Forum Discussion

TC_Z's avatar
TC_Z
Explorer
Mar 28, 2016

Are Coach Batteries Charged When Driving?

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....
Class A
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2016
    rvten wrote:
    Yes your coach batteries are charged off the engine altenator.


    IF it is working the way it was designed.

    Test that the voltage goes up a bit when the engine is running to be sure. (without the gen running and shore power disconnected).
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2016
    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 Ken

    OOPS Didn't mean to dupe what MOWERMECH said - He has a faster keyboard than I do I reckon haha... Sorry bout that Chief...
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2016
    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.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Mar 28, 2016
    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.
  • rvten's avatar
    rvten
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2016
    Yes your coach batteries are charged off the engine altenator.
  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2016
    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.

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