Dead Chassis Battery Outlaw 29h

dogshowrv · 04-08-2018, 10:30 PM

My Outlaw is stored outside in the yard with No access to shore power. All winter, every few weeks I started up the generator with the heater on and ran the engine for 10 to 15 minutes to keep the coach & chassis batteries charged. This worked well even in zero outside temps. BUT...About three weeks ago the engine was a little slow to turn over which I chalked up to the weather. Today, the chassis battery is dead. The house batteries are at about 12 1/2 volts. SO that are holding their charge and they are still Okay. Any thoughts on what would have caused the chassis battery to go dead? Also, I have roadside assistance. What to do now? Thank you for your thoughts.

Bob Denman · 04-08-2018, 10:32 PM

Have you tried flipping the emergency start button yet?

That'll bring your coach batteries into the "starting game"!
Good luck!

dogshowrv · 04-08-2018, 11:21 PM

I was trying to figure out from the threads on the forum:...- do i just flip the switch then turn the key in the ignition- or hold the switch down for a while. AND THEN...I was trying to figure out how long should I keep the engine running if I can get ot started? I will try this tomorrow morning and update with results. THANK YOU.

tenbear · 04-08-2018, 11:38 PM

I would guess your chassis battery has some drain on it and the 15 minutes a week is not enough to keep the chassis battery charged. If you could run an extension cord to the RV and let it charge until the battery is charged that should work. It wouldn't require a heavy cord as long as you don't run other things. Otherwise you have to find the drain on the battery or charge for a longer time.

Bob Denman · 04-09-2018, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogshowrv

I was trying to figure out from the threads on the forum:...- do i just flip the switch then turn the key in the ignition- or hold the switch down for a while..

My guess: flip the switch, and give it about a minute...

Then fire things up!

**16ACE27** · 04-09-2018, 12:20 AM

No switch to flip: it is a hold in emergency spring return off switch. So put the switch in the EMERGENCY START position and attempt to start the coach.

It may not be completely accurate but I've been told that it takes 15 minutes of idling to charge back into the battery what is normally taken out to start the engine. So by that rule of thumb you weren't gaining anything by your monthly runs.

jnschnit · 04-09-2018, 12:22 AM

Copied from my 2014 30.1 owners manual
AUXILIARY START SYSTEM: Permits using the auxiliary battery power to aid in
starting the motorhome engine if the vehicle battery has become discharged. When the
ignition key is turned to the start position and one or more clicking sounds are heard, it
may be necessary to use the auxiliary start system as follows:
Always set the parking brake prior to using the auxiliary start system.
1. Press and hold the AUX START switch located on the dash.
2. Turn the key and start the engine in the normal manner.
3. Release the AUX START switch and operate motorhome in a normal manner.
Note: Do not hold the ignition key in the start position for more than
30 seconds.
Note: Be careful not to run down the auxiliary RV battery as this could
leave you without any 12 Volt power.

captmetal · 04-09-2018, 01:08 AM

had the same problem: solution was a new battery

dogshowrv · 04-09-2018, 01:47 AM

It’s dark now. I’ll try to start the engine tomorrow with daylight and let it run. I’ll post an update. Thank you.

dogshowrv · 04-09-2018, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnschnit

Copied from my 2014 30.1 owners manual
AUXILIARY START SYSTEM: Permits using the auxiliary battery power to aid in
starting the motorhome engine if the vehicle battery has become discharged. When the
ignition key is turned to the start position and one or more clicking sounds are heard, it
may be necessary to use the auxiliary start system as follows:
Always set the parking brake prior to using the auxiliary start system.
1. Press and hold the AUX START switch located on the dash.
2. Turn the key and start the engine in the normal manner.
3. Release the AUX START switch and operate motorhome in a normal manner.
Note: Do not hold the ignition key in the start position for more than
30 seconds.
Note: Be careful not to run down the auxiliary RV battery as this could
leave you without any 12 Volt power.

