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Battery problems

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Desertrider

RVF Newbee
Joined
Mar 18, 2023
Messages
3
I have a 2014 Tiffin Allegro gas motorhome
When parked for a few weeks hooked up to shore power my chassis battery keeps going dead. How do I keep this from happening? I thought the house batteries would trikle charge the chassis battery when hooked to shore power. Please help.
 

AbdRahim

RVF Supporter
Joined
Dec 25, 2019
Messages
2,706
RV Year
2020
RV Make
Newmar
RV Model
BayStar 3626
RV Length
37’
Chassis
Ford
Engine
V10
TOW/TOAD
None
If you have an inverter/charger, it sounds like the charger is not working. Check the output of the charger. Check at the batteries to see if it is geting a charging voltage (should be over 13v. Check voltage across the ressetabl fuse near the house batteries.

Oh, first make sure your battery disconnect is not engaged, although I assume not since you did not indicate that you had no lights inside.
Hope that helps.
 

Dan_Frisbie

RVF Regular
Joined
Aug 4, 2022
Messages
84
Check the fuses in your converter.
There are three 25 amp fuses in mine and they are extremely finicky and will blow for what seems to be the slightest imperfection...
I keep about 50 of them on hand.
 

Joe Goodxrvn

RVF Supporter
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Messages
1,592
Location
Florida
RV Year
2023
RV Make
Newmar
RV Model
Dutch Star 4311
RV Length
43
Chassis
Spartan
Engine
Cummings
TOW/TOAD
Possibly a Wrangler, we will see
You might check the B.I.R.D. This manages the charge current to and from the chassis and house battery
 

TheLooks

RVF Supporter
Joined
Jun 30, 2021
Messages
516
Location
Harrison, TN
RV Year
2011
RV Make
Jayco
RV Model
26 BH
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29 ft
Fulltimer
No
The fuses on the charger are only for reverse polarization. They blow real quick if you touch the positive to the negative. Don't feel bad, I don't know what the bird is either. And I work on these things. You need to measure the voltage at the batteries. When on shore power your voltage should be above 13vdc. Higher and it is charging and lower it is not. Read this....https://deepcyclebatterystore.com/how-to-maintain-batteries/
 

DennisT

RVF VIP
Joined
Dec 1, 2022
Messages
150
RV Year
2022
RV Make
Newmar
RV Model
Superstar 4061
RV Length
41
Chassis
FCCC
Engine
Cummins 360
TOW/TOAD
Hyundai Elantra Sport
So, just a thought…

In addition to the above items.

Do you have a disconnect for the chassis batteries in addition to one for the house?

Possible the chassis batteries are disconnected and not getting charged.

Different coach but we have a disconnect specific to the chassis batteries so thought I’d ask.
 

Joe Goodxrvn

RVF Supporter
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Messages
1,592
Location
Florida
RV Year
2023
RV Make
Newmar
RV Model
Dutch Star 4311
RV Length
43
Chassis
Spartan
Engine
Cummings
TOW/TOAD
Possibly a Wrangler, we will see
Here is a very generic schematic of a motorized RV charging circuit.
You will want to find yours in the User Manual.

Note the Isolator located between the Alternator/Chassis battery circuit and the Inverter/House Battery circuit.

This Isolator goes by several names, BIRD (Bi-Directional Isolator Relay Delay) or a BIM, (Battery Isolator Manager). Each has its own way of managing the charging circuit but serve the same function.

Not to be confusing but this can also be a Smart Battery Charger in the same location of the circuit instead of a BIRD or BIM.



Solenoid isolator.jpg


 

Rollin Ollen

RVF Regular
Joined
Dec 15, 2022
Messages
78
Location
Where I stop today
RV Year
2011
RV Make
Winnebago
RV Model
Vista
RV Length
28
Chassis
Ford
Engine
V10
TOW/TOAD
2018 Wrangler
Fulltimer
Yes
I have a 2014 Tiffin Allegro gas motorhome
When parked for a few weeks hooked up to shore power my chassis battery keeps going dead. How do I keep this from happening? I thought the house batteries would trikle charge the chassis battery when hooked to shore power. Please help.
I had the same problem years ago. I struggled to resolve it without taking it into the dealer and my solution was easy and relatively inexpensive. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08MK7P59V/?tag=rvf01-20

I have a 110 volt plug it right next to my battery box that it plugs into. It works well. I have not had a problem since.

Darrell
 
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