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BugsRLB's avatar
BugsRLB
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014

Could I get a charging system explanation please?

As told in another post, the TC and Chevy got hit by lightning! :E
Truck was at dealer for 2 weeks and after replacing many modules and $4000 later it was fixed. TC generator got a new control board and works great now. Still waiting on the "system monitor" panel.

Labor Day we used the TC for the weekend. Got home and left it on the truck because I knew we had to get the TC back to the shop. Few days later we went to bring TC back to shop and the truck would not start. Batteries were dead and had to jump start truck. This has never happened before.

My question is:
Is there a relay or module or something in the truck that could have been hit by lightning that does not allow the TC to suck juice from the truck? We have the standard Lance wiring harness with all the lighting leads wired to the rear of the truck and a (+)&(-) going to the battery.

14 Replies

  • Super_Dave wrote:
    Yes, there is an anti-suck relay between the battery and the truck plug in the bed of the truck.


    GM doesn't install one.
  • DWeikert wrote:
    There's nothing stock on your truck to isolate the truck and camper batteries.


    Ditto.

    GM does not install any sort of isolation device to cut off power to the trailer plug or camper wiring when the truck is not running.

    Sometimes a camper dealer will install one when a person buys a new camper and has the dealer get the truck ready for the camper, in the form of a large solenoid.

    The way to test your truck is with a test light or voltmeter. Check for 12 volts on the battery charge line when the truck isn't running. If there's no 12v there with the truck off, but is when the truck is running, this would seem to indicate there's a solenoid.

    If there IS 12v when the truck is NOT running, then there's no solenoid, or the solenoid is stuck in the ON position.
  • There's nothing stock on your truck to isolate the truck and camper batteries. Don't know if there is anything internal on your Lance. I installed a continuous duty solenoid on my truck to prevent the camper from draining the truck battery when not in use.

    Although, since I have solar on the camper maybe I should remove that to keep the truck battery charged...?
  • Yes, there is an anti-suck relay between the battery and the truck plug in the bed of the truck.