F442378

Well, I found the solenoid, read the two large lugs, sure enough, the mains are low (10.26) and the Aux read 14.04 volts. The mains started at 9 volts this morning and seem to be slowly gaining power. Strangely, when I try to start, absolutely nothing happens other than buzzing and clicking sounds. The amp meter on dash reads about 9 amps. I have tried shore power (50 amp), no difference in starting. This morning, I found a 3 amp fuse blown, replaced it and nothing changed. It was a fuse for one of the battery banks, I have a 3 amp for the main and a 3 amp for the house bank (aux). I think I will work on the idea you suggested to jump the strong battery bank with the weak bank using a wire. This should show if the solenoid is working. The solenoid did get very warm to hot today during my testing and probing. I am not sure I have set up the Xantrex Freedon 458 Inverter/charger correctly. I know, I should not have messed with the settings but the starting problem months ago encouraged me to see how to set it up properly. Bad decision. I don’t know what size (amps) or type batteries (cool gel, warm gel, cool wet, warm wet, to choose so I am guessing somewhat. I know they must be wet, they have tops that expose water over the plates, at least the house batteries do, all four of them. The main batteries are self-contained…they are the starter batteries that won’t stay charged. After I jump start the bus with my car, the mains hold charge for a couple days. So, the system is not charging the mains properly. Wonder if it is because two batteries re self-contained mains (sealed?) and four house batteries are “wet”. Humm. So, I am going to leave the project until perhaps tomorrow and see if anyone responds. Did I mention that the electrical system is augmented with the 50 amp Smart Energy Management System Model 900 with a EMS distribution panel? Harvey

I am impressed by the immediate response. Thank you Brett. Violet (wife) and I are beginning to enjoy the pleasures of travel in our motor home. Violet is retired and I am beginning to move in that direction after 30 years as founders of our marketing company. I am motivated to learn the nuances of this machine. May I ask a few questions and orientate myself. I assume the solenoid is located near the battery compartments at rear of bus. I have a “tracer” that will tone a wire and allow me to find the other end, I think. This should help find the solenoid. I assume the large lugs are the connector “terminals” on the solenoid, one leading to the batteries for the chassis bank (main or starter batteries-I have two of these batteries together in one compartment) and the other lug leads to the house bank, the other adjacent compartment with four batteries that supply the lights, fans, air conditioners and other coach needs…) I assume I will use the digital voltage meter to measure from ground to each of the large lugs individually. This appears to be the measure of the battery banks strength. Is this the same as measuring across the positive and negative terminals of the batteries? So, I think I should read about 12 to 13 volts from each bank. If so, the next step is the small jumper wire from the aux switch. I assume that if it is working properly, when I engage the aux switch, I should see a strong 12 volts. My curious mind tells me that if both banks of batteries are fully charged to 12 volts and I jump them with the aux switch, I have simply made a big 12 volt gang of batteries and this doesn’t sound correct to me…that is, if the chassis bank is weak and the house bank is strong, then the jumper wire would transfer the house bank to the chassis bank and start the engine…. I’ll have to study the jumper wire technique that actuates the solenoid IF there is a low reading that prevents the chassis battery from actuating the solenoid. Am I close to understanding this? Hope I’m not rambling around and misunderstanding the directions. Are you able to attach a drawing of the aux switch, solenoid and battery banks? I will remove the aux switch cover by the drivers side panel and see what the wire arrangement looks like (one or two wires). This will be a fun adventure. Harvey

I have a 2006 Fleetwood Expedition with a Xantrex Freedom Inverter/charger. Batteries are less than two years old. Nothing happens when I push the Aux battery rocker switch on to assist start when mains are weak (I'll start another topic later to address the constantly weak main battery situation). Is this a major problem or do I just need to trace out some wiring with a volt meter or tracer…? Is there a web site to use for wiring diagrams for motor homes? Harvey