Chassis Battery

[rmerrittjr]

It seems my coach battery is draining down during the time I am plugged into a 30amp source. After three days of being plugged in a 30 amp source the coach battery was completely dead, the alternative source (two sis volts)does not help in starting the engine. I jumped the batter from my car and drove it straight to a battery shop. The guy checked the battery said it was holding a charge under a load and there seemed to be nothing wrong with the battery. The gage is now showing fully charged. What coud be draining the battery, I have looked at all the storage bins and other parts of the rv and cannot find what is draining the battery. I do have a backup camera and the camera is wired into the running lights so it only comes on when I have the headlamps on, the monitor I assume is wired to the coach battery. would this be an issue, it does not look like it is powered up when the ignition is off. Someone has mentioned it could be the starter, would this cause the battery to die? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Blaster_Man]

We have friends with a mid 90s Safari with the same problem as the OP. He puts a trickle charger on the chassis batteries, works fine.

[Jim]

A 2001 probably has 'adaptive software' computers in both the engine and the tranni...along with the radio memory, and all the other things mentioned here so far. All of which draw from the Chassis battery. That's why you're only getting three days. I wouldn't worry to much as I've seen this issue thousands of times on RV forums. Most just add a Trik-L-Start, or, if they have a 120Vac outlet near the battery compartment, a float charger for $20.

[rmerrittjr]

2001 Damon Daybreak 454 workhorse

[bluwtr49]

If you add an echo charge like this:

Magnum

It will solve the problem.

[lanerd]

Our manual actually states that our chassis batteries are charged when on shore power.....but after checking with Monaco, they informed me that the same manual is used for different models, but not all models are wired the same. In my case, the chassis batteries are NOT charged when on shore power (I must have the cheap model).

I initially bought a trickle charger, but it was cumbersome because in order for it to work, required 120vac which, in my case, required me to run an extension cord from my electrical compartment under the motor home to the battery compartment.

I then heard about the Trik-l-start here on rv.net. Purchased it and then installed it in about 5 minutes due to the fact there's only three small wires to connect. No problems with chassis batteries going dead ever since.

Ron

[JFC]

I have a five year old Scepter and have replaced the chasis batteries five times. Luckily, the first time Monaco replaced under warranty, the remainder were replaced under warranty by the shop that services the coach. Each time the batteries tested totally dead. After the fourth set, they asked to have the coach to check out the electrical system and found nothing wrong. Even with the battery cut off swich off, there is still a samll drain on the chassis batteries for the various engine and transmission modules. I switched to storage with plug in facilities and still had a problem. Service shop checked with Monaco and discovered that the chassis batteries only charge when engine is running, so being plugged in makes no difference. Monaco offfered a replacement module to charge the chassis batteries while on shore power, but it was less expensive to have the shop instal a trickle charger. No problems since. Amazing what they leave out of the owner's manual. Good Lcuk.

[time2roll]

After plugging into 30 amp for 24+ hours, what is the chassis battery voltage?
If the RV has a system to keep the chassis battery charge it is time to give it a review.
If no system to keep the chassis battery charged then it is simple to add a Trik-L-Start and have no more worries.

[OnaQuest]

rmerrittjr, what make and model motorhome do you have? With that information we can probably tell you if the chassis battery is supposed to be charging while you are on shore power. Some do and some don't.

Since you say your aux start function from the aux batteries doesn't function either, I think you may have a defective Aux Start/Charge/Isolation solenoid.

In any event, you either have a very weak chassis (starting) battery or you have a fairly large unidentified drain on it.

Looking forward to your response.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

John Wayne wrote:
On most MH (gas) the starting batt. is only charged when the engine is running. The starting batt. powers among other things, starter , steps,back up camera, some cigarette lighter ports, hard wired smoke and propane alarms, etc. you need to look into a Trik-L-Start unit to keep the starting charged while hooked to shore power.

On our DP the chassis battery also powers the hydraulic pump motor for the stabilisers and slides.

Even so, three days is a very short time to go completely dead. There is something wrong somewhere. Something is drawing current continuously.

Once you diagnose and repair the problem, some sort of chassis battery charger is recommended. We use the Xantrex Echo Charger.

[John_Wayne]

On most MH (gas) the starting batt. is only charged when the engine is running. The starting batt. powers among other things, starter , steps,back up camera, some cigarette lighter ports, hard wired smoke and propane alarms, etc. you need to look into a Trik-L-Start unit to keep the starting charged while hooked to shore power.

[rvten]

Back up here.
Your PO says chaasis battery. Than you talk about the coach battery.
Starting battery is chassis battery.
Are you using the radio? Is your step turned off.
A Scan Gage will draw down a chassis battery also.