White Rogers 586-105111-3 Contactor/Solenoid

[Neemer]

Today I noticed a high pitched whine emanating from this thing. I assume that is not good and a replacement is in order? Secondly, what exactly does this thing do?

 

[RKins]

On my coach I have one of those solenoids and it's used to combine or isolate the house and chassis battery bank. It's part of the battery charging system and is controlled by a Bi-directional Isolator Relay Delay or B.I.R.D. Mine is located in the power bay

If you look at the pictures and see the heavy cables on the two lugs of the device - the top cable is coming from the house bank and the lower is coming from the chassis bank. The BIRD monitors the house bank and if the voltage sensed is 13.3v (charging voltage) or above for a minute, the BIRD sends a signal to activate the big solenoid and the charging is applied to the chassis bank too. The BIRD can also route charging from the Alternator. (That's the Bi-directional part)

 

[Neemer]

Great info, RKins. Thanks! I ordered a new one last evening and it should be in hand Friday. I can’t imagine that noise I’m hearing is good thing.

 

[RKins]

I hear a slight hum when I walk past the power bay - not sure it's the "Big boy" solenoid (White-Rodgers) or the transfer switch. Take the old Solenoid apart and see what, if anything, is wrong with it. Some guys rebuild theirs.