seynel8228 Report post Posted September 9, 2020 I have a 99 36z arrow vision. I couple times I found the batteries dead. I had plug the cord and get the engine running and after a while ran the generator to keep them charged. Today I try to do the same but the generator won't start. I drive out and the motorhome died on me while driving. The transmission start acting weird, the gen never start but I told it will drive good with the alternator. Obviously the alternator is no good. I have no charger on except for the engine. And the cabin ac. There is any way to jump the generator to star? I know I can run the MH on the gen. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted September 9, 2020 Welcome to the FMCA discussion forums! In my opinion your first step is to have your starting battery tested to determine it's condition, and buy a new battery if it does not pass the test. Then after the battery is charged, disconnect the negative post until you have repaired the alternator. Yes, you may jump-start the genset from either a battery charger with a boost setting or from a different vehicle. Repairing/replacing the alternator would be next after replacing the bad batteries. The bad batteries likely caused the alternator to fail, specifically the voltage regulator module. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted September 9, 2020 As Ray said, Welcome to the Forum. Some good advice from Ray and I would like to add one thing. If your alternator is found to be bad, consider installing a higher amperage alternator, It may cost a bit more but you will faster charging. Do you leave the coach plugged into shore power when in storage? If not I would do as Ray said, when putting the coach up for a while make sure the batteries are fully charged and disconnect the ground cable on both the chassis and house batteries. Again, Welcome Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seynel8228 Report post Posted September 9, 2020 Well i just bought the coach. The 2 chassis 6v batteries are new F20 shows the sticker as well as the engine 24 group deep cycle. I try to jump the the generator right straight to the positive cable on the gen but won't crank. Can the low voltage make my transmission disengaged? The battery gauge was showing not charge when I first start today. I have to plug it to start. After a it runs for a little it came back to changing position but after 10 minutes drive the transmission stop and everything happens. Which battery power the generator to start? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted September 9, 2020 The engine battery is probably the wrong size, it should be a group 27 or 31. Also it should be a starting battery not deep cycle. Usually the generator starts off the house batteries. With the engine running the battery voltage on the start battery should be over 13 volts, the same for the house batteries. If you have to replace the alternator get the highest amp that will fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted September 9, 2020 First CHARGE all the batteries. I'm sorry but you can't do any test till you have fully charged batteties. You may find the only problem is Dad batteries. Let us know what you find after the batteries are charged. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seynel8228 Report post Posted September 9, 2020 First problem the hpuse battery where wired wrong. Coming positive cable coming on in the negative of the bat connector connected on series coming out on the positive side to the negative cable. I have try to get the 6 volts change for the last 4 hours they are just 40 % have it on the rig the right way but I can get the battery switched to came on. Same thing with the chassis they said it charge full but I can get the switch on no power on the engine or generator. Can something else be wrong.? Will a secondary generator be enough to power the original gen on? I know with the gen running I can get back home. Thanks guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted September 9, 2020 If the picture is showing how the batteries were wired then they are correct. The house works on 12 volts. And to get 12 volts out of two 6 volt batteries the two 6 volts must be wired in series. If you parallel then all you have is 6 volts. Sorry you don't have a secondary generator. You have an Alternator on the engine and coach generator. Do you know how many amps you auxiliary generator out out. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted September 9, 2020 I enlarged your house battery picture, and as Herman said they are correctly wired. The engine starter battery as DD69 said is too small for the job. As Herman said you need to disconnect the engine battery and put a good charger on it to try to bring it up to maximum voltage (at least 12.8) rested, then have the battery checked with a reputable checker to determine if the battery is good. A bad cell in the battery will cause the alternator for the coach to falsely try to overcharge because the battery is not coming up as it should and will eventually ruin the alternator. Also though, a bad connection to the battery, either positive or ground, can cause the battery to not charge correctly. A bad connection can be at either end of the cable, not just the battery end, this is especially true on the ground connection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seynel8228 Report post Posted September 9, 2020 Ok update. . I finally figured out the problem. On the house batteries they are just 40% charge but they where wired wrong. The red cables are ground(neg)On the very left and the very right black single cable is the +(positive). I get them right and plug a construction gen and get the coach gen running. Now I still have no luck starting the engine. I try the aux start and no crank. I wi keep the gen running hoping the chassis battery get charged. Definitely I'm Getting a regular chassis battery instead of a deep cycle. So far generator running everything looks fine except no cracking or clicking or anything on the coach engine. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted September 10, 2020 Somebody sure did some funny wiring, red in most cases indicate positive, and black normally is negative. Glad you were able to figure it out, just make sure that those red wires are attached to the chassis and not the generator/alternator. I haven't seen positive ground on anything except military vehicles/generators in years. Some of the pre 12 volt farm tractors (6 volt) used positive ground. LOL🙃 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted September 10, 2020 OK take some more pictures. Show me the cable going to a ground on the frame. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted September 10, 2020 Seynel this website fully explains how and why the 12V battery system works: http://marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seynel8228 Report post Posted September 10, 2020 Well so far batteries full. I found the aux start solenoid is not working g but the chasis baterry is 100% tested a 700 cca and good. I get a fresh number 7 blowing. It should be the starter fuse since I didn't a test and it blows right when you switch the starter to cranck. I'll said the firewall relay/solenoid when out. My boy was the one start the engine that day and he leave stuck for a moment. Im still have to figured out the charging problem after I get it running. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seynel8228 Report post Posted September 12, 2020 Well it looks I have a problem on the BCC. I finally get it to start new firewall solenoid the old has a switch connector grounded. I got it running the alternator is charging 14.3 volt. The issue with the power shows today again. After 10 mins drive to pump gas the cluster turns crazy the something on front of the driver side start clicking. Looks like the BCC or something on it. After that I get no power to the gen-set infact my house 110 volt start flickering and the generator will kill them when I try to start it. Tomorrow I'll take it apart i post picture for a future troubleshooting. Thanks you all if anyone have any feedbacks they are welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaypsmith Report post Posted September 12, 2020 15 hours ago, Seynel8228 said: Well it looks I have a problem on the BCC. What is a BCC? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted September 12, 2020 3 hours ago, kaypsmith said: What is a BCC? Wild guess but I think he is talking about the Battery Control Center. Many of the problems are from not having adequate 12 Volt power to operate the controls/circuit boards. Op may have damage some stuff with the batteries hooked up backward. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seynel8228 Report post Posted September 14, 2020 (edited) Well the BCC like Bill said is the battery control center a black box under the hood. On my case is labeled f73-1020. Bill point is true low or reverse battery can be a problem, but my issue start actually before my first post. I keep losing all the battery power from chassis and house battery after 2 days of the🔌. If i don't run the engine or keep it plugged even when everything isn't be used my batteries will died. I also found that my house batteries and chassis battery won't linked together due to a possible fail on the hatching solenoid inside the BCC. Now my next step is to pull out the BCC to rebuild the solenoid and fix the feeds coming to the solenoid. The battery wiring to it is a hazard since the bolts feeding the battery power to inside the box have skinny plastic grommets that become melted and can fried the hole coach. I'll keep taking pictures and maybe a video. If anyone have any ideas to share we are welcome to have them. Thanks guys Edited September 14, 2020 by Seynel8228 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
