Are chassis and coach batteries independent?

[JrodMT]

Another newbie question for y’all if I may. I went to start our new Isata 5 w/the Cummins this morning and it wouldn’t turn over. Just a click. Waited a couple of minutes and tried again. Same result. After 15 minutes, tried again and the diesel fired. The only other info I can give us the “service 4wd light came on” when trying to start.
My questions are this.
Is it possible to drain the chassis battery with the coach?
Can I start the diesel periodically with the coach plugged into 50amp to ease my paranoia that it’s not going to start?
If the diesel battery does die, can I start the truck with the coach batteries?

[houstonstroker]

Originally Posted by JrodMT

Another newbie question for y’all if I may. I went to start our new Isata 5 w/the Cummins this morning and it wouldn’t turn over. Just a click. Waited a couple of minutes and tried again. Same result. After 15 minutes, tried again and the diesel fired. The only other info I can give us the “service 4wd light came on” when trying to start.
My questions are this.
Is it possible to drain the chassis battery with the coach?
Can I start the diesel periodically with the coach plugged into 50amp to ease my paranoia that it’s not going to start?
If the diesel battery does die, can I start the truck with the coach batteries?

I would think if you were plugged in that both sets of batteries would be charged. At least on my rig this is what happens.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by JrodMT

My questions are this.
Is it possible to drain the chassis battery with the coach?
Can I start the diesel periodically with the coach plugged into 50amp to ease my paranoia that it’s not going to start?
If the diesel battery does die, can I start the truck with th e coach batteries?

Probably not. In normal situations, the batteries are not connected unless you use the coach battery for a battery boost.
If it were me, I'd shut off the 50 amp at the post first, but that's just my paranoia. It shouldn't make a difference.
I don't know about your specific rig, but there is usually a battery boost switch somewhere on the dash that you hold down to use the coach battery. That doesn't sound like your problem though.

[jvalich]

House and Chassis batteries are separate. Most coaches have a emergency switch that will temporarily combine both sets of batteries so you can get started. You can start the coach plugged into 50 A service without issue. As to both sets of batteries charging from the inverter, not sure on that one, depends upon how things are setup.

[steverkemp]

Is it possible to drain the chassis battery with the coach? Potentially, one possible scenario is your battery booster switch (aux 2) is set up as a latch switch and was left on.
Can I start the diesel periodically with the coach plugged into 50amp to ease my paranoia that it’s not going to start? Sure
If the diesel battery does die, can I start the truck with the coach batteries? If you Aux 2 is operable and configured as a momentary switch (setup in vehicle settings on dash display) then hold Aux 2 and start the engine.

[bclemens]

The answer is Yesno.

They are separate but connected. They are separate, unless you push the aux switch which will pair them.

They are also separate, but connected when charging is called for, either from the chassis alternator, or inverter/charger. I have posted this before, but will post here again for ease that describes the BIRD.

[JrodMT]

Originally Posted by bclemens

The answer is Yesno.

They are separate but connected. They are separate, unless you push the aux switch which will pair them.

They are also separate, but connected when charging is called for, either from the chassis alternator, or inverter/charger. I have posted this before, but will post here again for ease that describes the BIRD.

Will you tell me where the bird is located on the Isata 5? Checked the inverter compartment and battery compartment and didn’t see it. I would like to check it’s operation status.

[bclemens]

Its in the inverter compartment on the back wall as I recall. On newer models of the Isata 3, I think we have started to transition to a BIM (Battery Isolation Manager...every trying to find cool acronyms), but I don't think we have done that on the 5 yet.

[JrodMT]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Its in the inverter compartment on the back wall as I recall. On newer models of the Isata 3, I think we have started to transition to a BIM (Battery Isolation Manager...every trying to find cool acronyms), but I don't think we have done that on the 5 yet.

I’ve walked back out and checked three times to make sure that I am not crazy. The BIRD is not in the inverter compartment on this particular 5. Maybe I am SOL .

[bclemens]

Could be on the battery wall which is the next compartment over. Take a picture of both, we'll take a look.

[JrodMT]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Could be on the battery wall which is the next compartment over. Take a picture of both, we'll take a look.

I didn’t see it In the battery compartment either. I took pictures of both. I don’t have the option to send them in the forum. Maybe because I haven’t been very active in the forum? (Until 3 days ago)

[JrodMT]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Could be on the battery wall which is the next compartment over. Take a picture of both, we'll take a look.

Trying to get pictures sent over. WiFi where we are at is sketchy at best. No data service. I’ll send over when I can.

[bclemens]

When you post a reply, just click the button that says "Go Advanced"

Then if you look down below the text box under "additional options" there is a "Manage Attachements" button. You can upload pictures right there.

Choose a file, then hit upload.

[JrodMT]

Hopefully. These are the pictures. I didn’t see anything resembling the BIRD in the battery compartment either

[bclemens]

Do you have a 30FW???? I was thinking 36DS...I'll have to go look at one and see where it is.

[JrodMT]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Do you have a 30FW???? I was thinking 36DS...I'll have to go look at one and see where it is.

36DS

[caseymyers]

Originally Posted by bclemens

Do you have a 30FW???? I was thinking 36DS...I'll have to go look at one and see where it is.

BC, if like mine, the BIRD should be on the rear wall to the left in the photo of the Magnum.

[bclemens]

Well, I was thinking the same thing, but we moved all the electrical to the back end. The originals were in the front compartment and the BIRD was on the back wall. We used an extension harness to put more weight on the rear axle, but I don't know where the BIRD moved to. I'll have to go look.

[caseymyers]

Second photo down? BIRD?

[bclemens]

that's the magnum control.