house batteries not charging when engine running

jplacz2000 · 06-13-2018, 09:49 AM

i have a 2016 mirimar 35.2 i can hear solenoid click when i hit store/use button but when i start rv engine battery on inverter inly shows 12v any clues?

be happy · 06-13-2018, 09:56 AM

I could be wrong on this, but, I beleive the engine will only charge the engine battery. To charge the house batteries you will need to plug into shore power or use generator.

jplacz2000 · 06-13-2018, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by be happy

I could be wrong on this, but, I beleive the engine will only charge the engine battery. To charge the house batteries you will need to plug into shore power or use generator.

It did when I first bought the United something went would say 14.2 in inverter gauge weired

**16ACE27** · 06-13-2018, 10:57 AM

It is supposed to charge the house batteries as well. Perhaps the cross-connect relay has failed?

jplacz2000 · 06-13-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tfryman

It is supposed to charge the house batteries as well. Perhaps the cross-connect relay has failed?

It’s under bed I believe I will jump it today and see if that works

Bob Denman · 06-13-2018, 11:52 AM

Please let us know what you find, and good luck!

blw2 · 06-13-2018, 03:14 PM

I found that the solenoid was bad on mine when I discovered the same issue. Not the BIRD controller, but the contactor.
On mine, and as I understand a lot of others, this is under the hood. Mine is near/under the brake master cylinder back on the fire wall/fender area..
The contractor under the beds is the use/store one I think, not the BIRD

blw2 · 06-13-2018, 03:20 PM

can't find a photo of mine...but here is the manual for my BIRD controller. yours may be a different brand or model, but should be roughly the same I would guess...

In the schematic, it's the "isolator relay" that was bad on mine. It was very rusty....

This controller was mounted right next to this contactor.

blw2 · 06-13-2018, 03:22 PM

one more thing... you mentioned hearing the click. That's the wrong one.

This is the one you would hear when you press the emergency start switch

Bogie · 06-13-2018, 03:25 PM

Just went through this - three things to check but from my understanding the solenoid is usually a problem.

Once you find the solenoid and BIRD, track the wires and check for some fuses. There should be two of them. Make sure those are good.

Second test the solenoid. What worked for me was pressing the boost button while the engine was running. When the old solenoid was on there, no change in house battery voltage (even though it clicked). Put new solenoid on and when the button was engaged the house battery would charge.

Final piece is the BIRD .. basically tells everything to start charging bases on battery levels and a delay after starting the engine. I ordered this part, but found the fuses as I was getting ready to change it and had a blown fuse.

jplacz2000 · 06-14-2018, 09:47 AM

i checked it last night found the relay for store/use if stuck cant turn power off or on wiered i ordred new one online

Bob Denman · 06-14-2018, 11:51 AM

I hope that replacing it; does the trick for you!

jplacz2000 · 06-21-2018, 11:14 PM

We’ll I installed new solenoid today same thing when I hit switch to store /use it clicks but lights stay on no matter what not sure now

**16ACE27** · 06-22-2018, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplacz2000

We’ll I installed new solenoid today same thing when I hit switch to store /use it clicks but lights stay on no matter what not sure now

Are you plugged into Shore Power? The converter will supply the DC buss even when in STORE.

jplacz2000 · 06-22-2018, 12:49 AM

No unplugged it used to work properly then something went wrong

jplacz2000 · 06-22-2018, 12:56 AM

Even when I turn converter off when I hit switch lights flicker but don’t turn off into store mode maybee bad switch?

**16ACE27** · 06-22-2018, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplacz2000

Even when I turn converter off when I hit switch lights flicker but don’t turn off into store mode maybee bad switch?

Which switch? The light switch? No, not if the rest of the circuitry is working correctly; the lights would go off when you removed power from the DC buss.

The USE/STORE switch? Not if it is actuating the solenoid.

Sounds like the solenoid that cross-connects the house and chassis batteries may be stuck. Lift a lead on your chassis battery and see what happens.

jplacz2000 · 06-22-2018, 01:22 AM

The store/ use switch I’m talking about

jplacz2000 · 06-22-2018, 10:22 AM

I pulled the booster fuse out for that solenoid now it works wiered

Howard1257 · 07-01-2018, 10:46 AM

I have a 2015 Thor Citation and I also do not believe the engine generator will charge the house batterys . At least that is what I was told by Camping World. We need to be plugged into shore power or have the generator running

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