Forum Discussion
- wa8yxmExplorer IIIThe inverter has no control over what it charges. Only how it charges.
IF the body builder used a BIRD type battery isolator (Bidirectional Isolator Relay Device) then both engine and house chargers charge each other's batteries.
If not. then not.. However there is an add on (Trickle start) that will add the reverse capability.
How to find out? Your volt meter is your friend.
Park, shut off engine and plug into shore.
Set up. take your time. or even over night
Take voltmeter or multimeter set to DV volts 15 or 20 volt range (Depending on meter) Measure voltage on house batteries AT THE BATTERY.. Should be over 13
Measure chassis (engine) over 13 being charged (Float voltage) under 13 NOT. (General guideline.. specific voltage depends on thigs like Chassis should not be higher than house battery when shore charging) (Overnight means house SHOULD be full. ) - Simple answer is NO. The Chassis and Coach ARE NOT connected directly to the Inverter/Charger. BUT!!!! Most OEM's install an Interlock system to charge the Chassis with a relay system that is automatic. The BEST way to determine is to take a chassis voltage reading before connecting to shore power. Plug the RV in and wait 10 minutes. Then check the chassis voltage reading. IF the voltage is higher, your system does. The reason to wait 10 minutes is, some systems take up to 10 minutes to transfer voltage. Without knowing your exact charge system the 10 minute rule is used. Doug
- jeromepExplorer IITypically, coaches have a relay which closes a circuit when the engine is on that allows the vehicle alternator to trickle charge the house batteries. Once the vehicle is turned off, that relay opens and the vehicle electrical system is isolated from the house electrical system. In this structure you'll have an emergency start or auxiliary start button on your dash. That button closes a relay which allows the vehicle to start from your house batteries. The idea is that if you have been parked for some time, maybe you have had shore power or maybe you have run your generator, but your house batteries are full, you can start your rig with house batteries and get going. This is the historical way most coach builders have provided for any interconnection between house electrical and engine electrical. Ideally you want the two systems to be separate from each other.
Unless a previous owner has modified this electrical structure, you should assume that your chassis battery is not connected to the house charging system except for the situations I detailed above. The Trick-L-Start would resolve this limitation for you. - pianotunaNomad IIIIf testing shows no charging, add a Trik-L-Start.
- sch911ExplorerOurs does. It came with an isolation relay from Monaco for that purpose.
- wolfe10Explorer
time2roll wrote:
Put your voltmeter on the chassis battery after a few days of resting while plugged in.
13.2+ volts indicates charging. 12.6 or lower indicates not charging.
Best answer, as it neither assumes how it was originally wired, what was modified in the 20 years since leaving the factory OR what no longer works. - skipper13Explorerwe now have a 2012 sportscoach pathfinder elite with the ms 2000 inverter/charger
- Put your voltmeter on the chassis battery after a few days of resting while plugged in.
13.2+ volts indicates charging. 12.6 or lower indicates not charging. - IvylogExplorer IIIDoubt your 02 CCC charges the engine batteries.
- Matt_ColieExplorer IISkip,
As it was built, most likely it does not do that.
In the 20 years since that coach left the manufacturer, a lot may have transpired. While a piece of the system may have been replaced, or a device added, most likely this does not been done. It requires the owner to put in that capability.
Without knowing that specific coach, I can only make a guess and recommend a device called a Trikl-Start. That will charge the chassis battery when connected to shore power. Or, if the isolator that allows the house battery to be charged by the main engine (chassis) system has been replaced with a "Combiner", then that is taken care of.
Matt
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