jbobst
Arizona
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My father in law has a 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire. He doesn't drive it very much lately do to illness, so I have been trying to drive it around every month or so. I haven't taken it out for about two months now, and when I went to start it up, the engine batteries were dead. I just put brand new engine batteries in last August (because the old ones were dead too after not driving it for a couple months), and Napa replaced the batteries free of charge. Now it starts up just fine with the new batteries. However, this motorhome is constantly plugged in to 110v power while in storage, and it appears that the engine batteries are not being charged while in storage. On top of that, I would assume there is some sort of drain being placed on these engine batteries while in storage, as two months shouldn't cause the batteries to die, should it? I put a volt meter on the battery wires yesterday when I had the batteries out and I didn't read any power being sent across the wires (and the motorhome was still plugged into the 110v outlet).
Is this motorhome designed to charge the engine batteries while plugged into "shore" power? There is a large power monitor console, and when the motorhome is plugged in to the shore power, I believe it says something like Absortion mode, and it has a high voltage (13-14 volt) reading. I assume it's charging the four 6volt house batteries just fine, as they have power, but I don't know how to see if it's charging the engine batteries.
Also, when I realized the batteries were dead, I tried using the battery boost button and that didn't work. Maybe some fuse is blown on the battery boost and engine battery charger?
Thanks for any advice.
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OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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The same solenoid is used for the battery boost (aux start function) and the charging of the chassis battery when plugged to shore power.
Find the problem with that solenoid and you will fix both problems.
The Mountain Aire should definitely charge all batteries when plugged in.
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rvrepairnut
bc
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Joined: 11/11/2011
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jbobst wrote:My father in law has a 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire. He doesn't drive it very much lately do to illness, so I have been trying to drive it around every month or so. I haven't taken it out for about two months now, and when I went to start it up, the engine batteries were dead. I just put brand new engine batteries in last August (because the old ones were dead too after not driving it for a couple months), and Napa replaced the batteries free of charge. Now it starts up just fine with the new batteries. However, this motorhome is constantly plugged in to 110v power while in storage, and it appears that the engine batteries are not being charged while in storage. On top of that, I would assume there is some sort of drain being placed on these engine batteries while in storage, as two months shouldn't cause the batteries to die, should it? I put a volt meter on the battery wires yesterday when I had the batteries out and I didn't read any power being sent across the wires (and the motorhome was still plugged into the 110v outlet).
Is this motorhome designed to charge the engine batteries while plugged into "shore" power? There is a large power monitor console, and when the motorhome is plugged in to the shore power, I believe it says something like Absortion mode, and it has a high voltage (13-14 volt) reading. I assume it's charging the four 6volt house batteries just fine, as they have power, but I don't know how to see if it's charging the engine batteries.
Also, when I realized the batteries were dead, I tried using the battery boost button and that didn't work. Maybe some fuse is blown on the battery boost and engine battery charger?
Thanks for any advice.
use the chassis disconnect switch as thats what it is for.Your batterys if left properly charged will then be fine.I find it hard to beleive the coach does not have a battery minder though?Thats a mini charger that keeps the chassis batterys charged up while sitting and plugged in.The Battery boost system will not help you if the chassis batterys are stone dead.
There is no need in this world to worry about driving the coach around every month.Every 4-6 months is more than ample
Like I said disconnect the chassis batterys when sitting and all will be well
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jbobst
Arizona
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Thanks OnaQuest. That's good news that both problems are tied to the same thing. I will look up what a solenoid is, but any idea where it might be located?
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rvrepairnut
bc
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OnaQuest wrote:The same solenoid is used for the battery boost (aux start function) and the charging of the chassis battery when plugged to shore power.
Find the problem with that solenoid and you will fix both problems.
The Mountain Aire should definitely charge all batteries when plugged in.
thats simply not true.Some coaches do and some dont.
Like I said the battery boost system will not start a diesel engine if both chassis batterys are stone dead as the Op posted
For example I have a 2008 Allegro Bus 425HP cummins and the chassis batterys only charge via small Mini charger called a Battery minder
I shut off my chassis batterys when sitting idle for over a week or 2
* This post was
edited 02/09/12 12:35pm by rvrepairnut *
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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rvrepairnut wrote:OnaQuest wrote:The same solenoid is used for the battery boost (aux start function) and the charging of the chassis battery when plugged to shore power.
