House batteries are charged but wont work.
I have a complicated issue. When I try to run my house batteries the only way I've managed to get them work is if I hold down on my house battery switch. I have tried clamping down the switch in order...
Forum Discussion
Typically, there are two different relays in play here, and you need to fully understand what they (are supposed to) do and how they do it.
The first is your house battery disconnect. The battery disconnect switch is a 2-way (on-off-on) momentary switch and needs to activate a latching relay, just as RLS7201 stated. Pressing the momentary switch puts power (momentarily) to the relay, which closes and then "latches" closed even after you release the switch. This connects the house battery to the RV systems (including the generator starter). Pressing the switch the other way (momentarily) deactivates that relay, disconnecting the house battery from the RV.
The second one is the emergency start (or "boost") switch, which is also momentary (1-way; on-off), but this one activates a continuous duty relay that temporarily connects the house battery and the chassis battery only as long as you hold the switch. This relay also activates when the engine is running in order to charge the house batteries from the engine alternator while driving.
Your latching relay (the house battery disconnect relay) is bad (or the wrong type of relay).
(BTW, your coach could also have a 3rd relay, just like the first one, to disconnect the chassis battery as well. It would operate exactly like the house battery disconnect)
The first is your house battery disconnect. The battery disconnect switch is a 2-way (on-off-on) momentary switch and needs to activate a latching relay, just as RLS7201 stated. Pressing the momentary switch puts power (momentarily) to the relay, which closes and then "latches" closed even after you release the switch. This connects the house battery to the RV systems (including the generator starter). Pressing the switch the other way (momentarily) deactivates that relay, disconnecting the house battery from the RV.
The second one is the emergency start (or "boost") switch, which is also momentary (1-way; on-off), but this one activates a continuous duty relay that temporarily connects the house battery and the chassis battery only as long as you hold the switch. This relay also activates when the engine is running in order to charge the house batteries from the engine alternator while driving.
Your latching relay (the house battery disconnect relay) is bad (or the wrong type of relay).
(BTW, your coach could also have a 3rd relay, just like the first one, to disconnect the chassis battery as well. It would operate exactly like the house battery disconnect)
