02-01-2016, 05:22 AM
Beware that if you keep the batteries merged when the coach is parked (and you're not camping) you will find all the batteries including your start batteries dead if the coach power is interrupted without you noticing. This happened to me when the coach was parked at the house.
Chappell, I'm living the scenario you described...my AC compressor went bad so I removed the single belt which also ran the alternator. To keep the batteries up they're all merged and generator must run when we aren't plugged in. This is an exception to the merge rule only because the alternator isn't running.
In a fully functional coach, the batteries are "merged" when running the main engine using a device called the isolator. It looks like a little car stereo amplifier (aluminum block with heat dissipating fins) and has 3 big wires coming to it. It is a part that all motorhomes use not just Newell (although they use a huge one). It is the part directing where to send the alternator's power. The guys at Newell said you'll eventually burn it up if you run your engine (and alternator) with the battery switch in either of the two merge settings.
My little echo charger to keep the engine batteries up by stealing from the house batteries (without merging) is located in the drivers side bay with vacuum and near the inverter. I know other coaches have them bc I read a thread where the folks were discussing them and less expensive alternatives. It was a part of the original build, not aftermarket.
Chappell, I'm living the scenario you described...my AC compressor went bad so I removed the single belt which also ran the alternator. To keep the batteries up they're all merged and generator must run when we aren't plugged in. This is an exception to the merge rule only because the alternator isn't running.
In a fully functional coach, the batteries are "merged" when running the main engine using a device called the isolator. It looks like a little car stereo amplifier (aluminum block with heat dissipating fins) and has 3 big wires coming to it. It is a part that all motorhomes use not just Newell (although they use a huge one). It is the part directing where to send the alternator's power. The guys at Newell said you'll eventually burn it up if you run your engine (and alternator) with the battery switch in either of the two merge settings.
My little echo charger to keep the engine batteries up by stealing from the house batteries (without merging) is located in the drivers side bay with vacuum and near the inverter. I know other coaches have them bc I read a thread where the folks were discussing them and less expensive alternatives. It was a part of the original build, not aftermarket.
Jonathan Shetler
1999 Newell 510
Ft Lauderdale, FL