Find the problem with that solenoid and you will fix both problems.
The Mountain Aire should definitely charge all batteries when plugged in.
thats simply not true.Some coaches do and some dont.
Like I said the battery boost system will not start a diesel engine if both chassis batterys are stone dead as the Op posted
For example I have a 2008 Allegro Bus 425HP cummins and the chassis batterys only charge via small Mini charger called a Battery minder
I shut off my chassis batterys when sitting idle for over a week or 2
It IS true. Newmar uses the Intellitec charge relay system and utilizes the SAME soenoid to Boost AND charge when plugged in. You ARE right when you state IF the chassis are totally dead, boosting on a Diesel rarely works as the dead batteries draw the current when boosting
To the OP
1. Newmars have a 12 volt solar trickle charger for the chassis batteries to keep charged, BUT, if you have covered storage then the solar is INOP. If no covered storage the solar red LED in the dash should be on. If not, then find and fix the solar charger system problem That solar charger is designed to keep the chassis batteries full up and overcome in milliamp draws from the Chassis system computer modules.
2. ALL Newmar motorhomes have the Intellitec charge system relay that WHEN the coach voltage is OVER 13.1 volts, then the Intellitec charge relay "sees" that 13.2 or higher and then closes the boost solenoid and BOTH battery banks are charged from your Inverter/Charger. But, the drawback to this system is---after a day or so the FLOAT charge drops to below that 13.2 volts and the charge relay kicks out the solenoid and both battery banks are seperate. If storing for more than 2 weeks, either install a Battery minder or jump the charge solenoid by locking down the battery boost switch at the dash with a toothpick. It is BETTER to install a battery minder and you can install this in the shore cord compartment where you will have a 120 plug available and the chassis battery cable positive there. Doug
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OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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jbobst wrote:Thanks OnaQuest. That's good news that both problems are tied to the same thing. I will look up what a solenoid is, but any idea where it might be located?
A solenoid is a large relay that will be located somewhere near the batteries. It will have one large battery cable from each battery bank (engine/chassis battery bank and also one from the house batteries) attached to the larger terminal posts on either side of the solenoid.
It should not be difficult to locate by tracing the large battery cables.
When you locate the solenoid, post here again and someone (or I) can give you a check procedure to verify correct operation. Good luck
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jbobst
Arizona
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rvrepairnut, Regarding the battery boost, isn't the point of the battery boost to use the house batteries if the chassis batteries are dead? I remember on my last Class C motorhome, I installed a battery minder. It was a very low end Class C that didn't even have a 3 stage converter (which I also upgraded). My father in laws Newmar is really a top of the line motorhome, and I am sure the power panel and power/charging systems are far, far better than the battery minder unit. I just don't know how to use the power control panel very well.
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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OnaQuest wrote:jbobst wrote:Thanks OnaQuest. That's good news that both problems are tied to the same thing. I will look up what a solenoid is, but any idea where it might be located?
A solenoid is a large relay that will be located somewhere near the batteries. It will have one large battery cable from each battery bank (engine/chassis battery bank and also one from the house batteries) attached to the larger terminal posts on either side of the solenoid.
It should not be difficult to locate by tracing the large battery cables.
When you locate the solenoid, post here again and someone (or I) can give you a check procedure to verify correct operation. Good luck
On Newmars, the charge and boost solenoid and relay and coach disconnect are located in the shore cord compartment. Doug
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MountainAir05
New Mexico
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Joined: 01/27/2007
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Is this a gas or diesel and Ford or Workhorse. I have a Mountainaire Gas Ford and have the manual, Yes your charger should charge the batteries but you need to check a circuit breaker and see if the charge has trip it. Also as stated , Shut off the battery disconnet swithch after they are charge, and remove the neg battery cable on the house bank, The smoke and gas dectectors will pull them down in two weeks if not disconnected. Also the battery boost only connected the house battery to the engine battery for start assist. PM me if you need a manual.
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