I need help from all the AXIS/VEGAS gurus on here

[Mo_Mike]

Ok, I have been fighting the fact that my chassis battery "sometimes" charges while on shore power and sometimes doesn't. I know it is a relay issue, so I called THOR to find out what could be going on and get a set of schematics for the dash and chassis electrical (already had a set for the coach)

So, when I discussed the issue, the very nice THOR tech informed me that the charger that works with shore power doesnt charge the chassis battery.

When we purchased the coach, the dealer said the coach AND chassis batteries were charged on shore power. And, yes, I know not to put "too" much faith in the dealers comments, since they have lots of different coaches and brands to deal with. But, again right now, the chassis and coach batteries are being charged by shore power "charger" (each showing 13.1-13.3 volts)

What I need to find out from you great experienced AXIS\VEGAS jockeys on here is this: does shore power charge both the chassis and coach batteries, or am I chasing a wild goose and should look to find out why it is working and stop it.

[petew]

On my 2016 Vegas 24.1 the chassis battery does not charge when connected to shore power.
As such I have a separate Battery Tender wired to the chassis battery with a quick disconnect .

[JamieGeek]

Look around here there is a long thread discussing this issue and, I think, a simple mod to fix it (if your unit has the BIRD and Trombetta).

[mcr1010]

I show a charge on both chassis battery and house batteries when on shore power. 12.7 without and 13.4 on shore power more or less. At least that what the dash power socket says. I think that is the chassis battery. YMMV


Without shore power



With shore power

[Mo_Mike]

Where did you get your voltage indicators mcr1010?

[bevedfelker]

If you have a Battery Control Center (TH-1030) in the storage area under the driver's seat. When the coach is on shore power and the coach battery disconnect is engaged (USE/STORE in USE), the converter will charge the coach battery until it reaches 13.2vdc, at which time the interconnect relay will close after the 10-15sec. delay. This interconnect relay in the BCC controls battery charging to both chassis and coach batteries.

If you don't have a BCC you should have a Trombetta and BIRD under the hood toward the driver's side. These two devices control when and under what conditions the coach and chassis batteries are charged. The attached picture shows the Trombetta with red wires and BIRD (rectangular box next to Trombetta).

One point -- The USE/STORE switch must be in USE for the coach batteries to charge regardless of whether you have a BCC or BIRD/Trombetta.

So regardless of BCC or BIRD/Trombetta, both coach and chassis batteries should charge whether on shore power, generator power, or driving down the road with charging power coming from the engine driven alternator. Again, I can't stress this enough -- the coach batteries only charge when the USE/STORE switch is in USE (regardless of charging source.)

If your switches are positioned correctly and either the coach batteries or chassis battery are not charging, something is probably hooked up incorrectly and should go back to the dealer.

[bevedfelker]

Forgot BIRD/Trombetta pix on last post

[mcr1010]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

Where did you get your voltage indicators mcr1010?

I think you can still find them at the below links. The house voltmeter required a little cut-out for the meter.

Dash plug in voltmeter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...990494-6081355

House batteries voltmeter
https://www.amazon.com/Hittime-Panel.../dp/B008KY5ULW

[Mo_Mike]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

If you have a Battery Control Center (TH-1030) in the storage area under the driver's seat. When the coach is on shore power and the coach battery disconnect is engaged (USE/STORE in USE), the converter will charge the coach battery until it reaches 13.2vdc, at which time the interconnect relay will close after the 10-15sec. delay. This interconnect relay in the BCC controls battery charging to both chassis and coach batteries.

If you don't have a BCC you should have a Trombetta and BIRD under the hood toward the driver's side. These two devices control when and under what conditions the coach and chassis batteries are charged. The attached picture shows the Trombetta with red wires and BIRD (rectangular box next to Trombetta).

One point -- The USE/STORE switch must be in USE for the coach batteries to charge regardless of whether you have a BCC or BIRD/Trombetta.

So regardless of BCC or BIRD/Trombetta, both coach and chassis batteries should charge whether on shore power, generator power, or driving down the road with charging power coming from the engine driven alternator. Again, I can't stress this enough -- the coach batteries only charge when the USE/STORE switch is in USE (regardless of charging source.)

If your switches are positioned correctly and either the coach batteries or chassis battery are not charging, something is probably hooked up incorrectly and should go back to the dealer.

We have the BIRD and TROMBETTA on our 2016. I am having trouble figuring out where my issue (if I really have one) is. Right now both the coach and chassis are charging on shore power. The issue, I think, is if I start the engine while on shore power, the batteries disconnect from each other (as they should). And the chassis reads 14.4 from the alternator. However, if I stop the engine, the chassis battery doesn't reconnect to charge from shore power. I traced the chassis battery dropping to 11.6 still no charging. If I disconnect from shore and start the generator, no charging the chassis battery. However, if I disconnect from shore, turn off generator, and start the engine, I have 14.4 at both chassis and coach battery (again as I should since both are charging from the alternator). Then, if I shut off the engine and connect to shore power, I then have charging 13.1 at both chassis and coach. So it looks as though it takes power coming from the chassis to reset the relays for charging. Not sure if I have an issue, or just shouldn't start the engine while on shore power. THOR says the converter SHOULDNT charge the chassis, but at the moment it is. So, I am not sure if I have an issue or not.