[bikestuff]

Gang,

I should know the answer to this but I don't. Ok. I admit it!

When I an traveling down the road, with the generator off....am I draining my house batteries to run refrigerator and other stuff? Or, is there some magic way that the house batteries take voltage from the alternator?

Let me ask this another way. If I left Birmingham at 6am and drove at 60 mph for 12 hours. Would I still have ice in my freezer?

Somehow I always assumed that when driving the house batteries were kept charged...but now I don't know. I have not had any troubles...but I had time on my hands so I started thinking...

I know dangerous!

Thanks,
bill

[folivier]

The way I understand it is the system automatically merges the house & chassis batteries when the engine is running. The merge switches are used when you are parked or when extra boost is needed to start the engine. At least that is how it works on my '93. Yeah, I usually cause problems when I try to fix something that ain't broke....

[Fulltiming]

Forest is correct. The coaches are set up to automatically merge the house and chassis batteries so they will both get current from the alternator when the engine is running. However, Newell recommends routine replacement of the battery merge solenoids. If the merge solenoid fails, you can end up running down the coach batteries. These are continuous duty solenoids. Do not let someone try to replace them with starter type solenoids. Starter type solenoids are meant to only be engaged for a few seconds, typically less than a minute, at a time. They will not last but a short time before they overheat and fail when subjected to continuous duty.

[Chester Stone]

I am probably mistaken, but perhaps the later Newell models use and isolater which allocated the alternator current to the battery bank needing the most charge. Correct me if I am wrong.

[Fulltiming]

Tom, do you know if your 2002 uses the same relay system as the 90's models did? Chester, I was making an assumption that Newell had continued the same system. We will try to get you clarification on this. You may be correct.

[encantotom]

it does have the same merge relay and i replaced it to be sure it was new.

i do have the same 3 position merge switch up on the dash.

there is a battery isolator, the blue box on the right is a sure power industries battery isolator.

to be honest i have not traced out how the merge switch interacts with the isolator. i believe it still basically operates the same way.

tom

       

[Fulltiming]

Thanks Tom. I thought I saw the merge relay on yours when I was at your house but as I get older, I don't always remember what I saw and what I dreamed.

[bikestuff]

Ok...So I have a merge switch, solenoid, and an isolator. If I leave the switch alone...the coach will figure out how to charge the house batteries? Or do I have to use the switch while driving?

One of the reasons I asked this question is that just after I got the coach, I stopped at a truckstop and the engine would not crank. I ended up merging the batteries and was able to get going. If I had somehow drained the house batteries, I would have been stuck. So fast forward to the question at hand. If the coach merges the engine and house batteries while driving...and I loose an alternator, then I could drain out both sets of batteries.

Or as if often the case...am I mistaken?

Cheers,
bill

[Chester Stone]

If you lost the alternator, you should know very quickly since the dash volt meter will show no charging. The house batteries should slowly discharge due to house appliances, not the engine. The merge switch should be a momentary switch, disengaging when released. Hope this is correct and helps.

[bikestuff]

Thanks! On my coach the voltmeter on the dash is pretty iffy...but I do have the correct voltage on the Silverleaf. I am always afraid I will not notice when (and if) I lose the alternator. My coach has had problems with the belt running true...and has thrown the belt on occasion.

Although I think I have the belt issue fixed...it has left me with a lingering doubt!

Thanks for all the help!

bill