OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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dougrainer wrote: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
The float voltage would never drop below 13.2 volts with a properly running charger or converter, but it only has to maintain 12.6V (see below).
It does, in fact take a minimum of 13.2 volts to activate the solenoid, but it will not drop out unless/until the sensed voltage drops below 12.6 volts for a period of two minutes. That is a design criteria of the BIRD. If yours works otherwise, you have a malfunction.
I would rather fix it correctly rather than patch it. JMHO
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OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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MountainAir05 wrote: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.
The OP stated that the coach is always plugged in when stored. Why would you suggest turning the disconnects off and removing cables?
You should use your procedure when stored without shore power.
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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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OnaQuest wrote:dougrainer wrote: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
The float voltage would never drop below 13.2 volts with a properly running charger or converter, but it only has to maintain 12.6V (see below).
It does, in fact take a minimum of 13.2 volts to activate the solenoid, but it will not drop out unless/until the sensed voltage drops below 12.6 volts for a period of two minutes. That is a design criteria of the BIRD. If yours works otherwise, you have a malfunction.
I would rather fix it correctly rather than patch it. JMHO
It has been MY experiance over the years, that the float will fluctuate below 13.1 at most times. It all depends on the load on the coach system AND the type coach charging system you have. That is NOIT a defect in the BIRD system. Doug
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rvrepairnut
bc
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Joined: 11/11/2011
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Jbobst just sdo what doug has suggested if storing for over 2 week plus period
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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dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
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"When the coach is plugged into shore power and the ignition is off, the unit senses the voltage on the coach
batteries. When this voltage goes 13.3 volts for approximately 2 ½ minutes, as happens when the
converter isn't heavily loaded, it will close the isolator relay providing charging current to the battery.
If the voltage should fall 12.8 volts for more than about one minute, the relay will drop out to prevent the
coach loads from discharging the chassis battery. This might happen when the converter is heavily loaded by
coach loads. When the coach battery voltage goes 13.3 volts again, the relay will again close in about
one minute to retry to charge the battery".
NOT 12.6 BUT 12.8. Above is direct from the Intellitec BIRD operating instructions. I have a $200 Fluke meter and I WORK on RV's in the real world and have been a Newmar dealer Tech for 18 years. MY comments were REAL world experiance, not technical that is on paper. Ideally, the BIRD would stay engaged when connected to Shore in both storage and when camping. Doug
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jbobst
Arizona
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Joined: 03/09/2007
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Thanks for the information everyone. This is a 2006 Diesel motorhome. Don't remember the chassis and engine make, but it's a 43 foot Mountain Aire.
Thanks!
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rvrepairnut
bc
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jbobst wrote:Thanks for the information everyone. This is a 2006 Diesel motorhome. Don't remember the chassis and engine make, but it's a 43 foot Mountain Aire.
Thanks!
no matter what motor although its either a cummins or a Cat
Just charge the batterys up to full capacity and turn the disconnect switch to off and dont worry about it
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OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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Obviously the moderators on this forum prefer erroneous information to facts. Spread all the false info you want, but do it with a smile... What a concept.
All my attempts to correct bad info here has just resulted in deleted posts. Time to kiss and make up?
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