Main Engine (truck) batteries

[erniet]

I'm sure this has been addressed before but I can not find anything on it. When I have the motorhome plugged into shore power are the main engine batteries being maintained also? From my testing it seems like they are.
Thanks, I'm starting on my 3rd month of Berkshire ownership.

[Welshes]

I don't think so and use a trickle charger to keep them charged. I don't get that warning on the dash about "low battery" anymore.

[dan-nickie]

After the house batteries are charged, then the chassis batteries will charge. When the chassis batteries are charging the aux switch will glow/ flash slowly.

[Welshes]

I haven't found a good answer to my dash warning "low batteries" when I start the engine. Maybe my house batteries never get fully charged and are tired? Thoughts?

[erniet]

Thanks Dan, this really helps. I've seen that switch flash alternately and wondered what was wrong. Now, 'I know the rest of the story'!

[dave-g]

Originally Posted by Welshes

I haven't found a good answer to my dash warning "low batteries" when I start the engine. Maybe my house batteries never get fully charged and are tired? Thoughts?

I believe it to be normal, when you start the motor in cool weather, you put a large discharge on the battery, then the glow plugs cycle and get a low battery alarm-
it should stop in 60-90 seconds.

[Welshes]

Thanks all...

[erniet]

I've noticed the low battery warning coming on also on cold days when the glow plugs had been working. The thing I thought peculiar with this is that when the 'low battery' warning comes on I also see the volt meter drop for a second or two. But to go along with Dave, the warning and the fluctuating voltage reading both quit within a few seconds. Used to be situations like these would have driven me nuts, any more I 'ride with the punches' for a while to see if all settles out.

[Igave]

There are were a number of posts on this in the past. The low battery warning at first is very common as you’ve described. It should only last a few seconds. I checked with freightliner on my coach when I saw it and was told that’s normal for these coaches. Many on here have said the same thing from their experiences and classes.
My light blinks once everything on both sets of batteries are charged as well, and I’ve checked that as well-normal and a good sign on my Berkshire.

[bcullifer]

Originally Posted by Welshes

I haven't found a good answer to my dash warning "low batteries" when I start the engine. Maybe my house batteries never get fully charged and are tired? Thoughts?

I'm having problems like you. Just purchase my 2008 390QS and after I start my MH the dash warning "low Batteries". Would love to know If I need to purchase new one before We tak our first trip next Wednesday.

[zuckerburg]

If the warning is after start up and it goes out in a minute or so you are ok. What you are seeing is a major drain on the batteries due to the Diesel startup. It takes a lot of juice. It should return to normal.

[gordonsick]

There are battery-powered heaters for air and/or fuel that come on before starting. They aren't needed after the engine is warm. They pull a lot of current and are one cause of the low battery warning. In addition, I notice that my the voltage gauge stays low at first and eventually pops up, suggesting that the alternator is slow to kick in.

The low battery warning goes away after the generator kicks in and the engine warms. This is all quite normal.

–Gordon

[dan-nickie]

Originally Posted by bcullifer

I'm having problems like you. Just purchase my 2008 390QS and after I start my MH the dash warning "low Batteries". Would love to know If I need to purchase new one before We tak our first trip next Wednesday.

See posts above yours.