03-11-2019, 06:20 AM
It looks like the battery voltage is at 12.5 for both bank 1 and 2 (my house banks are split for some odd reason.
I failed yesterday to do the analysis on the batteries because it was Sunday and my body had to rest...
I will try to check them today.
Chester: I always use the merge switch when sitting still (PLUGGED IN TO SHORE POWER) - unless there is something fishy with yours you should be able to keep all your batteries charged when sitting for a while; this operation would use your inverter/charger to keep the batteries up (including the engine starting batteries). Apparently when the switch is flipped in the UP position the house batteries are used to energize a solenoid to connect the banks together. If the switch is flipped in the DOWN position then the engine batteries are used to energize the solenoid and charge all the batteries. This switch also enables you to be able to connect the house and engine batteries together to start either the engine or generator. Once you start the engine you should turn the merge function OFF (middle position).
I just learned that the generator has an alternator on it to charge the batteries but it is pretty weak (if it works) and does not charge very fast. I am slowly learning and documenting the electrical system and Tom helped me to see the light a little more clearly yesterday with a drawing and explanation. He should give a clinic on electrical systems at one of the rallies! I am working on a diagram of his drawing to show the different systems in the coach and how they work together - I can share a link but it is in LucidChart.com so you have to join to see it...
Here is the current (DRAFT) drawing and I'll update it as I get more info and time.
I failed yesterday to do the analysis on the batteries because it was Sunday and my body had to rest...
I will try to check them today.
Chester: I always use the merge switch when sitting still (PLUGGED IN TO SHORE POWER) - unless there is something fishy with yours you should be able to keep all your batteries charged when sitting for a while; this operation would use your inverter/charger to keep the batteries up (including the engine starting batteries). Apparently when the switch is flipped in the UP position the house batteries are used to energize a solenoid to connect the banks together. If the switch is flipped in the DOWN position then the engine batteries are used to energize the solenoid and charge all the batteries. This switch also enables you to be able to connect the house and engine batteries together to start either the engine or generator. Once you start the engine you should turn the merge function OFF (middle position).
I just learned that the generator has an alternator on it to charge the batteries but it is pretty weak (if it works) and does not charge very fast. I am slowly learning and documenting the electrical system and Tom helped me to see the light a little more clearly yesterday with a drawing and explanation. He should give a clinic on electrical systems at one of the rallies! I am working on a diagram of his drawing to show the different systems in the coach and how they work together - I can share a link but it is in LucidChart.com so you have to join to see it...
Here is the current (DRAFT) drawing and I'll update it as I get more info and time.
Karen & Adrian Abshire
1998 2 slide 45' Newell Coach 498
Prior: 1985 Foretravel ORED 35, 1988 38' Foretravel U280, 2000 Foretravel 42' U320, 1990 Bluebird Wanderlodge WB40