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TZScales
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015

Jump Starting 2007 Monaco Executive

We own a 2007 Monaco Executive that is parked in a covered space in a storage facility. There is no electrical hookup to run the onboard charger inverter. There are three chassis batteries (12 volt AGM) and 8 house batteries (6 volts each and wet cell).

When it is cold, I have a time trying to start the engine and sometimes I am successful and other times I have no luck. When I jump start, I hook the jumper cables (heavy duty) to my truck's battery (650 Cold Cranking Amps (CCAs)) and to two of the three batteries (950 CCAs each). There are two batteries that have the positive and negative connected so that I can jump them properly. Yes, I know that the CCAs are not compatible, but sometimes I am lucky.

I am researching the feasibility of a jump starter with 1400 - 1800 CCAs that I can use to assist in this effort. Based on some of my readings, there is one school of thought that endorses a portable jump starter and another school of thought that says that it is a waste of time.

In the past, I have removed all three chassis batteries and charged each individually at home; however, this is just a pain and I do no relish performing this task.

I am soliciting your sage advice and/or recommendations as to any heavy duty jump starter or if I am wasting my time. The ones I have researched so far comprise either two or three group 31 AGM batteries and the total package weighs from 289 - 300 pounds.

Please excuse the long post and Happy Holidays!!!!!!
  • UPDATE!!

    I was able to start the coach after charging the batteries for two hours via the generator and turning on the block heater. The engine started on the first start. I took it out on a 91 mile round trip and did not turn the engine off until I returned to the storage facility. Before departing I disconnected all negative cables from the house and chassis batteries. This was probably overkill, but I wanted to make sure there was no parasitic drain on all eleven batteries.

    I will be returning probably the first of next week to find out if this method works and hopefully starting the engine.

    Thanks much to everyone's input.