We have a 2007 Winn Voyage which includes an inverter. We are taking our grand boys on a trip. They want to watch movies on the way. My first thought is to turn on the inverter so they can watch. Know the inverter runs off the coach batteries. But does the rig's engine alternator charge the coach batteries while driving? Or are the coach batteries only charged by the converter? If coach batteries will drain will run the generator instead.Funny how I've never thought about this before, learn something new every day! Thanks....

Yes, typically the coach batteries are indeed charged while the engine is running. Most use a bi-directional device of some sort. Should be no problem using the inverter.

Yes your coach batteries are charged off the engine altenator.

Yes, the house batteries are normally charged by the alternator when trundling down the road. But check to make sure that the charging path is working.

Usually, yes.Get a DC voltmeter and connect it to the coach batteries. Check the voltage. Now, start the engine. If the voltage increases to 13.8 to 14.2 volts, the batteries are being charged by the alternator. If the voltage does not increase, there may be something wrong. Find it and fix it. Or, the coach was never wired to allow the engine alternator to charge the coach batteries. A competent tech can fix that, too.good luck.

It is easy to check using a mulitmeter. A typical charged up battery will read 12.6-7VDC at the terminals. With your motor running you should see the DC voltage at the battery terminals jump up to 13.6VDC or higher depending on the DC OUTPUT of the motor alternator system... Roy KenOOPS Didn't mean to dupe what MOWERMECH said - He has a faster keyboard than I do I reckon haha... Sorry bout that Chief...

Are Coach Batteries Charged When Driving? | Good Sam Community

TC_Z
Explorer
Apr 06, 2016
UPDATE II

I posted this inquiry...

I contacted Tech Support at Winn, as all expected yes, my coach batteries should be charged when driving. I had checked the voltages previously. This time I removed the fuse panel and checked the disconnect solenoid itself. the coil was receiving voltage correctly BUT the contacts never close, ah ha!

I will replace it, thanks for everyone's help!
Blaster_Man
Explorer
Apr 01, 2016
You need to know how your specific coach works. On my coach, when the engine is running, it is charging the chassis batteries. When they reach a certain charge, the coach batteries will be charged.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 01, 2016
I am a power hog so the sixty amp fuse failed 3 times in the first year. The solenoid died shortly after that, so I upgraded to a 50 amp auto reset breaker and a solenoid rated for 200 amps continuous and 1000 amps contacting. No more problems.

TC&Z wrote:
UPDATE - I posted this inquiry...

As suggested I measured voltage on coach batts with engine off and with engine running with the batt disconnect ON. The voltage remained constant, about 12.5V.

The overwhelming consensus is the alternator "ought" to be charging the coach batts. I will call Winn tech support to get their insight. It could be I have a wiring error or failed component somewhere.

Appreciate everyone's responses, many thanks
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Apr 01, 2016
TC&Z wrote:
It could be I have a wiring error or failed component somewhere.

I think the "battery solenoid" is a common failure point.
My symptoms were the same as yours except it worked sometimes.
Mine was about 7 years old when it failed.
TC_Z
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
UPDATE - I posted this inquiry...

As suggested I measured voltage on coach batts with engine off and with engine running with the batt disconnect ON. The voltage remained constant, about 12.5V.

The overwhelming consensus is the alternator "ought" to be charging the coach batts. I will call Winn tech support to get their insight. It could be I have a wiring error or failed component somewhere.

Appreciate everyone's responses, many thanks
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 29, 2016
Yes but verify with a voltmeter.
Mandalay_Parr
Explorer
Mar 29, 2016
All of my barrettes are charged by the engine alternator, shore and generator.
tderonne
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016
This post should help if you find you have issues.
crasster
Explorer II
Mar 28, 2016
Yes, most RV's use battery isolators and will send charge to house batts while driving.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 28, 2016
Every motor home I've ever seen charges when driving.

NOTE: if TV is an overhead where the driver can see it,.. Must be off when driving and there is an interlock.. (you can override the interlock by simply moving the plug to a different outlet though)

Suggestion would be an additional TV.. In my coach I ran a coax from the AUX out on my box of many buttons (matrix switch) to a spot beside the Euro-hair (Not for people when driving) and put a portable in that chair with a retainer strap to hold it.. Worked just fine.