Chassis battery charging

[George Morlan]

I find that when the coach sits at a park for several days, I have to use the battery boost to start.  There are other indications of a gradual loss of voltage in the chassis batteries.  For example, my power shades in the front window lose their limits, something MCD says occurs when there is a gradual loss of voltage.  Any thoughts on what an electrically challenged guy can do?

[Dick Simonis]

George, didn't see what year/model you have but when mine did the same thng I found the echo charger was bad.  New one from Magnum was supplied by BCS and all is now well.  10 minute job to replace.

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Some of the Beavers like ours without a way to recharge the chassis batteries. We found out on our 1997 Patriot the hard way after 11 days running the generator after hurricane Charlie. We installed an Echo Charger
 http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/power-accessories/auxiliary-battery-charger.aspx
Install was very simple.

[George H. Wall]

Sounds like your Xantrex charged for your chassis batteries is not working. Should see a little green light on ceiling over batts. if it is.   Henry

[Edward Buker]

George,

It wasn't clear if you are plugged in or if this is something new and different from previous coach performance while parked. The answer changes based on if you have an echo charger or a similar system and whether or not your coach is plugged into an electrical service.

Later Ed

[Bill Sprague]

.... Any thoughts on what an electrically challenged guy can do?

I think you are suggesting you would prefer an electrician to do the work.  Short term, consider going to any auto parts store, even Wal-Mart, and buying a basic battery charger and long enough cord to reach the power pole.  

The other posts have been correct in that something should be charging all your batteries.  Many use a combination of relays call the "BIRD" and "Big Boy".  (I'm really not joking!)  Others have the 'Echo Chargers'.   Either way,  I have not run into  a Beaver that didn't charge all the batteries.  

Bill

[Gerald Farris]

George,
 I am assuming that the coach has been plugged in and charging the house batteries when this happens, and if so, it sounds like there is a malfunction in the "Bird System" or bad chassis batteries on your Contessa. Since I do not think that you carry any test equipment with you, it will probably be best to wait until the Bean Blossom rally and get Roy to repair it there or I will fix it in New York.

Gerald

[George Morlan]

Thanks for the replies.  I was remiss in not specifying that my coach is a 2007 Contessa which relies on the BIRD to keep both sets of batteries charged.  I've come to the conclusion that the BIRD is malfunctioning, and hope that there is someone at Bean Blossom who knows more than I do about how to confirm this.

[Keith Oliver]

Geprge:
I had a similar problem.  Turned out my echo charger was past its best before date. I solved it by buying a small "smart" charger, ($50) and plugging it in beside the bed, running the cord down to the batteries and attaching it directly to the chassis batteries.  Now when I open the battery bay I see the red light on if it is charging and the green if fully charged.  A couple of zap straps keep it attached to some of the wiring, so out of the way and out of trouble.

[LEAH DRAPER]

Well that previous post got away before I even got started.  My big boy/BIRD does NOT charge my chassis batteries either.  Either it is defective or needs tweaking.  One question however I have is that I seldom have the inverter ON.  
Does the inverter have to be on for the BIRD to work??

[Keith Oliver]

The Inverter is only required to be set to "on" when you need AC but are not plugged in to shore power.  Otherwise the unit is just a charger and the "on" position doesn't affect it.

[Gerald Farris]

Leah,
If you are plugged into shore power, the inverter has to be charging the house batteries before the "Bird System" can charge the chassis batteries. If you turn the battery charging function of the inverter off, the "Bird System" can not charge the chassis batteries.

Gerald  

[Robert Mathis]

I have had two occasions where the chassis batteries didn't charge when plugged into shore power. On the first instance, the gnound wire to the BIRD had come adrift and it was not working. On the second, a mouse had chewed thru the control wire from the information center to the inverter/charger and disabled it. I also have a 2007 Contessa and it should keep all of your batteries hot.

[Bill Sprague]

.......  One question however I have is that I seldom have the inverter ON.....

Leah,

Why would you leave it off? One of the wondrous features of a Beaver is that so many things work well even when you are not plugged in.   Mine is always on.

Bill

[LEAH DRAPER]

Well Bill
If I am plugged into shore power, I don't need it and if the generator is running, I don't need it.  
Therefore, most of the time it is off.  Don't see any need to have it on so just haven't.  When I need it I do turn it on.  Hope that answers your  question.
Leah