Testing a Battery Isolator Controller
I had a problem last week in "Q" where during the drive from Los Angeles to "Q", my coach batteries did not charge from the alternator. I pulled out the trusty cheepy, cra!!y HFT DMM and hooked it up...
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I replaced my worn relay with one from Grainger.com 6C017 is a 100 amp rated forklift relay with alloy contacts rated to turn on and off 100,000 times under load.
I also took the time to upgrade the wiring from my alternator to the new relay, to the coach battery with #4 wire. I never did look for or try to repair the factory relay. My 97 Bounder, the factory relay to recharge the battery failed with the RV about 10 years old.
Having a 400 watt solar system masked the problem, as the battery always started a trip full, and rarely ended a trip with less than full batteries. However on this trip, we used the inverter and microwave, and drove home at night. With the coach battery still low on power, I was able to figure out that the engine battery to coach battery relay (that is also the aux start relay) was either not working, or the contacts so dirty they did not transfer power very well.
Anyway the new relay solved the problem! I energized it with the +12 from the radio, or via a three way on-off-on switch, I am able to leave the relay on or off as desired.
Fred.
I also took the time to upgrade the wiring from my alternator to the new relay, to the coach battery with #4 wire. I never did look for or try to repair the factory relay. My 97 Bounder, the factory relay to recharge the battery failed with the RV about 10 years old.
Having a 400 watt solar system masked the problem, as the battery always started a trip full, and rarely ended a trip with less than full batteries. However on this trip, we used the inverter and microwave, and drove home at night. With the coach battery still low on power, I was able to figure out that the engine battery to coach battery relay (that is also the aux start relay) was either not working, or the contacts so dirty they did not transfer power very well.
Anyway the new relay solved the problem! I energized it with the +12 from the radio, or via a three way on-off-on switch, I am able to leave the relay on or off as desired.
Fred.
