Trailer Life Magazine Open Roads Forum: Tech Issues: Charging Problem 89 Chieftan 31'


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JCFIXIT13

Skippack, PA, USA

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Joined: 06/21/2003

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Posted: 06/21/03 04:16pm

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While driving with headlights on, heard low battery warning from aux. batteries. Aux batteries were at 8v, found main battery also at 8v, only the ignition was still working. Once parked, charged main and aux batteries with an external charger. Everything appears to be working properly now without any work done on it.
Has anyone had this problem, also, where is the battery isolator located on this rig? Anyone have a wiring diagram of the charging system?
Thanks, John

MELM

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Posted: 06/21/03 07:54pm

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JCFIXIT13, Welcome to the forum.

What chassis do you have - Ford or Chevy?

Winnebago may be able to provide the schematic to you. They have a link to contact them at their website - here's a link to it: http://www.winnebagoind.com/.

Other members may have specifics, but I can only make some general comments.

First, you probably have a switch that operates a solenoid/relay to connect the chassis and house batteries. It may be three position with one spring loaded and labelled MOM - for Momentary. That is for starting when the engine battery is low. The center position would be off, and the other position would be continuous and would allow the alternator to charge the house batteries (and allow the house to run down all the batteries if the engine wasn't running). Since all the batteries ran down, I suspect it was in the continuous position - connecting both the house and chassis batteries together.

It sounds like the alternator was not charging if the voltage dropped that low with only the lights on. Most auto parts stores can check the charging system, and do not charge for that.

Hope this gets things started to resolve your problem.

Mel & Mary Ann; Mo'Be (More Behave...) and Bella
"If you have an RV, you don't need another hobby." Comment from a friend...

90 Champion LaSalle MH 29 ft P30 (89 Chassis)

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