Low voltage on chassis batteries after 2 weeks in storage

[William Harmon]

Chasis batteries only showing 4 volts after motorhome in storage for 2 weeks.  New Batteries in June 2017.  No problems before motorhome placed in storage.  House batteries seem to be fine.  Inverter/Charger is a Trace RV2012M.  Cannot open cargo bay door fully due to to brace on storage building   


                   2003 Beaver Contessa
                    ISL 370 Cummings
                    William Harmon

[Karl Welhart]

There could be several reasons.  Are you plugged into 120v?  If not, this would be normal drawn down for chassis batteries when under cover and no charger.  The drawn on these batteries can be very high due to engine and transmission electronic control units.  Do you have a disconnect switch for these batteries?  If not, I would recommend that on be installed to help with the voltage drain problem.

[William Harmon]

Thanks for responding. Yes,I am connected to 110 volts but so far it seems like the Chassis Batteries are not taking a charge.  They are either damaged or the charging system is not working on the Chassis Batteries..  Space is limited due to Cargo bay door not opening all the way.  I am not familiar with the Inverter/charger.

[Jerry Pattison]

Something was left with power on.  If you cannot get the battery bay door open, perhaps you can get a vehicle close enough to the generator.  You can jump to the generator connections to the chassis batteries, and hopefully get the generator running and/or charge the batteries.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

William,
Sounds like your Echo Charger is faulty. If operating correctly it will apply a trickle charge to the chassis batteries when the house batteries are fully charged (13v or higher). Also could be the Echo charger fuse is blown. If operating, LED on Echo Charger should be Green. To check the Echo charger, disconnect wire to starter batteries (Black w/red stripe I think). Voltage on it should be 12v+.
Steve

[William Harmon]

Thanks for input this problem.  I will advise each fo you what works, also Ed,could advise the location of the Echo Charger.

[Joel Ashley]

I have a BIRD system rather than an Echo, but as I recall from other threads here it’s often found on an engine compartment forward wall, perhaps just near/under a bedroom/closet removable floor panel.  But many say it’s in the battery compartment.You might check in the interim until someone more familiar with Echos chimes in.  Or search the Forum for “Echo location” threads.

Joel

This should be similar to what you are looking for:
https://www.partsmate.net/images/marine_products2/2/262/262-82012301.jpg

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

William,
On the 01 Contessas it was mounted on the bed frame inside the engine compartment. Access was by raising the bed platform.
Steve

[William Harmon]

Steve 
Unable to find Echo Charger on bed frame.  Pulled engine panel back but did not locate Echo Charger.

Jerry
May be able to get my pickup close enough to jump start the generator.  Does the generator need to extend out in order to attach the jumper cables?  Will the Start Gen Switch work? 

All
Wondering if I could charge Chassis  batteries with a car battery charger connected to 110 volt  Motorhome is in a covered building with both ends open for ventilation.  Thanks

[Karl Welhart]

William,

Echo Charger may be mounted above the coach batteries on the ceiling of that compartment.  It is a small electronic looking device with some wires coming out of it.  Did you say that the coach batteries are charged?  If so, you can use the booster switch on the console to tie both set of batteries together and may allow you to start the generator.

[William Harmon]

Thanks Karl for your input on my motorhome.  I have been unable to start my Cummings Diesel using the Booster switch due to the chassis batteries having only 4 volts mixed with House batteries with 12 + volts.  Just not enough voltage to turn the diesel over.  Also still unable to find the Echo Charger.

[Karl Welhart]

William,

Considering you have a 2003 Contessa with a Cummins engine, perhaps you do not have an Echo Charger.  Yes, you can use an automotive type of charger to charge your chassis batteries.  They may not take a charge because they are too far drained, but still try.  Then see if you can start the generator to charge up both set of batteries using the onboard inverter/charger.  Hopefully, your engine will start once the batteries are fully charged.

Good luck,

[Jim Houghton]

Since I own the same model and year coach. I have a complete owners manual on digits if you need it. I have it on my computer as long as it's not to big to send from my limited internet available during this deployment. On my rig when you open the battery compartment and are looking at the batteries you will see a black box on both sides with a blinking red light. These are the sensors indicating that the system is charging. if one of the sense wires are not properly connected then it will not charge correctly. The manual explains how the system works but does not have great pictures. Let me know if you may want the manual.

Jim

[William Harmon]

Good to hear from you again.  I have a 330+ page Owners manual for the 2003 Contessa that may be the same.  If not I would like access to the online manual.  Maintenance is getting very expensive on these big rigs.  As of now, I purchased an 85 starting amp charger and was able to charge the chassis batteries to a point where they started the engine.  The built in charger in the coach would not start a charge on the the low voltage batteries. I have been able to move the coach where I can now open the battery cargo bay door.  I am not discounting the possiblty that something may have been on to cause the voltage drop on the chassis batteries.  We have also had some big electrical storms that may have contributed to the problem.  We have had lights in our home come on during electrical storms.  I have not been able to find the 2 black boxes with red lights in the battery area you mentioned so, I don't know if the problem is still therefor not.  We are planning a trip to North Carolina in July.  Thanks  WBH

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

William,
Per the Owner's Manual for a 2003 Beaver, the coach came with an Echo Charger. If you look in the Coach Assist on the Private Members Only board you will find an 03 Beaver Owner's Manual. The diagram on page 297 shows the Echo Charger mounted on the wall of the rear electrical bay just below the battery cut-off switches. Here's the link (you have to be logged in to view anything on the Members Only board).  http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,2897.msg21771.html#msg21771
Steve