All,
I'll let everyone know on 9th of June, if my "dead chassis batteries" start my coach. If they do, then I'll have to believe in miracles. And, as Forest Gump was fond of saying, "and that's all I have to say about that".
Mike
All,
As promised, an update on my coach's condition POST STORAGE over the last 10 days.
I store the coach under cover, and simply use the rotary switches in the battery compartment to shut off both batteries. Since I am under cover, I get only reflective sunlight I guess on the 2 rooftop 75W solar panels.
Prior to this return, on June 9th, my last visit was May 30th. I checked fluids, then turned on both battery banks via the rotary switches, and on the Silverleaf noted that chassis voltage as 11.9V. As I usually do, I turn the key on, watch the Silverleaf come on, there is some sort of system noise (chunk chunk...chunk chunk - I think its the air valves perhaps), then I turn the key off, then on again. This all according to my owner's manual.
After this I started the coach. At 11.9V, there was no hesitation, see Adam's Thread on Starter Hesitation. There may have been an initial slower starter revolution, for just a split second, but it sounded pretty normal to me. The engine started right up.
Now, as previously stated, over that 6 week period prior to May 30th, I'd left the coach stored under the same conditions an upon my return, noted the chassis voltage of 11.7V.
My conclusion, as offered previously, is that my coach, and perhaps other pre-2000 coaches DO NOT suffer from a separate circuit to the engine computer which draws a 2 amp (or even a 1 amp or even a .3amp) current in order to run this ECM computer. If it did, my batteries would have drained over this constant draw for 10 days. And I'll repeat that when the chassis batteries ARE connected, there is a huge draw, which I assume is the ECM, that will kill the batteries within a couple days if they are not supplemented - at least that's happened to myself and others.
So, while I can not "bust the myth" on 2000-2001 SMC Era coaches, I can certainly tell owners of 1999 Beaver Marquis that they can leave them stored for long periods (up to at least 6 weeks) in a "dry condition", ie not hooked to electric. Since having the electric at my storage lot is an additional $20/month I believe (the covered is $171.00 without electrical hookup) you can certainly save money.
I haven't had the opportunity to start the coach using the 11.7V which Ed and Gerald both describe as a "dead battery", however, that voltage easily starts the generator, and by running the generator (which is a good idea anyway after 6 weeks) you can charge up the battery to 11.9V and then start the engine. I am pretty sure mine would start at 11.7V as I just don't see a huge difference in 11.9V not being dead (which obviously it isn't since it started the coach) and 11.7V.
Enjoying Pacific Shores at the moment - Lot 53. Any other BAC members here? This is our first visit, so we'll be out and about. This is by far the most maintained "RV Park" I've ever visited, but as I told Margaret, it is obviously the most expensive we've visited as well, having purchased our lot and with the HOA dues.
Thanks,
Mike