Two Issues on Newmar Ventana

[B&T RVers]

I have a 2021 Ventana & lately I’m having 2 issues.

1) My batteries aren’t holding. I have had to jump it as I couldn’t even start the generator. When I do get the generator started I run it for an hour and get the engine to start but only when using the battery booster. After running the engine for 45 mins with the generator running I could turn off the generator & engine. I can then start the engine without the booster. But if I come back 3 days later the batteries are to 10-11 and the engine won’t start even with the booster and I have to start all over again. I turn Borge the chassis and house batteries off when I leave. Any idea where the drain could be?

The Equalizer leveling system has been off as wel. Right now my engine is running and all the lights on the leveler are on. I have talked to Equalizer in the past and they have me unplug the controller and then plug it back in. That seems to reset and it functions but only for a while. Thoughts?

Thanks
Bill

 

[Joe Hogan]

Sounds like there is a draw on the batteries. While 3 days is a relatively short time, but based on the health and size of battery bank it might just be running a normal phantom load(s).
Is the 12v "Salesman" switch turned off? Is the Inverter off? Are batteries fully charged when you leave RV, 12.6-12.8V?

 

[Old-RV'er]

Mine sitting with all switches off lasts for over week, even if very cold outside. I do have 8 house batteries in it.

 

[FL-JOE]

Check all your connections back around your starting batteries. A few months into having our new Ventana I had issues off and on starting, had to keep using boost. Finally found a wire/lug that was not tightened all the way......problem solved.

 

[Old-RV'er]

ok, it never occurred to me to tell you, our story. We picked up our coach from dealer in Oregon and were driving it home to Georgia. Every so often about 3-4 hours, low battery alarm on dash, could not figure out why. Got to Lincoln, NB and checked in with the Freightliner Service Center there. Found out, one of the cables going to the starter was lose, so charging system could not make complete circuit. They tightened that, and since then no issues. So, check all the big wires going from engine to and from etc. Sounds like something is not tight, causing all that good juice to be lost into never, never land. Let us know. If you crawl under it, extend the jacks (assume they are there) down so air bags don't deflate and crush you under it.

Newmar when they take the chassis into the first bay, they disconnect all the electrical wiring from the batteries, they do this at the starter and other places. After done welding on chassis, some of those are reconnected, but not all, as electrical tests are supposed to be done as the chassis and house parts come together. They are also supposed to check and not just to see if it starts, but a physical tightening inspection. Like everything in today's world, it just depends on how thorough the tech are when doing the final QA checks. The Frieghtliner chassis person at our repair place inspected all the wiring to all the batteries and associated places, because he did not want it coming back, have not had issue since. I went through the circuit breaker panel and check those wires, some not as tight as they should be, and if I open any compartment, I make sure wires are not hanging down, and such. At end of warranty year, I went through and id'ed all the places I felt attention was needed, and Newmar took care of it under warranty, replacing the Shore Power Reel because it quit, and possibly some wires were rubbed to kill it. They would save a ton of money if they just slowed down the line and had real electricians doing the wiring for the coaches, that would cost money, but they are spending money now on warranty repairs.

 

[JRW-NAW]

On the first trip with our Ventana, on the second day I started getting low battery alarms while driving. ..coach ran fine. Took it into Frieghtliner in Tollesen, AZ issue was alternator cables not properly torqued.