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Topic: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator (Read 745 times) previous topic - next topic
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House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Yahoo Message Number: 55937
The chassis battery charges just fine from both the alternator and the echo charger while on shore power. The house batteries charge just fine when on shore power but will not charge from the alternator while driving. There must be a breaker (open) or fuse (blown). I have looked briefly, but did not locate it. Before beginning a more exaustive search, I thought I would check to see if any one could tell me where to look.

Thanks in advance

William Brumley
06 Inspire #51675

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55938
It is not often I can post the same answer to two different posts on one forum in one day, but here goes:
My rig has a battery isolator attached in the engine compartment to the battery bank enclosure wall.
The alternator lead attaches to the isolator center lug and the house and chassis positive battery leads attach to either side lug.
Perhaps you have such an isolator and it has failed on the house side?

Dean

95 Magna 5280

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55940
We have the same identical issue with our coach. I hope to spend some time on it tomorrow in the storage area. I will look and check for an isolator. William note our coach number.
Ned Herrmann

06 Inspire #51677

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55949
I think this has already been suggested, but hit your battery boost switch (engine off) and listen for it to click (back at the chassis battery compartment). The boost solenoid may be stuck, and this may free it.
The same thing happened to me about two months ago - - that fixed it.

Jay

05 Inspire 51457

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55965
Dean

I spent part of the afternoon checking our Inspire for an isolator. The alternator heavy wire goes to the starter soleniod . The start battery positive is also on the post. So it is not in the circuit to the battery. Checked just about everywhere else and then got sidetracked on other issues. Tomorrow is another day.
Ned Herrmann
06 Inspire 51677

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55967
Dean on the charging system from Alt to house it is controlled at the solenoid by an additional post on the oil pressure switch from the engine. The first check would be to see if the batt boost is working. This would be the rocker switch on the drivers panel. You will need to locate the boost solenoid and check the voltage on both large posts and record the readings. Then have someone hold down the boost switch and check the readings again they should level out to within 1 or 2 10ths of a volt.if this reading is good we now know that the solenoid is not the issue the next suspect would be the oil pressure switch. If you have your wire diagrams I can help you locate the correct wire from the switch.

Thank You John (JD) Davis

JDRV INC.
RV Parts, Service & Support
La pine Or.

www.jdrv1.com jd@...
541-306-6473

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55968
John

So the boost solenoid should be closed for the alternator to charge the house batts. It is activated by the oil pressure switch or the dash switch. That's how the current gets to the HB's from the alt.
John, I still need to get with you on the pars for the wet PTO. Let me get a couple other issues cleaned up. Thanks Ned Herrmann
06 Inspire 51677

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55969
Yes Ned that is correct hope this helped.

Thank You John (JD) Davis

JDRV INC.
RV Parts, Service & Support
La pine Or.

www.jdrv1.com jd@...
541-306-6473

Re: House Batteries not Charging from Alternator

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 55984
Dean,

If I had a well done wiring diagram to help understand exactly how the system worked, this would be much easier.
In the back of the chassis battery compartment, I did find a relay/switch. It appeared to be fed by a large 6g red wire center on top, perhaps from the alternator. There was also an adjacent terminal top with what appeared to be another lead (from the oil pressure switch?). Near the bottom of the switch were two smaller leads 10g? with a diode between them. I could not trace the wires.
Also in the chassis battery compartment there is a second switch/relay which is clearly fed from the chassis battery on one side and the house batteries on the other. The echo charger is also attached here. I believe this is the battery boost switch, which appears to be operating.
Tomorrow I will check the voltage from the from the two leads of the first switch/relay mentioned above with and without the engine running. The two leads however seem too small for battery charging, unless the switch limits current to 20 or 30 amps.

William Brumley

06 Inspire # 51675 (apparently 2 coaches before Ned)