Battery Maintenance Contactor (solenoid)

[wolfe10]

Solenoid failure is not that uncommon.

And if you can locate it outside the battery compartment without adding too much length to those large-gauge cables that is great. Properly gusset them if going through a bulkhead, as they are un-fused.

I will make a comment on one of your statements-- you say you start the engine once a month while parked.

STRONGLY suggest that you not start any diesel engine unless you can drive it at least 25 highway miles. If the OIL, not just coolant can not attain operating temperature, you are doing more harm than good by starting. And there is no way that a diesel can reach oil operating temperature without a load on it.

Also, when parked in one place for an extended period of time, make sure fuel tank is full to minimize condensation.

Brett

[PIPEWRENCHGRIP]

Solenoid failure is not that uncommon.

And if you can locate it outside the battery compartment without adding too much length to those large-gauge cables that is great. Properly gusset them if going through a bulkhead, as they are un-fused.

I will make a comment on one of your statements-- you say you start the engine once a month while parked.

STRONGLY suggest that you not start any diesel engine unless you can drive it at least 25 highway miles. If the OIL, not just coolant can not attain operating temperature, you are doing more harm than good by starting. And there is no way that a diesel can reach oil operating temperature without a load on it.

Also, when parked in one place for an extended period of time, make sure fuel tank is full to minimize condensation.

Brett

I'll take that under consideration. I am aware that I won't reach operating temp, but I thought would still be better to circulate the oil in the engine and transmission once in while.

Bill

[garykd]

Hi Bill,

I agree with Brett. Once the coach is parked, the automotive components go to sleep and are not disturbed until the coach is to travel again. I do run the generator once a month for 1 hour. The generator is put under load via the HVAC and HWH. This is for the benefit of the electricity generating part of the generator not the automotive part. I shut off the HVAC and HWH for about 5 minutes before shutting down the generator. This does allow the automotive part of the generator to come up to operating temp.

[peepafox]

To All:

Moving the contactor to outside the battery box will not solve the problem. I have replaced at lease six of those relays for the problem you just discribed. The problem is that most of the time the contactor is connected very little current is flowing (both sets of batteries are charged) and the contacts then corrode. The corrsion also is generated each time the contact make contact.

The better solution is to replace the contactor with one that has silver coated conatcts. They are a little more expensive.

An example is the Bear Family 12 volt Contactor PN 114-1211-0200.

It can be purchased from Mur Cal Inc

sales@murcal.com Price is approximately $33 plus tax and shipping.

Telephone 661-272-4700 Larry Fox Monaco 04 windsor

[PIPEWRENCHGRIP]

To All:

Moving the contactor to outside the battery box will not solve the problem. I have replaced at lease six of those relays for the problem you just discribed. The problem is that most of the time the contactor is connected very little current is flowing (both sets of batteries are charged) and the contacts then corrode. The corrsion also is generated each time the contact make contact.

The better solution is to replace the contactor with one that has silver coated conatcts. They are a little more expensive.

An example is the Bear Family 12 volt Contactor PN 114-1211-0200.

It can be purchased from Mur Cal Inc

sales@murcal.com Price is approximately $33 plus tax and shipping.

Telephone 661-272-4700 Larry Fox Monaco 04 windsor

Thanks Larry, I'll keep that in mind. The one I put in cost more that double the price you quoted, and I think it is in the Bear Family. I have a spare right now, so I'll keep an eye it.

Bill

[GUNTHER]

I have the same problem with my 08 Safari Simba diesel pusher. At present I am using a small BATTERY MINDER cube charger to keep up the starting battery--The battery compartment needs more ventilation--will order new solenoid and try for more air in the compartment as charging fumes are highly corrosive that's why the connections are covered with red anti-corrosion grease from the factory--too bad Monaco went with a cheap contactor as their desire to save a few cents can ruin the reliability of an otherwise well designed coach.

[GUNTHER]

REPLACED CONTACTOR WITH ONE THAT HAS NEW SILVER CONTACTS NOW EVERYTHING WORKS CORRECTLY --- ENGINE CHARGES BOTH SETS OF BATTERIES WHILE RUNNING AND INVERTER - CHARGER KEEPS BOTH SETS OF BATTERIES FULLY CHARGED WHILE CONNECTED TO SHORE POWER - ALL AUTOMATICALLY WITH NO MANUAL INTERVENTION. WHAT A WONDERFUL THING WHEN EVERYTHING WORKS CORRECTLY !!!!

THANKS TO ALL !!!