Shore Power Question

My '94 DP Bounder did NOT have that feature. I had to add a $20 Schumacher charger. So my Bounder did not come with the BIRD. It was optional in '94 Bounders.

Blaster Man wrote:

RLS7201 wrote:
Yes, your Fleetwood coach is designed to charge all batteries when on shore power or generator. That has been a Fleetwood feature since the early 90s.


Richard
95 Bounder

Not always so. On my coach, shore power charges the coach batteries, but has to be putting out at least 13.3 volts for the coach batteries to let the charge go through to the chassis batteries. I found this out the hard way when the chassis batteries were dead and the coach would not start.

Yes, this is true of ALL motorhomes that have the Intellitec BIRD system. In theory, the system should keep the chassis up, but will fail to keep the Chassis if the voltage drops to float charge. Newmar uses the BIRD system but installed a small solar charger just for the chassis batteries to keep the chassis charged when the BIRD went to float. A way to fool this system if leaving plugged in for weeks at a time, is every 7 days or so, to disconnect Shore Power for a few seconds and reconnect. That will make the Coach charging system go to bulk charge and go over the 13.3 volt threshold. Doug

I added a Trik-L-Start to my Phaeton. Very simple to install. Have my RV plugged up to a low capacity ac source on the storage lot. Does not constantly charge the chassis batteries but monitors voltage and adds a slow charge when the voltage demands it.

I intentionally turned my ignition on, which pulls a lot of power for the glow plugs, but didn't start. This triggered the signal to the Trik-L-Start to start charging. Charging light stayed on for about 5 minutes, which indicated, to me, that it was doing the job.

RLS7201 wrote:
Yes, your Fleetwood coach is designed to charge all batteries when on shore power or generator. That has been a Fleetwood feature since the early 90s.


Richard
95 Bounder

Not always so. On my coach, shore power charges the coach batteries, but has to be putting out at least 13.3 volts for the coach batteries to let the charge go through to the chassis batteries. I found this out the hard way when the chassis batteries were dead and the coach would not start.

To be sure just place a MULTIMETER across the battery terminals... A fully charged battery will read 12.6-7VDC. Then connect to Shore Power and you should see your trailer battery jump to 13.6VDC telling you it is being charged. Your truck start DC Voltage across it terminals will do the same thing if it is wired to charge your truck start battery...

Roy ken

Arnold when on Shore Power take you Multi Meter and check your eng Btry.

imgoin4it wrote:
I believe all Newmar products charge both battery systems. Am sure about "most" and think all do.

our's certainly does ..... thru the Intelic brain box and a couple large solenoids.

I believe all Newmar products charge both battery systems. Am sure about "most" and think all do.

We have a class C but it did not charge the chassis battery either. I installed a trik-l-Start system to charge it for me anytime the shore power was connected. Easy install and it works great.

Dave

Yes, your Fleetwood coach is designed to charge all batteries when on shore power or generator. That has been a Fleetwood feature since the early 90s.


Richard
95 Bounder