Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-21-2015, 10:54 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Help ! Sunseeker 3170 Coach Batteries need jump start,

I need to jump start my batteries for the coach, there are two batteries down under the steps ( i lost my multi meter).

Any info on which ones I plug the jumper cables?

Here is a photo if helps.


P.S. This is a Ford Chasis 2014 (gas).
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 11:13 AM   #2
geezer with gadgets
 
757Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SE Virginia
Posts: 672
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakethib View Post
I need to jump start my batteries for the coach, there are two batteries down under the steps ( i lost my multi meter).

Any info on which ones I plug the jumper cables?

Here is a photo if helps.


P.S. This is a Ford Chasis 2014 (gas).
I have the same MH. 2011 edition. Near the floor of the drivers seat there is an emergency start switch. This will act as built in jumper cables for you to start the coach. Just hold it in the on position will turning the key and it will use the juice from the batteries in the step. Hope this helps.

__________________


Sent from my Atari 2600
2011 Sunseeker 3170ds "Ladybug"
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee TOAD
Days camped 2015: 37; 2016: 66; 2017: 86 2018: 57 2019: 30
757Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 01:08 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Sorry for some reasons my photos are not uploading.
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 01:09 PM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Quote:
Originally Posted by 757Dave View Post
I have the same MH. 2011 edition. Near the floor of the drivers seat there is an emergency start switch. This will act as built in jumper cables for you to start the coach. Just hold it in the on position will turning the key and it will use the juice from the batteries in the step. Hope this helps.

Anyway you can post a photo? I am looking at mine, and cant find it.
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 09:18 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Garrette's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,485
If you need to jump start the engine, it is located on the left side under the hood. You jump start this battery.
As you look at the drivers seat, you will see a black switch down low. Press this switch, reach up and start the engine. If house batteries are strong enough, it will crank and start. Good luck.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums
__________________
2014 Sunseeker 3170 DSF
Dorothy, Garrette and Miss Bella.
Retired and having fun.
Garrette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2015, 09:27 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 958
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakethib View Post
I need to jump start my batteries for the coach, there are two batteries down under the steps ( i lost my multi meter).

Any info on which ones I plug the jumper cables?

Here is a photo if helps.


P.S. This is a Ford Chassis 2014 (gas).
I'm not sure why you would need to "jump start" the coach batteries (you said the ones under the steps) unless it's to start the generator. You could use the emergency switch under the seat but the easiest way is to start the chassis engine which will then automatically connect the the 120 amp engine alternator to the coach batteries and rapidly recharge them. I once ran my coach batteries down so far that I could not start the generator. I started the chassis engine and after about 2 minutes was able to start the generator.
ATVer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 04:48 PM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Quote:
Originally Posted by ATVer View Post
I'm not sure why you would need to "jump start" the coach batteries (you said the ones under the steps) unless it's to start the generator. You could use the emergency switch under the seat but the easiest way is to start the chassis engine which will then automatically connect the the 120 amp engine alternator to the coach batteries and rapidly recharge them. I once ran my coach batteries down so far that I could not start the generator. I started the chassis engine and after about 2 minutes was able to start the generator.
that is what I am trying to do ( start the generator).

I did not have any luck finding this switch folks are talking bout.
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 08:09 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
benagi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakethib View Post
that is what I am trying to do ( start the generator).

I did not have any luck finding this switch folks are talking bout.
Don't know where the switch is on your unit but if you start the engine on your MH and have the coach battery switch on, you should be able to start your generator.
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
benagi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 08:15 PM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Just FYI, here is the pic of my batteries. Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1435022137.168974.jpg
Views:	442
Size:	99.8 KB
ID:	80799
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 08:37 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 958
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakethib View Post
that is what I am trying to do ( start the generator).

I did not have any luck finding this switch folks are talking bout.

As I said the easiest way is to start the chassis engine and it will provide enough power to start the generator.

As for the emergency switch just open the drivers door and look at the seat base near the floor. The switch is a large rocker type on the side of the base. This is true on my 2012. Don't know if they moved it or eliminated the capability on later units.
ATVer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2015, 11:30 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
benagi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakethib View Post
Just FYI, here is the pic of my batteries. Attachment 80799
Can't believe those batteries are only a year old. They look like they have been around the block a few times. Did you ever find the switch by the drivers seat?
__________________
1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
benagi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2015, 04:38 AM   #12
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Quote:
Originally Posted by benagi View Post
Can't believe those batteries are only a year old. They look like they have been around the block a few times. Did you ever find the switch by the drivers seat?

They look worse in the picture then they are, no have not found switch but will look again this weekend as unit is in stirage, still need to figure out if they are 12 volt or 6 volt
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2015, 06:16 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
bubbles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,640
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakethib View Post
They look worse in the picture then they are, no have not found switch but will look again this weekend as unit is in stirage, still need to figure out if they are 12 volt or 6 volt
They're connected in parallel. They are 12 volt batteries.
bubbles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2015, 03:35 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
trdutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lake Wylie
Posts: 502
The engine alternator will charge your house battery's
Make sure the Bat switch is on.
They will charge up enough to start the gen and then it will give them a good charge unless you are driving for a while and the alternator will fully charge them
If your engine isn't charging the house battery's you have other issues
Check your water levels
I had a cell that was almost dry before I got ready for my last trip and the house battery's drained quickly
__________________
I never saw a Hearse towing a Trailer
'71 Dads VW camper pop up Van
'78.....tents
'93 Coleman pop ups (I'm Dad)
'04 Fleetwood Jamboree 26q
'14 Sunseeker 2860DS
trdutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 09:54 AM   #15
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 52
Cleaning those batteries will help too!
__________________
2011 Forester 3171DS Pic
SOLD!
New Rig: 2018 Tiffin 32SA
torino421 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2015, 08:59 PM   #16
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
I found the switch everyone was talking about, if it would have been a snake it would have bit me Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1435370346.060192.jpg
Views:	154
Size:	101.7 KB
ID:	81240
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2015, 09:21 PM   #17
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 52
could you possibly post a picture of the back side of that switch?

both of my wires came off and I don't know which goes where!

I would greatly appreciate it.
__________________
2011 Forester 3171DS Pic
SOLD!
New Rig: 2018 Tiffin 32SA
torino421 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2015, 09:31 PM   #18
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Yep, it's dark out right now but I can post something tommorriw when I can get a hit in the daylight
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2015, 07:54 AM   #19
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 83
Quote:
Originally Posted by torino421 View Post
could you possibly post a picture of the back side of that switch?

both of my wires came off and I don't know which goes where!

I would greatly appreciate it.

Here you go 
Name:   ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1435409625.611353.jpg
Views: 418
Size:  90.2 KB
__________________
2014 SunSeeker 3170DS
Ford F-450
drakethib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2015, 08:16 AM   #20
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by drakethib View Post
Here you go Attachment 81270
Thanks for posting the pic!!!

Too bad my wires are different colors

white/white-purple
__________________
2011 Forester 3171DS Pic
SOLD!
New Rig: 2018 Tiffin 32SA
torino421 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
3170, sunseeker, battery

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:07 AM.