mnikisher Report post Posted September 9, 2017 (edited) Our 2001 Safari Zanzibar M-3896 has suddenly developed a parasitic 4 ampere draw on the cable from the battery terminal to the starter motor solenoid. The solenoid terminal has at least two other cables attached and I have not been able to determine where they terminate. Has anyone here experienced this problem? Is there a source for wiring diagrams for this coach model? Thank you all for your suggestions. I have not tried disconnecting each wire attached to the solenoid as it is very difficult to access that terminal. I was hoping for a solution so I could avoid that. I will try disconnecting the "large wire attached to the alternator" as soon as I finish mowing. I should mention that when the engine is running there is no current flowing through that cable. There is a second cable that connects the chassis battery set to the power distribution buss under the bed inside the coach. That cable is also routed thru the "battery disconnect" switch in the maintenance bay. Interesting that one cannot actually completely disconnect the chassis battery set from the coach, contrary to what the user's guide suggests. Edited September 11, 2017 by mnikisher Adding detail. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Might check the big wire on the alternator. Disconnect it and see if you still have the 4 amp draw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lenp Report post Posted September 9, 2017 Disconnect each of the cables at the solenoid (one at a time) and see which one is drawing the four amps then trace that one. Lenp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted September 18, 2017 There is a possibility the starter solenoid or ignition switch is failing. Have you noticed a change in the way your engine starts coinciding with the draw? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnikisher Report post Posted October 9, 2017 On 9/9/2017 at 11:13 AM, desertdeals69 said: Might check the big wire on the alternator. Disconnect it and see if you still have the 4 amp draw. There are two "big" wires connected to the alternator. The red wire (connected to the battery) and the black wire (connected to ground). Disconnecting the red wire does not fix the draw problem, disconnecting the black wire does. Counter-intuitive yes? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted October 9, 2017 Do NOT operate the engine with the B+ wire off the alternator. Quite likely, you will blow the diodes in the alternator. In fact on boats with manual switches, that warning is printed right on the switch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted October 9, 2017 On the fancy switches it kills the rotor current before switching the battery cable to avoid blowing a diode. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted October 9, 2017 10 minutes ago, desertdeals69 said: On the fancy switches it kills the rotor current before switching the battery cable to avoid blowing a diode. Yup, there are marine "idiot-proof" switches made, but not on standard switches and certainly not if the B+ is just disconnected and then engine run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillAdams Report post Posted October 9, 2017 What's B+? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted October 9, 2017 27 minutes ago, BillAdams said: What's B+? The alternator B+ lug is the positive "out" from the alternator and generally connects to the center lug on a diode-based isolator or shares a lug with the chassis battery bank positive on a solenoid-based isolator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eddiebrock55 Report post Posted November 17, 2020 Did you ever find the source issue? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted November 17, 2020 Eddie, Welcome to the Forum. Since this posting hasn't been visited in over three years and the OP has only two postings they most likely won't respond. If you are having the same issue try starting a new Topic under Electrical with your question. Again Welcome. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossboyer Report post Posted November 17, 2020 If I remember correctly, the chassis is a Magnum. They had a constant load presented by the transmission. Many would have their chassis batteries die in 1 to 3 weeks while being stored. I don’t think the Salesman switch disconnected that load. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnikisher Report post Posted November 22, 2020 I'm back! The parasitic draw is still there. I've ordered a new alternator. I am curious about how the chassis and house battery sets are cabled. Is there someone here that would send me a photo (or sketch) of the battery compartment? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted November 22, 2020 Have you disconnected the negative cable from chassis battery while in storage? Do you have the 4 amp draw, when on generator or shore power? You may be looking at the wrong end of the horse! Herman, so much for a "dead" post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted November 22, 2020 mnikisher, is the alternator the root cause of the draw? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted November 22, 2020 Just wonder what lead you to believe the alternator was the root cause of the problem? Have you disconnected the battery grounds? Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f430040 Report post Posted November 25, 2020 You still have this problem, three years from your original post? You’ve got to be kidding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted November 25, 2020 f430040. LOL, hard to believe, but he's not the first one on this Forum! We have had a few others, they are no longer members. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
urbanhermit Report post Posted November 28, 2020 Where do the other two "cables" mentioned go? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
