Author Topic: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting  (Read 304 times)

Bill Heffernan

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 67
  • Thanked: 2 times
2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« on: March 10, 2026, 10:37:03 PM »
I went down to our coach to start it today after it had been in storage for the last 4-5 months and could not get it to start. Neither the engine nor the generator would start. Both acted as if the batteries were very low, but my meter showed that the batteries were fully charged. The dash had a low battery warning. Using the battery boost did not seem to make a difference. All the connections seemed good. We'll occasionally get low battery warnings, but it has always started, sometimes using the battery boost. I'm scratching my head on this one. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks! 
2007 Beaver Patriot Thunder
45'
C-13

Frank Bergamo

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 326
  • Thanked: 94 times
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2026, 12:35:34 AM »
Are you plugged in with inverter charger on? The only way to really test batteries is with a load tester. Just checking voltage will not give you a true condition of batteries. Need to know what is really going on before making a decision on what to do next!
Frank & Paulette Bergamo
2018-       : 2007 Marquis Topaz IV  C-15 600 HP Allison 4000
2014-2018: 2002 Marquis Emerald C-12 505 HP Allison 4000
2004-2014: 1986 Executive Diplomat 3208 250 HP Allison MT-643
Grand Junction, CO.

David T. Richelderfer

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1769
  • Thanked: 490 times
  • OSU, Class of 1971, OR native, RVing over 50 years
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2026, 12:52:54 AM »
How old are the batteries?  What was the voltage reported by your meter?  A fully charged 12v battery should show 12.6v to 12.7v.  A half-discharged 12v battery will show about 12.2v.  If your coach is plugged into 120v shore power, then the inverter should be delivering 13.3v+ to both the house and coach batteries.
2004 Beaver Marquis Sapphire
Cat C-12, 505 hp
I had a dream... then I lived it!

Eric Maclean Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 1440
  • Thanked: 536 times
  • Karen and I would like to wish you all happy trail
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2026, 01:49:25 PM »
Bill
With your coach plugged in and the inverter/charger unit charging with a voltage above 13.2 Volts the B.I.R.D ( bi directional relay delay) should activate the Big Boy solenoid to connect the chassis battery bank to the house battery bank allowing the inverter / charger to charge both battery banks together.
When you push the battery boost switch it also activates the Big Boy solenoid to connect the house battery to the chassis battery allowing you the boost the chassis bank to get a dead chassis battery started.
A common problem with the system is that the contacts inside the Big Boy solenoid get dirty over time and use, to the point there is no connection made
This and the fact the engine ECM has a small parasitic draw all the time leads to a dead chassis battery bank over a period of time ( 3 or 5 weeks time )

The good news is the Big Boy can be taken apart and the contacts cleaned up to return it to operation.
There is a full description of the B.I.R.D. operation and troubleshooting as well as an article on how to dismantle the Big Boy and clean it in the COACH ASSIST library under COMMON PROBLEMS.

Start by making sure your inverter/charger is charging properly and go from there.

Hope this helps
Eric
« Last Edit: March 11, 2026, 04:14:26 PM by Eric Maclean Co-Admin »
1997 Patriot Yorktown
3126-B
2009 Chevy HHR
Roadmaster falcon tow bar
Demco Air Force one tow brake.
The following users thanked this post: Fred Brooks

David Ciotti

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 63
  • Thanked: 15 times
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2026, 02:42:20 PM »
I really hate to post this but the terminology used here is important for troubleshooting purposes.  A standard battery charger converts 115 volts AC into approximately 12 volts DC to charge a battery.  An inverter converts 12 volts DC into approximately 115 volts AC to run standard household appliances.
2002 Marquis Jasper. 40'. Cat C12

Eric Maclean Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 1440
  • Thanked: 536 times
  • Karen and I would like to wish you all happy trail
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2026, 04:07:33 PM »
David
Point well taken but in our coaches the inverter function  and battery charger are both house in the same unit generically referred to as the inverter even though the unit serves three different functions 1) Multi stage battery charger 2) pass through relay 3) inverter function.

Eric
1997 Patriot Yorktown
3126-B
2009 Chevy HHR
Roadmaster falcon tow bar
Demco Air Force one tow brake.
The following users thanked this post: Fred Brooks

Bill Heffernan

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 67
  • Thanked: 2 times
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2026, 08:51:44 PM »
Gremlins. I went back to the coach this morning. I brought a different meter, but again confirmed that the batteries were fully charged. Same result. Took apart, cleaned and reassembled all of the connections. Same result. Turned it over one last time and it fired right up. I've turned it off and on a couple of times after letting it warm up and it fires right up. Could that be the Big Boy? Thanks
2007 Beaver Patriot Thunder
45'
C-13

Frank Bergamo

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 326
  • Thanked: 94 times
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2026, 10:45:53 PM »
The Big Boy charges both battery banks with the generator, plugged in, or driving down the road with the alternator when operating properly. It also combines both banks for starting purposes when using the boost mode. If the contacts inside have never been cleaned, or the whole unit has never been replaced, it is probably due. I clean mine about every two years. You can check proper function by measuring voltage on the two big lugs on the Big Boy. The reading should be within one tenth of a volt from one big lug to the other big lug. This will keep the batteries charged if operating properly, but it does not address your no start problem. The ignition switch might be failing is one possibility, there is also a relay on the starting Circuit Board in the rear run bay, next to the rear remote start switch. I believe that relay is soldered to the Circuit Board, so might need a competent person to repair that. If all the above check out, that relay is probably your problem. Also, as Eric stated above, in Coach Assist you will find how to service the Big Boy. I have two, when I remove one that needs cleaning, I rotate the second one in, and clean the other one so it is always ready to go when needed. Hope this helps, good luck!
Frank & Paulette Bergamo
2018-       : 2007 Marquis Topaz IV  C-15 600 HP Allison 4000
2014-2018: 2002 Marquis Emerald C-12 505 HP Allison 4000
2004-2014: 1986 Executive Diplomat 3208 250 HP Allison MT-643
Grand Junction, CO.

Bill Heffernan

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 67
  • Thanked: 2 times
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #8 on: Today at 12:50:43 AM »
Thanks everyone. It sounds like the starting place is the Big Boy. When it was not starting, the battery boost had no effect, even though the house batteries were also fully charged. If the battery boost is engaged through the Big Boy, that seems to me to be a clue. Thanks again.   
2007 Beaver Patriot Thunder
45'
C-13

Frank Bergamo

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 326
  • Thanked: 94 times
Re: 2007 Patriot Thunder Starting
« Reply #9 on: Today at 03:03:41 AM »
Servicing the Big Boy is probably needed, but checking the voltage on each side of the Big Boy will tell you if the contacts inside need cleaning. As stated above, if it is the same on each side, or very close, then the Big Boy is operating correctly. Need to check that first, then you can proceed after you determine what it is doing. If operating correctly, then ignition switch would be next, followed by the relay on the starter Circuit Board in the rear run bay. Another thought, do you normally use the boost mode when starting the coach? Can you here the Big Boy engage when you hold the boost button?
Frank & Paulette Bergamo
2018-       : 2007 Marquis Topaz IV  C-15 600 HP Allison 4000
2014-2018: 2002 Marquis Emerald C-12 505 HP Allison 4000
2004-2014: 1986 Executive Diplomat 3208 250 HP Allison MT-643
Grand Junction, CO.