or Trick L Start. They won't work if the house batteries are disconnected.
The principal is to steal some charging current from the house bank, and send it to charge the engine battery.
Any time you let a battery sit under 12.6 volts it is getting weaker. Sitting at12.06 volts is 50% state of charge. Less then that and life goes down hill fast.
Sometimes alternators go bad and put a couple amp draw on the system. Carefull ( It's got power all of the time ) pull the large wire off it and see if it helps. An amp meter between the pos. post and pos. cable will show any draw. A few tenths of an Amp are normal, If higher, then that you need to start unhooking things to find the draw.
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12-26-2015, 02:33 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
I
I just got the coach a few weeks ago and still trying to figure stuff out.
Have you checked for engine battery charging after charging the house batteries for a few hours ? Sometimes they don't cross connect until the house batteries are above 13. 3 for a while.
I have never seen the Chassis Batteries over 12.2 (Even after running the engine)
Aside from that, with a good 3 stage automatic converter/charger you won't OVERCHARGE your house batteries.
I would be willing to bet it is stock what ever the coeach came with. I know it is a Dementions (sp)
Then you can use an Amp L Start or Trick L Start. They won't work if the house batteries are disconnected.
I understand that....
The principal is to steal some charging current from the house bank, and send it to charge the engine battery.
Any time you let a battery sit under 12.6 volts it is getting weaker. Sitting at12.06 volts is 50% state of charge. Less then that and life goes down hill fast.
This has me worried because at the Dealership he had a hard time starting the coach. He had to start the Generator and then hold the Boost Button for about 10minutes in order to give the Chassis Batteries ebough juice to start the Engine. So I am thinking the Chassis Batteries are shot (even though they are Interstates and are less then 10 minths old)
Sometimes alternators go bad and put a couple amp draw on the system. Carefull ( It's got power all of the time ) pull the large wire off it and see if it helps. An amp meter between the pos. post and pos. cable will show any draw. A few tenths of an Amp are normal, If higher, then that you need to start unhooking things to find the draw.
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I am assuming you mean pull the Large Wire off the Battery and then use the Meter (or 12vote bulb) to see if there is a drain on them..
Deaker said he did a load test and they were fine???????
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2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
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12-26-2015, 02:50 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 962
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There are a couple of things I discovered about my rig:
1) I needed to apply a charge to the chassis batteries when I was parked for a long time ... I did this by connecting jumper cables between the house battery and the chassis battery for a few hours .... I needed to do that BEFORE I installed a TRICK-L-START... I no longer need to do that.
2) There are several things that are powered by the chassis battery: the steps, the radio, and engine electronics
Installing a T-L-S is very easy on a 2004 Meridian .. it took me longer to remove the cover than it did to install the T-L-S. All the connections are right there in front of you.
You should check a chart concerning % charge and voltage on a battery ... as I recall a battery that is showing 12.2 V is already 50% discharged ... they should be in the neighborhood of 13.4 V to be fully charged.
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12-26-2015, 02:52 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 200
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If you don't see 13.5 or more when engine running, you need to get your alternator and or belt checked.
That brings up another thought. Some older MHs used diode based battery isolators. The alternator output is redirected to the center tap of a index card sized box, with cooling fins, and then out to both battery banks.
They can fail open and you won't get any charging from the alternator to either battery.
Look for one and jump it temporary across all three posts and start it up and check for 13.5 volts on both batteries.
Keep us posted on results.
The dealer got you out the door without fixing anything. That what they do.
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12-26-2015, 04:10 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skigramp
There are a couple of things I discovered about my rig:
1) I needed to apply a charge to the chassis batteries when I was parked for a long time ... I did this by connecting jumper cables between the house battery and the chassis battery for a few hours .... I needed to do that BEFORE I installed a TRICK-L-START... I no longer need to do that.
2) There are several things that are powered by the chassis battery: the steps, the radio, and engine electronics
Installing a T-L-S is very easy on a 2004 Meridian .. it took me longer to remove the cover than it did to install the T-L-S. All the connections are right there in front of you.
I looked at installing a T-L-S and even printed out the Service tip from WIT April 2006 and looked under the panel is the front and there is no way I could get to the Battery Disconnect Solenoids to hook up the wire to... I am now looking to see if anyone has hooked up the T-L-S in a different spot
You should check a chart concerning % charge and voltage on a battery ... as I recall a battery that is showing 12.2 V is already 50% discharged ... they should be in the neighborhood of 13.4 V to be fully charged.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
If you don't see 13.5 or more when engine running, you need to get your alternator and or belt checked.
That brings up another thought. Some older MHs used diode based battery isolators. The alternator output is redirected to the center tap of a index card sized box, with cooling fins, and then out to both battery banks.
They can fail open and you won't get any charging from the alternator to either battery.
Look for one and jump it temporary across all three posts and start it up and check for 13.5 volts on both batteries.
