Question House battery not charging by alternator

[Joe Hogan]

Over the last few legs I’ve noticed that the house battery bank is 65% or so at the end of the day? Once plugged in the battery charges right up.
The solenoid that bridges house and chassis appears to be working.

Thoughts?

 

[Richpatty]

Does the house voltage go up when the engine is running?

 

[Joe Hogan]

Does the house voltage go up when the engine is running?

I’ll have to check next drive.

 

[Richpatty]

OK...just start the engine and look at the meter that shows voltage for each bank. I don't know where that would be in your DS... Maybe look at it before to see if it increases.

Do you have a Li-Bim?

 

[AbdRahim]

Alternator should carge the house battery after chassis battery reaches a certain voltage. It should only take a few minutes for house batteries to start charging once you start the engine. Alternator should charge at around 14 V.
At least that is they way it works on my Bay Star.

 

[osuallen]

Joe, I had that after I got my Lithium/Solar upgrade from SES. I was getting solar changing, but not alternator. I narrowed it down to not getting 12V on the ignition terminal of the LiBIM (same setup with a regular BIM, just slightly different operation).
I had them look at it at the International Rally. We finally found a 7.5 amp fuse blown in the front driver bay. Was in the top black box on the right hand wall. Not sure if yours has a BIM like older models.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Here is Newmar suggestion. There are two 5amp fuses in the power locker that run the solenoid. I’ll try to see if one is blown.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Verified both 5amp fuses good. Might be forced to take to local dealer. Not looking forward to that!

 

[Richpatty]

Did we determine that voltage is getting to the batteries? Maybe the LiBim isn’t working right?

 

[Joe Hogan]

The interesting part is it appears that the chassis and house batteries do Bridge via BIRD circuit.
The chassis battery voltage cycles normally.
It is just when we arrive at the end of the day the house battery is drained to around 50%.
Once we plug in to 50 amp, battery charges turn on and charge the house battery.?

 

[sheridany]

I'd be careful what dealer you take it to. We all know how that can turn out. I'd probably start at a Spartan shop to make sure the alternator is working correctly, and if that checks out, then select a dealership you feel comfortable with. Are you anywhere within 500 miles of a NIRVC dealership? If it were me, that is where I would go just because I always had a great experience with them. Although they are not the cheapest in town, they seem to have good techs, at least a few years ago. Others can chime in with more current knowledge about them or others.

 

[Joe Hogan]

We are going to take it to Independence RV in Orlando. It should be under warranty. We’ll see..

 

[sheridany]

they have a great rep. At least that is what I have heard.

 

[NWIP]

We are going to take it to Independence RV in Orlando. It should be under warranty. We’ll see..

Was wondering if you got this resolved?

 

[Joe Hogan]

Had a great experience at Independence RV. Tom was the service writer. Appears that when Newmar swapped the BIRD at Tampa Show, the wires got swapped. Batteries would not properly Bridge.
I’ll have to verify that all is working correctly when we head to Newmar for the annual service.
Used the dealers wash contractor, $175 for a decent wash. Happy to get all the cross country grime off the RV.
Also they adjusted the front hood so it opens correctly and verified that there is no air tank leak. Some reason I thought there was a leak after the air doubler was installed. My bad.