battery charging
Coachmen freelander. My engine does not charge the coach batteries. What do I look for?
Forum Discussion
Dave22 wrote:
Is there a difference between "ignition on" and "engine running"?
i think not.
if no BIRD, and a manual says your engine is supposed to charge both batteries, then maybe the isolator solenoid is bad. also, there may be a 'black boxish' diode that does what the BIRD does.
i disconnected my BIRD and the 2 small terminal wires that trigger the isolator solenoid to couple the 2 batts (they are the 2 big terminals).
those isolator solenoids go out like camera flash bulbs. after the second iso solenoid ruined both new batts by being stuck on always, i disengaged it. the other solenoid for house battery disconnect is fine.
if your iso solenoid is bad and there is no blown fuse to it, it may be hot to the touch as one indicator. mine was stuck on and warm, but in your case, since it seems to be off, if there is no fuse (mine had none), maybe the diode thingy is bad, or maybe the previousowner did what i did.
if you hear the iso solenoid click when toggling the emergency start switch on the dash, it is connected to the ignition. a multimeter touching both small iso terminals would read 12+ V when the solenoid is on.
