Does the alternator charge the house batteries in a 2016 Coachmen Prism 24G?

[Vegabonds]

How can you test that the alternator charges the house batteries?

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by Vegabonds

How can you test that the alternator charges the house batteries?

Yes, it does. When the engine is turned on, you should here a click of a relay, that enables house batteries to charge. Be sure that the battery control switch is in the on position. Use a volt meter to check the voltage on the batteries - when charging they should read 13.2+ volts. Be sure you are disconnected from shore power when checking.

[Ragtimeplayer]

2016 MBS 2401R. 7k miles into our trip and the house batteries under entry step seemed to not be charging. This morning generator barely started allowing us to retract slide. Chassis battery seems fine with no codes. House battery indicator on panel showing 1 red light (low). Generator won’t start now. Just drove 2.5 hours and thought driving would charge them up. Stopped for fuel and they are still low and generator won’t start. It has not been shore power for 2 weeks and batteries were slowly going down while it sat in driveway, figured this stretch would get it charged up. Is there a fuse or connection that could have rattled loose on some very rough roads? Any thoughts. Will drive another couple hours and check this forum for things to check. Thanks!

[KatanaPilot]

House batteries are charged by the converter when on generator or shore power. They are charged by the MB alternator when voltage drops low enough and the BCC (Battery control center) closes the relay for them to charge. The same BCC will also charge the chassis battery from the converter if the chassis battery voltage drops below the programmed limit.



If the chassis batteries won't charge either with shore power, generator or engine alternator, you might have a wiring issue. I found really poor crimps from the factory at the battery cables - so check there to start. You could also have two fried batteries. I replaced mine with Group 31 AGM batteries several years ago.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by KatanaPilot

House batteries are charged by the converter when on generator or shore power. They are charged by the MB alternator when voltage drops low enough and the BCC (Battery control center) closes the relay for them to charge. The same BCC will also charge the chassis battery from the converter if the chassis battery voltage drops below the programmed limit.

I think the coach batteries have priority when on shore/genny power and chassis battery has priority when alternator is supplying charging. In other words, the chassis battery charging (on shore/genny power) will not take place till the coach batteries are at a preset level. Conversely, coach battery charging (from alternator) will not take place till chassis battery is at a preset level. This is how a battery control center typically operates. The same solenoid (relay) is utilized for both charging scenarios and if installed, the emergency start function as well. JMO.