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spotrot's avatar
spotrot
Explorer
Aug 15, 2015

Winnie/Itasca coach vs chassis battery wiring notes

In case it is of use to others, this is how my 2008 30B was wired - and this was not in the owners manual:

When the engine is running, the alternator only charges the chassis battery -- it does not charge the coach batteries.

Also, when the RV is plugged into 120v, its inverter only charges the coach batteries; it does not charge the chassis battery.

Likewise the Onan generator only charges the coach batteries.

(I installed a switch to jumper the coach and chassis batteries when needed so that all batteries will charge when driving or when plugged in at a campground)

Other Notes:

The dash cig lighter outlet connects to the coach batteries.
The steps connect to the chassis battery.
Class A
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Aug 16, 2015
    ALL Winne/Itascas charge the Coach batteries from the chassis Alternator. This is from the 2008 Winne/Itasca owners manual. So, the OP needs to find out what part of his charging system is bad. Doug "The house batteries can also provide
    emergency power to start the engine if the chassis
    battery is discharged. (See “Battery Boost
    Switch” or “Aux Start Switch”).
    House batteries are automatically charged by
    the chassis alternator while the engine is running".
  • FIRE_UP's avatar
    FIRE_UP
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2015
    MrWizard wrote:
    its Normal for the alternator to charge EVERYTHING, either thru diode base isolator or heavy duty charge relay (any MH that does not charge the house from the alternator has a problem that needs to be tracked down and fixed)

    it is also very common for the 120v charging circuits to only charge the house side RV batteries
    some MH's have a Bi-directional charging for all batteries from either source
    but it is NOT common


    This answer ought to be posted, at the beginning of ALL battery problem/issues/questions whether it pertains to the individual question(s) or not. Very, very good answer.
    Scott
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Aug 16, 2015
    Hi,

    I purchased mine while in USA.

    Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
    Don; Who was your Canadian source for Amp-L-Start? I can't find anyone who carries them. I just lost my second Xantrex Echo Charger to moisture/fumes. (On the battery comp door)
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Aug 15, 2015
    its Normal for the alternator to charge EVERYTHING, either thru diode base isolator or heavy duty charge relay (any MH that does not charge the house from the alternator has a problem that needs to be tracked down and fixed)

    it is also very common for the 120v charging circuits to only charge the house side RV batteries
    some MH's have a Bi-directional charging for all batteries from either source
    but it is NOT common
  • Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
    Canadian_Rainbi
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2015
    Don; Who was your Canadian source for Amp-L-Start? I can't find anyone who carries them. I just lost my second Xantrex Echo Charger to moisture/fumes. (On the battery comp door)
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Aug 15, 2015
    As I wished to maintain the starter battery I added a trik-l-start. This allows any charging done to the house batteries to flow to the starter battery.

    There is now a higher amperage alternative called an amp-l-start.

    Both of the devices are diode based and do show voltage drop.
  • Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
    Canadian_Rainbi
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2015
    spotrot wrote:
    In case it is of use to others, this is how my 2008 30B was wired - and this was not in the owners manual:

    When the engine is running, the alternator only charges the chassis battery -- it does not charge the coach batteries.

    Also, when the RV is plugged into 120v, its inverter only charges the coach batteries; it does not charge the chassis battery.

    Likewise the Onan generator only charges the coach batteries.

    (I installed a switch to jumper the coach and chassis batteries when needed so that all batteries will charge when driving or when plugged in at a campground)

    Other Notes:

    The dash cig lighter outlet connects to the coach batteries.
    The steps connect to the chassis battery.



    My highlight above; this is NOT normal. Probably a failed diode or solenoid.

    To charge chassis batteries from gen, shore power, solar, use a charger that charges from the house batteries when the the house batteries are at an adequate voltage. For example, our Xantrex Echo Charger charges the chassis batteries when: The chassis batteries are 0.5V to 1.0V less than the house batteries AND the house batteries are 13.0V or greater.
  • Pangaea_Ron's avatar
    Pangaea_Ron
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2015
    My 2008 Itasca SunCruiser also was not wired to charge the starting/chassis battery when plugged into 120vAC or from the generator (verified with Itasca technician when I purchased it). I added a "smart" charger to do that.

    It's amazing where they choose to save money.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Aug 15, 2015
    Hi,

    Check for a blown fuse in the engine compartment fuse box. Mine blew regularly so I had it replaced with an automatic circuit breaker.

    The OEM charging solenoid had burned contacts within a year--I replaced it with a continuous duty with a much higher amp rating.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Aug 15, 2015
    Never heard of a coach that did not charge BOTH battery banks from the alternator.

    Look for either a solenoid-based battery isolator or diode-based battery isolator.

    Just trace the heave gauge cable from the B+ terminal of the alternator.

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