Forum Discussion

MetalGator's avatar
MetalGator
Nomad
Jun 13, 2017

Battery "store" and "use" switch

We just purchased our new motorhome this weekend and one of things I didn't test was running the motorhome on battery. On the drive home, I noticed the dash radio/camera/navagation wasn't working. When I got home and plugged in, all was well.

There is a switch right inside the coach that is the the battery. It has a "use" and "store" position. I believe the wrong type of switch was installed or the switch is bad. It's a rocker type switch which always goes back to the middle when you let your finger off the switch. I here the relay click when I put the battery on "use" but then here the battery click again when I let off the switch. If I hold the switch in the "use" position, all is well. Shouldn't this switch be a two way (either on or off)? The switch next to the battery switch looks the same for the steps. It stays in the on or off position as it should. I have included a picture so you can see both switches. I guess I will have to teach one of my dogs to home the switch in while underway so I can have the dash radio until fixed!

Edit: For some reason I can't post the picture.

Seeking Advice
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jun 14, 2017
    Ah, Oh, in a case like that your Brother (P-Touch that is) is your Friend.

    Simply re-label the switch.

    IF you want, you can swap the wires.. but .. way, way, way easier to re-label.
  • MetalGator's avatar
    MetalGator
    Nomad
    Jun 14, 2017
    Looks like it is 3 stage. Absorption Mode, Bulk mode and Float Mode. Float mode says "In this mode, the converter is charging the battery with a trickle voltage of 13.2Vdc. When the converter senses a demand, the converter automatically returns to Absorption mode".
  • MetalGator's avatar
    MetalGator
    Nomad
    Jun 14, 2017
    John Wayne wrote:
    Just remember if you leave it plugged in all the time if you don't have a smart multi stage converter / inverter charger it will boil the battery water so keep an eye on the battery water level.


    I will have to look at the manual for the converter/inverter but I kept my travel trailer plugged in 24/7 for the last 6 years with no issues and was still using the original battery. I did have to top off the water in the batteries every couple of months.
  • John_Wayne's avatar
    John_Wayne
    Explorer II
    Jun 14, 2017
    Just remember if you leave it plugged in all the time if you don't have a smart multi stage converter / inverter charger it will boil the battery water so keep an eye on the battery water level.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2017
    MetalGator wrote:
    When I am not using the coach, it is stored in a garage plugged into power .......


    OK, so to "fix" the switch, just change the labels. ;)

    But then about being continuously plugged in, you REALLY should check the voltage at which your converter "floats" the batteries.

    If it is a single stage OEM model, that voltage is probably a bit too high and will tend to "boil" water off the batteries.
  • MetalGator's avatar
    MetalGator
    Nomad
    Jun 14, 2017
    Thanks for the replies. The switch is working, however, it is wired wrong. If I push the switch to "use" there is a click but everything in the coach is dead unless plugged into power. If I push the switch to "store" the coach comes to life. Whoever installed the switch must have wired it wrong. When I am not using the coach, it is stored in a garage plugged into power so I can't think of a reason to ever disconnect the batteries.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jun 14, 2017
    You have basically the same Intelletec Battery Control Center system I have, and that is the proper type of switch.. It operates a latching solenoid elsewhere in the RV.

    Now.. On mine, when it was NEW.. It worked, but shortly after it failed.. I fixed it There are 3 ways Easy, hard and expensive (hardest)

    The easy way
    Find your BCC (Battery control center) it will say "Battery control center" on the cover. open it up and pull all the 5 amp fuses.. Just the 5's, ignore all others.

    now cycle that switch use/store/use/store 50-100 times

    now replace the fuses and hit USE You should hear a CLUNK if so, Good job

    Harder: I disconnected the switch and cycled it 50-100 times.. Worked

    Hardest (Expensive)_ New switch but I do not think it is needed yet.
  • Hank_MI's avatar
    Hank_MI
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2017
    No, it's a momentary switch. The battery disconnect solenoid latches in the on or off position when the switch is pushed to the on or off position.

    The step switch is an on/off rocker switch. The 2 switches look the same but they're not.

    When in storage disconnect the batteries. When you take it out of storage connect the batteries. The engine alternator should charge both the engine and coach batteries while the engine is running. The converter will charge the coach batteries when plugged into shore power or when the generator is running. It may also charge the engine battery depending on your particular coach.
  • rvten's avatar
    rvten
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2017
    No.
    All my MH,s had a rocker switch.
    Only time you need it is fir storage or changing batteries.
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2017
    Didn't you make this exact same post yesterday...or a couple of days ago ?

    If not, someone else has the EXACT SAME SITUATION......and explained it with almost identical words.

    That switch is connected to a "self locking" relay. For it to stay locked in the "use" position there must be some charge in the batteries.

    Check the cables on the battery and check the voltage. For that, you need a multimeter.

    Also.....it would be somewhat unusual for the dashboard electronics to be permanently connected to the house batteries. Mine has another switch near your left knee when sitting in the drivers seat.

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