Keep us posted on results.
The dealer got you out the door without fixing anything. That what they do.
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I'll have to wait til tomorrow it is pretty chilly here and the CAT 350 starts a lot easier when the Block Heater is on for a few hours..... Thanks....... Maybe Monday tomorrow is going to busy with LIFE stuff....
Thanks Again Lee............
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2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
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12-26-2015, 04:34 PM
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#11
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 141
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I am not familiar with the Diesels but I did install a trick-l-charge in my battery compartment directly off the batteries which the manufacturer showed as an alternate to the solenoid hook-up. Also on our gasser the chassis battery powers steps, slides and jacks. I was plugged in prior to installing the TLS and in and out of the coach a lot over a month or so and the engine wouldn't turn over. No problem now. My battery compartment is fairly well ventilated.
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Allen & Linda; 2012 Winnebago Vista 30T, Ford 6.8 V-10, Safety-Steer, Roadmaster front and rear sway bars, 5-star tune
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12-27-2015, 07:55 PM
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#12
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DW Driver -Winter Englewood FL, Summer Willingboro NJ
Posts: 116
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The light under your step can draw power, a radio on can too. The Alternator can also be bad and drain the battery. The charge when running should be at least 13.8 - 14.2
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La Dagobago
99 36 FL Winne Chieftain 5.9 ISB Turbo Cummins DP, 24' box with 1972 V12 XKE Jag and HD Sporty Hobby of 1970's Suzuki dirt bike restoration. Visit my blog.
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12-28-2015, 12:27 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 962
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On my 2004 Journey the "up front" fuse box has four twisting latches on a panel ... there are also about a dozen screws around the outside of the entire cover ... remove those dozen screws so everything inside is in view then installing the T-L-S is a piece of cake ... everything is right there before you ....
It will take you longer to remove and replace the dozen screws than it will to install the T-L-S ...
remember "A job started ... is half done"
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12-28-2015, 05:06 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Central Valley, California
Posts: 218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skigramp
On my 2004 Journey the "up front" fuse box has four twisting latches on a panel ... there are also about a dozen screws around the outside of the entire cover ... remove those dozen screws so everything inside is in view then installing the T-L-S is a piece of cake ... everything is right there before you ....
It will take you longer to remove and replace the dozen screws than it will to install the T-L-S ...
remember "A job started ... is half done"
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Thanks I'll have to take a closer look. I went ahead and ordered the T-L-S yesterday....... I assume you disconnect everything before you do this!
LeeB
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2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V Workhorse
I need a new avatar picture
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12-29-2015, 11:56 AM
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#15
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Crossville, TN USA
Posts: 397
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Things I found to discharge a chassis battery.
Clock/radio
Scanguage draws power when plugged in.
Electric steps going in/out. Should be turned off it not using.
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Tom & Bonnie
2008 Winnebago Aspect 29H
A Class C Not a B+
2010 Ford Flex
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12-29-2015, 12:10 PM
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#16
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 37
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To your original question;
Use your fluke in current mode ( in series and probably limited to 10A ) and start pulling fuses. Eventually you would find the culprit(s).
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01-03-2016, 05:22 PM
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#17
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: West Georgia
Posts: 424
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Have the same problem Lee B. I haven't found the pull yet abut I am continually charging with a 4 amp charger. Not a solution and i still want to find who is stealing my electricity. Not steps or radio- been there done that. Could still be the engine electronics but if so its sucking hard on the battery.
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Joe a/k/a "Americanrascal"
2016 Winnebago Adventurer 38Q +tow dolly
8th RV to sit in our driveway in 50 years
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01-05-2016, 03:19 PM
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#18
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Full-timer/volunteer w/SOWERS
Posts: 2,737
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeeB
Couple days ago they were at 12.2 (I am using a Fluke Multi-Meter) and today they are down to 11.9?
On another note how low can I let the batteries go before they get ruined?
I have the coach stored here at home plugged into 20amps (House batteries are disconnected so they are not getting charged.) The former owner installed a disconnect switch that I use to disconnect them)
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There is much being said here. Some good info and others not so good. So, form my experience let me say this. If you are plugged in you should be charging. The charge relay on these rigs is a know problem. It switches the inverter charge to the low battery. They are replaceable and readable available. The key is continuous duty with a high current rating.
Here is you wiring diagram: http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...ire_144816.pdf
Hope this helps.
The 11.9v is still a good battery. This site might help you: Batteries & Lead-Acid Battery Maintenance | Firewize
Happy trails,
Rick Y
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Rick & Melissa Young & Dawson (RIP), 2011 Meridian 40U, FL XCL, ISL 380HP/DEF, Al 3000 MH, 2014 Honda CR-V, SMI AF1, Blue Ox TruCenter & tow equip.,EEZTire TPMS.
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready. Best job we ever paid to do . (full time volunteers)
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