Just bought a 2008 challenger A class by damon. The same day we bought the rv, the previous owner replaced the coach batteries. When we arrived to view the rv, the engine, and generator were running (turned off Gen couple of times to demo). Lights, both air conditioners, lights etc were functioning. Being late and out of state after purchasing, we laid over that night using Gen. Before pulling out next morning, everything shut down. Batteries were DEAD! Previous owners said they always docked and therefore they never experienced that problem. Made it back (7+ hr trip with coach power. Put new batteries in and rv service installed new transfer switch. Gen started and had coach electric. Used steps a few times total (literally) and after couple of days opened door and steps wouldn't engage. Applied a charger to the 2 batteries and after all night, still won't fully charge batteries (used same charger to ensure they were fully charged before installing). Please advise.
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Last question. when you said
Applied a charger to the 2 batteries and after all night, still won't fully charge batteries
How are you determining the batteries won't fully charge? Is that from a multimeter check at the batteries themselves? Or is that from the push button four light panel in the coach? I ask because I know in my trailer the little push button four light panel only ever shows 3/4 full even when the batteries are fully charged. The only way to know for sure is to take voltage readings straight from the batteries.
Here's a chart of battery voltages. If you notice it doesn't take much for a battery to be dead. That's why it's important to get voltage numbers for us to be able to help you troubleshoot.
Also when you said
Gen started and had coach electric. Used steps a few times total (literally) and after couple of days opened door and steps wouldn't engage.
When the steps opened for a couple of days was that with generator off and no shore power hooked up? If so then you know that the house batteries were at least initially charged.
If your batteries were initially charged then be aware that the house batteries will only have enough power to run the systems for a few days. If you run the heater at night you can pretty much bet on the rule of thumb of "one night per battery" before the batteries are drained and can't power the house.
A few questions to hopefully help us understand your system and what you have already attempted.
You said
Put new batteries in and rv service installed new transfer switch.
Assuming when you said "Put new batteries in" you were referring to new house batteries and not the coach batteries. With the new batteries installed did the interior items like water pump and overhead lights work without the generator running or the RV plugged in to shore power?
Do you have a digital multimeter to be able to check the voltage of the house batteries? If so what is the voltage with the generator off and shore power disconnected and with the generator running?
Do you know that the toggle switch works and lets power through to the coach? I'm assuming if you flip the toggle switch with the generator running you would know if the switch cuts power or not.
Yes, a "toggle" switch on the left just inside the door.
Is there a master switch just inside the door that turns off all battery power?
