Lessons on Chassis Battery and Circuits, 2008 Itasca/Ford
The following may be useful for members inspecting or troubleshooting their coaches:
When the engine is running, the alternator only charges the chassis battery -- it does not charge the coach batteries. Also, when the RV is plugged into 120v, its converter/charger only charges the coach batteries; it does not charge the chassis battery. Likewise the Onan generator only charges the coach batteries.
Notes:
The dash cig lighter outlet connects to the coach batteries.
The steps connect to the chassis battery (even with the relays off).
The driver’s seat reading light (switched by the dash thumb wheel) draws from the chassis battery. The passenger’s seat reading light, and all other 12v interior lights, are powered by the coach batteries.
If the steps are left out, the chassis battery will be discharged (even when the RV is plugged into shore power) I unplugged the step light to prevent this.
The chassis battery will be discharged (even when the RV is plugged into shore power) by the relays or other components in it circuits. Turning off the chassis battery prevents this.
I installed a switch to jumper the coach and chassis batteries so all batteries will charge when I want when driving or when plugged in at a campground)
Chassis Battery and Circuits
With the Chassis battery relay on, there is a 0.47 Amp drain but drops to 0.034 A after 2 minutes
Chassis battery has an additional drain of 0.3 A when the steps are out due to underneath step light and this is not turned off when the chassis battery relay is switched off
Even with the step light disconnected and the chassis battery relay is switched off, there is an additional drain of 0.066 A but this drops to .006 after 5 minutes.
Circuit breakers (for slide, lift, etc) are behind a panel in the right front compartment.
When the engine is running, the alternator only charges the chassis battery -- it does not charge the coach batteries. Also, when the RV is plugged into 120v, its converter/charger only charges the coach batteries; it does not charge the chassis battery. Likewise the Onan generator only charges the coach batteries.
Notes:
The dash cig lighter outlet connects to the coach batteries.
The steps connect to the chassis battery (even with the relays off).
The driver’s seat reading light (switched by the dash thumb wheel) draws from the chassis battery. The passenger’s seat reading light, and all other 12v interior lights, are powered by the coach batteries.
If the steps are left out, the chassis battery will be discharged (even when the RV is plugged into shore power) I unplugged the step light to prevent this.
The chassis battery will be discharged (even when the RV is plugged into shore power) by the relays or other components in it circuits. Turning off the chassis battery prevents this.
I installed a switch to jumper the coach and chassis batteries so all batteries will charge when I want when driving or when plugged in at a campground)
Chassis Battery and Circuits
With the Chassis battery relay on, there is a 0.47 Amp drain but drops to 0.034 A after 2 minutes
Chassis battery has an additional drain of 0.3 A when the steps are out due to underneath step light and this is not turned off when the chassis battery relay is switched off
Even with the step light disconnected and the chassis battery relay is switched off, there is an additional drain of 0.066 A but this drops to .006 after 5 minutes.
Circuit breakers (for slide, lift, etc) are behind a panel in the right front compartment.
