BT Cruiser Emergency start switch

[malojeer]

We bought an 07 Gulf Stream BT Cruiser model 5211 on a chevy chassis yesterday from a man that has severe form of memory issues and couldn't remember what the emergency start switch was for. I presume its to connect house batteries to engine battery. What is the correct way to use this feature if you need to?Thanks for any help

[DrewE]

JaxDad wrote:

DrewE wrote:
On my motorhome, the emergency start switch isn't very helpful for starting the generator unless one has a helper or somewhere around a fifteen foot armspan. .

With the standard rocker style switch all you need to do is roll up a small scrap of paper, I use a gas receipt, and slip it under the switch while holding it down. It will hold the solenoid closed while you start the generator, or just to top up the chassis battery while plugged in.

I guess I have a nonstandard emergency start switch. 🙂 It's fairly big round pushbutton on the dash board. Maybe a yardstick or ruler could hold it in place by wedging the other end against the driver's seat.

[JaxDad]

DrewE wrote:
On my motorhome, the emergency start switch isn't very helpful for starting the generator unless one has a helper or somewhere around a fifteen foot armspan. .

With the standard rocker style switch all you need to do is roll up a small scrap of paper, I use a gas receipt, and slip it under the switch while holding it down. It will hold the solenoid closed while you start the generator, or just to top up the chassis battery while plugged in.

[DrewE]

Exactly what the battery disconnect switch disconnects varies somewhat with different makes and models of RV. Often the propane and CO alarms are connected directly and stay on (but not always). Often the converter/charger is disconnected by the switch (but not always).

[Bobbo]

It disconnects the house battery from the house and converter/charger. Do that whenever appropriate.

EXAMPLE: When I bought my RV, it came with a Magnajunk 7345 converter. Those are KNOWN to kill batteries. I would leave the RV not plugged in, and disconnect the battery with that switch to keep parasitic drains from running it down.

About 3 or 4 years after buying the RV, I replaced the 7345 with a PD4655V 3 stage converter. Those take good care of your batteries. Now, I leave the RV plugged in 24/365 and never turn that switch off. I let the PD4655V keep the batteries in top shape.

SO, my recommendation would depend on which converter you have.

[malojeer]

I have another question. This rv has a master switch by the entrance door to the house part, Do I turn this switch off only when I put in storage or do I use this switch more frequently? Normally I leave the coach plugged in when I'm parked at home, does the master switch need to be in on position when plugged to shore power?

[LI-Camper]

Bring a set of jumper cables that could reach from your house batteries to your chassis battery in the event that the solenoid fails. You could also carry a quality battery jump-starter as a backup.

[pnichols]

I'm concerned with the interconnect solenoid failing when we're drycamping with no other vehicles around to jumper. The likelihood of this solenoid failing is far greater than both the coach battery system and the engine battery system failing at the same time.

- We do have a built-in 4KW Onan generator.
- We don't have solar.
- We - and other RV'ers - have experienced failures of this solenoid.
- We don't tow.
- We prefer maximum non-tow self-sufficiency ... and thus not having to rely on others being around/available for help ... any more than absolutely necessary when on RV trips.
- We have the space to easily bring along our little Honda EX650 suitcase generator, as we also need it for anytime/anyweather drycamp battery charging.
- We do carry along a spare interconnect solenoid, but firing up the EX650 would be far easier and quicker than installing another solenoid should the coach battery system or engine battery system fail unexpectedly when drycamping.

[Bobbo]

Do you have a built-in generator? If so, it would seem wasteful of both space and weight to carry a second generator. I carry a lot of spares, but not that. Since I am almost always towing, and with friends when not, in that kind of emergency, I would pull a car alongside the MH and use jumper cables.

My chassis engine starts from the chassis battery, my generator starts from the house battery. Both failing at the same time would be, odd, and both battery banks can easily be reached by the cables.

[pnichols]

And if the interconnect solenoid should ever not work so you can't hook both battery systems together for a built-in generator or main engine start, we always carry along a small portable generator that can charge either battery system. 😉

[DrewE]

Gene in NE wrote:
The emergency start switch is often used to start the generator. The coach battery(s) can get run down and you may want to use 120 volts for something. Either way, the switch connects the 2 banks of batteries.

The engine alternator would charge the coach batteries faster, but it would burn more gas and be noisier.

On my motorhome, the emergency start switch isn't very helpful for starting the generator unless one has a helper or somewhere around a fifteen foot armspan. What does work when alone is to start the main engine (which also activates the coupling relay) and then walking back to start the generator. Even better, of course, is to avoid letting the house battery get so low that the generator cannot be started.

[Gene_in_NE]

The emergency start switch is often used to start the generator. The coach battery(s) can get run down and you may want to use 120 volts for something. Either way, the switch connects the 2 banks of batteries.

The engine alternator would charge the coach batteries faster, but it would burn more gas and be noisier.

[malojeer]

thanks so much for info

[Bobbo]

What navegator said with the addition of "from the house batteries."

And you have to actually HOLD the button down while using it.

[navegator]

When the engine battery is low or empty, you push the emergency button and then turn the ignition key to start the engine.

navegator