Re: your guidance - which I appreciate very much...”when the ignition key is turned ...and one or more clicking sounds are heard...” BUT.....when I turned the key in the ignition there was silence....dead silence...

dogshowrv · 04-09-2018, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogshowrv

Re: your guidance - which I appreciate very much...”when the ignition key is turned ...and one or more clicking sounds are heard...” BUT.....when I turned the key in the ignition there was silence....dead silence...

Thank you for your post. I was panicky when I couldn’t get the engine to start last night. This afternoon I read your post again. I followed the details exactly and then.... it was like MAGIC the engine turned over.

Bob Denman · 04-09-2018, 09:19 PM

Congratulations!!

laurine · 04-13-2018, 11:38 PM

Hello!
When I plug the RV in to shore power, does it charge the chassis battery? The coach battery?
We tried to start our Vegas this morning, but the battery was dead.
We followed the instructions for the Aux Start, but no success.
Not sure how we managed to drain both batteries - we were using the RV just a few days ago.
We are in the novice category and welcome all suggestions!

jnschnit · 04-14-2018, 12:10 AM

Did you check the master battery disconnect switch? If your plugged in and the master switch is in the use position I am pretty sure that both batteries should charge. My ACE 30.1 does.

laurine · 04-14-2018, 12:19 AM

I am also reading the guide by Ed Felker - I think he is saying the same thing.
Thank you!
I will try that!

bonesy · 04-17-2018, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogshowrv

My Outlaw is stored outside in the yard with No access to shore power. All winter, every few weeks I started up the generator with the heater on and ran the engine for 10 to 15 minutes to keep the coach & chassis batteries charged. This worked well even in zero outside temps. BUT...About three weeks ago the engine was a little slow to turn over which I chalked up to the weather. Today, the chassis battery is dead. The house batteries are at about 12 1/2 volts. SO that are holding their charge and they are still Okay. Any thoughts on what would have caused the chassis battery to go dead? Also, I have roadside assistance. What to do now? Thank you for your thoughts.

I recently had the same issue with my chassis battery. Started good for the longest time then finally gave up the ghost. Boosted it and it started, ran for 30+minutes, shut off for 10 or so then tried to start again and it did but by morning it was totally discharged again. It is a Ford chassis (2016) and apparently they have been having an issue with some of the batteries. Took back to Ford dealer and they replaced. (BY accessing thru front passenger wheel, which I made them aware of thanks to the FORUM). l'm curious if you're MH will start on its own the next day.

laurine · 04-17-2018, 10:26 PM

We had our Vegas in to the dealership this week for an issue with the furnace and had them check the batteries while it was in (because it would not start when we had to take it to the dealership).
The house batteries both had to be replaced.
Not sure if that triggered the issue with the Ford chassis batteries - but possibly?
Also received good advice from the forum to make sure the master switch is in the use position when the RV is plugged in so that it charges properly.

dogshowrv · 04-18-2018, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonesy

I recently had the same issue with my chassis battery. Started good for the longest time then finally gave up the ghost. Boosted it and it started, ran for 30+minutes, shut off for 10 or so then tried to start again and it did but by morning it was totally discharged again. It is a Ford chassis (2016) and apparently they have been having an issue with some of the batteries. Took back to Ford dealer and they replaced. (BY accessing thru front passenger wheel, which I made them aware of thanks to the FORUM). l'm curious if you're MH will start on its own the next day.

I will post update ASAP tomorrow when i try to start it up.

dogshowrv · 04-28-2018, 08:54 PM

Well, solution was new battery. Ford suggested upgrading battery from 650 cc amps to a battery that has 850 cc amps for about $20 more. He showed me the Ford specs for the E450. So I decided to go for the upgrade. So far so good...

Bob Denman · 04-28-2018, 09:00 PM

Glad to hear that everything is back to "norbal".

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