Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> House battery charging question
Post Info TOPIC: House battery charging question
breckrider


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 34
Date:
House battery charging question
Permalink  

I have an '85 Class C "Lindy" by Skyline with a 3500 Onan generator.  I'm a little confused about what charges what.  Does the generator charge the house battery?  Does the generator start from the house battery or the motor battery? 

I recently had the motor battery lose power.  We turned off the motor.  When I tried to restart the motor, the generator died and wouldn't start again until we got the motor battery charged. 

I also appear to be in the same boat that the house battery doesn't charge when connected to shore power.  I've read that there's a switch.  Where would that be located?

__________________
Roz


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 458
Date:
Permalink  

Yes and no are the answers to your questions.  But the answers to your questions depend on your particular RV. 

In some units, the house battery powers the Gen Set to crank, in others it may be the engine battery.  Usually, the Gen Set should be charging the house batteries.  In newer units, shore power usually charges the house batteries and depending on the electrical setup also the engine batteries.

As to a switch to alter the distribution of shore power, again it depends on the individual unit.  If you can obtain any printed material from Skyline, or phone/e-mail advice from Skyline or an owner of a similar unit, you will get your answers.

A good RV tech should be able to provide answers.  Stay after the info and you shall receive!!



__________________
Ethel & Charles Henry, Itasca Horizon DP/Honda Element Toad
Traveling with our furry-snouted, four-legged children.

"Each of us must take part in making this a better world for all people."
bjoyce


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 3722
Date:
Permalink  

With a 1985 RV it would not be surprising if someone had not changed the setup over the years, so even knowing how it was originally might not tell you the whole story.
You have already determined the engine and generator share the engine battery for starting.
Anyway most RVs treat the generator just like shore power and thus use the same battery charging method for both shore power and the generator. Your engine should also be able to charge the batteries but the electronics piece that allows this might be disconnected or broken.
If you have a good multi-meter and are comfortable using it you can trace the charging.
Unfortunately there are no standards here so that is why we are not being that helpful, we would have to trace it ourselves and we need your motorhome in front of us to do that.

__________________

Bill Joyce,
40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com
Full-timing since July 2003
breckrider


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 34
Date:
Permalink  

I'll get out and play with the multimeter. I have the original owner's phone number and have called but have not gotten a call back. I'll see if I can find a Lindy group somewhere.

__________________
LakeConroePenny


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 58
Date:
Permalink  

Most MH's that I have had, had a "Momentary Switch". Usually a rocker switch that you can hold down, temporarily, to use BOTH batteries for starting genny or engine, in case one should be low on juice. Someone might have messed with it, and wired it into the permanent position.
Happy Trails, Penny, TX

-- Edited by LakeConroePenny on Tuesday 9th of June 2009 07:35:03 PM

__________________
Don't drink and drive, ever.
I loved my dog, he was not motivated by money !!
Have a safe one. www.pennys-tuppence.blogspot.com
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> House battery charging question
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us