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Old 08-30-2013, 03:03 PM   #21
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Hooray!!!! Good job .....

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Originally Posted by Pedrodasdas View Post
OK, VOILÀ ! After untwisting all the connections, cutting all the tie-wraps and removing the black tape and foam. I AM GETTING 14 VOLTS ALL THE WAY ! BRAVO TO ME ! But , I don't know what the problem was. Probably some people at FR are playing too rough on those wires.

My step is working as it should, means it close by itself when ignition is put on. My awning can not be opened when engine is running but the slide out does (I think it is normal for a 2011)

I am now discharging my coach batteries to verify if they will get charged by the alternator.
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Old 08-30-2013, 03:19 PM   #22
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Nicely done!

one word of caution - you have to get a can of foam and foam the whole area again. Put something underneath or use your neighbors driveway - whatever drips down you will not get off again, thanks God I did it at my sons rental unit in MO!

I was told to use a 2 component foam because construction foam will not adhere - could not get it and used a 3$ can from homedepot and it works perfect.
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Old 08-30-2013, 06:28 PM   #23
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A Piece of cardboard works wonders, and if all else fails newspaper for the overspray, drippings.
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Old 08-30-2013, 09:00 PM   #24
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Finally put everything back in place.
Just still don't know if coach battery will charge on alternator. I hear the clicking of the relay but the readinds on the voltmeter doesn't change. Will truly see on my next trip to Old Orchard next week.

Loefflerh: I can not use the four lights to verify charging cause it is another problem I have, the four lights are always on even my my battery is completly down to 9 volts ! I'll work on that too soon.

Thanks everyone for your help.
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Old 09-08-2013, 11:45 PM   #25
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same problem

Today i noticed that my house batteries are not charging while underway. I think that is new, as i think i would have noticed it before this.

for the record (2012 solera on 2011 freightliner chassis)

1. steps auto retract when engine starts but redeploy if door is opened.
2. slide functiions with motor running (do this almost always to save on battery drain)
3. awning will not open with engine running.

scanguage usually shows 13.7 volts to the engine battery. haven't checked isolator relay for voltage when running. should i see the 13.7 from the alternator at the relay? Or is it somehow switched off if it is being used to charge the chassis battery as suggested by an earlier post?

Or is it an indication of a broken wire as OP has found?
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Old 09-09-2013, 12:23 AM   #26
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1. that is ok
2.depends - I think somewhere in 2012 FR started to add the safety feature (slide not moving with engine running)
3. that is ok too and indicating to me you have a different problem, obviously you get power from the ignition to the circuit board.

I would measure Voltage at your house battery next. With the engine running and a fairly good engine battery the relay should engage ( you can hear it engaging) within about a minute and voltage at the battery should be around 13.7V.
Should the engine battery be low it will get charged first, and then the house battery...
Hope that helps Hans
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Old 09-09-2013, 07:37 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Loefflerh View Post
1. that is ok
2.depends - I think somewhere in 2012 FR started to add the safety feature (slide not moving with engine running)
3. that is ok too and indicating to me you have a different problem, obviously you get power from the ignition to the circuit board.

I would measure Voltage at your house battery next. With the engine running and a fairly good engine battery the relay should engage ( you can hear it engaging) within about a minute and voltage at the battery should be around 13.7V.
Should the engine battery be low it will get charged first, and then the house battery...
Hope that helps Hans
Agree that your ignition orange wire is fine. If still not charging, I think your problem should be in the battery control center so the BIRD or the relay itself. I'm also stuck with this problem.

I also think that charging does not occcur when engine is running at idle speed. Just made my trip to Old Orchard and coach batteries appears they have been charged whilr driving.
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Old 09-15-2013, 06:31 PM   #28
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I,M back from Maine and, bou-hou, Solera is still not charging on alternator.

I have power o that orange wire and a brand new Converter. Just don't know if it is the BIRD or the isolator and don't know how to check them !
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Old 10-05-2013, 07:41 PM   #29
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Just to close that thread:

The problem was caused by a faulty solenoid.
It probably died because that orange wire going on and off all the time.

Change the Solenoid, everything is back to normal.
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Old 10-05-2013, 09:37 PM   #30
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Good reference. Thank you.
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Old 10-21-2013, 07:31 PM   #31
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thanks to pedrodasdas and others I was able to diagnose and repair a faulty isolator relay problem.

Additional technical info is posted in the thread:

Part number Isalotor Relay
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Old 10-26-2013, 05:13 PM   #32
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Solera not charging on engine

Hi,

In trying to figure out what is wrong I read this thread. Very helpful but I'm still not quite sure what is going on.

Here is where I'm at:

1. Coach batts at B on the picture are at 12.4 V with engine off and with engine on. And coach amps stay at 0.00 with engine running.

2. Chassis battery at Point A on the picture above is 14.2 with or without engine running.

3. Chassis batt is 14.2 under the hood with or without engine running.

4. I hear the click of the relay after about 90 seconds.

5. I have a battery monitor which gives me readings on coach volts, amps and per cent charged.

6. With engine on and off am getting three lights on the panel over the frig which I believe tells me the coach batteries are not being charged.

Do you think that there is something wrong with the chassis charging system? From what I've read in this thread I should get 14.8 V on the chassis side and all I get is 14.2.

Thank you.

Bob
2011 Solera (2010 chassis)
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Old 10-26-2013, 09:30 PM   #33
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I question the accuracy of your instrumentation, 14.2 on an idle chassis battery is quite high unless you have a battery tender connected. Remember its a timed event for the alternator to parallel in coach batteries to charge also. If you hear the solonoid pick up and no voltages change, it could very well be defective. I'd first confirm the voltages though. Whats it do on shore power? 14.8 in most batteries is a touch high.
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Old 10-27-2013, 10:15 AM   #34
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To Robertmayberry,

My isolator was also clicking fine but not working.
Easy to verify.
After the click, you should have the same voltage on either side of the isolator.

Pierre
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Old 10-27-2013, 11:57 AM   #35
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Aha, then that's it. It clicks but the coach side stays at 12.4 even though the engine/chassis side is 14.2.

Vince, the engine side voltage is 14.2, not 14.8. I get these readings with my electrical hand held tester as well as the battery monitor I had installed on the coach.

Thank you.

Thank you.
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Old 10-27-2013, 12:03 PM   #36
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If you really want an original Cole hershey (according to the web review, they are the best), retail price at NAPA Canada was $145. But if your are friend enough with the clerck, you will get it around $65.

NAPA carries cheaper one but remember to take a 200 amp.
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Old 10-28-2013, 11:04 AM   #37
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Available in US on line for 41.96. Google cole hersey 24213.

Mine came thru partdeal.
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Old 11-06-2013, 08:17 PM   #38
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Solera not charging on engine

Here is the rest of my story.

Went to dealer today. He had that relay on the shelf. $32. $100 for an hour labor and was on my way and charging at 14.2 V. I'm a happy camper again.

Point Reyes for Bloody Marys and breakfast tomorrow on the beach. Most gorgeous spot in the world. Well, that's just my opinion.........

Bob
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Old 11-06-2013, 10:28 PM   #39
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I'm glad you solved your problem.

I'm seriously thinking asking your President for the status of economic refugee

Pierre
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