Does Chassis batteries charge when plugged in
I've had two different answers, from two different RV tech's. I have a 2000 DP 39Z Bounder. its in inside storage, plugged in, but the chassis batteries keep losing charge. I keep having to charge t...
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Not knowing if yours is supposed to get charged in the first place let us assume you do not have the system set up for charging. The Trik-l-Start is an excellent device to keep the batteries from running down due to things like engine computers, clocks on radios, automatic steps, propane detectors etc. The Trik-L-Start is now standard equipment on many rv's so to say it is useless is just not the case. I installed one on my last rv and it worked perfectly. It only hands off 5-10 amps so is not designed to be a fast charge system. Look it up and find out for yourself.
Now let us assume you do have the system that will charge both banks. In that case with shoreline connected just measure the voltage on each bank of batteries. If they are the same the system is working. If not you need to do some simple checks. Follow the large + leads to where they come to either side of a device with two large nuts and possibly two smaller ones. This should be your auxiallary start and or charge solenoid. The voltage should be the same on each side of the large nut connections. If not. Measure the voltage on the small terminals. One should be 0 volts and the other should be 13.5 or so. If you find that then the solenoid is defective which is a common failure item. If you do not see the 13.5 on one of the smaller terminals you have a different issue. Something is not activating it. Have someone press your emergency start button at the drivers seat to see if the voltage shows up. If it does you should hear a large clunk and the voltage on each of the large nuts should be the same now. If you get this far let me know.
Now let us assume you do have the system that will charge both banks. In that case with shoreline connected just measure the voltage on each bank of batteries. If they are the same the system is working. If not you need to do some simple checks. Follow the large + leads to where they come to either side of a device with two large nuts and possibly two smaller ones. This should be your auxiallary start and or charge solenoid. The voltage should be the same on each side of the large nut connections. If not. Measure the voltage on the small terminals. One should be 0 volts and the other should be 13.5 or so. If you find that then the solenoid is defective which is a common failure item. If you do not see the 13.5 on one of the smaller terminals you have a different issue. Something is not activating it. Have someone press your emergency start button at the drivers seat to see if the voltage shows up. If it does you should hear a large clunk and the voltage on each of the large nuts should be the same now. If you get this far let me know.
