Chassis battery question

[chesterhull]

2008 Berkshire.

I've noticed that my chassis batteries are running down when parked, even when I'm plugged into shore power.

I've also noticed that my Aux Start button is lit very dimly...and flashes every so often. (This is when parked, engine off, and plugged in or not)

This last time I parked, I turned the battery disconnect at the chassis batteries to off.

Last night I noticed something strange: The Aux Light button was completely off (no dim light and no flashing) and the 12v power socket next to the leveling control panel was off.
This morning, those are both back on...and nothing changed overnight!

Do I have a draw somewhere on the chassis batteries?
What is making that aux button light up dimly? And blink?

I've inspected my batteries and they look ok...a tiny bit of corrosion on one of the negative terminals, but not very much at all.

When I start up the engine, I usually get a "Low voltage" indicator until it runs for a few minutes. Sometimes that's as low as 11.2v and sometimes is 12v or so.

I have a store-bought trickle charger installed and it had been connected to the chassis batteries and plugged into the block heater outlet so that it would charge when connected to shore power, but I can't measure any voltage across the two leads on that when its on, so I don't even know if it's working. I left the leads disconnected after testing them.

Any ideas on the Aux Start light or where I might be getting a drain?


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[jdhreiss]

The battery disconnect switch will not turn off the propane, carbon monoxide, or smoke sensors and they will continue to draw power, although minimal, from the battery.

Joe R.
SW WA

[chesterhull]

Ok, good point.
But shouldn't the chassis batteries charge after the house batteries are full, when connected to shore power?

Any ideas on the dim/blinking aux start light?


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[accumack]

You should measure the voltage of each battery. You may have a bad cell in one. How old are your batteries?

[NO3putt]

There was a thread some time ago on the blinking aux light blinking. Many of us have this happen. My understanding is when the house batteries are fully charged then the light will light and the chassis battery is getting charged. Why are you turning off your chassis batteries anyway? We leave ours on all the time. We also get at times the low voltage when starting the engine but goes away shortly after engines runs. Also the steps and some other things run off your chassis batteries, found this out when the house batteries when changing out those batteries.

[chesterhull]

@accumack
I'm checking on the age now. I believe they have been replaced once. When I measured voltage (while connected) I was showing around 13.2...so that sounds good.

@no3putt
Hmm, I'll try to find that thread on aux start. I noticed that and thought it might be related to battery drain, but maybe not.
I usually leave my chassis batteries "on" as well...I only turned the disconnect this last time I parked to see if that made a difference on the battery drain. We'll see tomorrow when I start up! :-)


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[tmmar]

You will get the low voltage message when you start the engine and the weather is cold. It is caused by the engine heaters drawing from the batteries to heat the incoming air. We all get that message and you should also see needle on the amp gauge on the dash go up and down for a while after you first start the engine.

[Kenny kustom]

Most diesel alternators don't charge right after starting.
Grid heaters and glow plugs take a lot out of the batteries.

Low charge light is normal right after startup.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I am nice!

[chesterhull]

Ok, thanks everyone for the replies! Sounds like it's functioning as it should be!


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[NV245]

You may want to note that when starting the Diesel generator when cold out holding the inside generator switch in the shut off position activates the glow plugs (like the preheat switch on the generator) for easier starting.


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[JTN8]

Originally Posted by NV245

You may want to note that when starting the Diesel generator when cold out holding the inside generator switch in the shut off position activates the glow plugs (like the preheat switch on the generator) for easier starting.


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I'm not sure if this is true on my 2014 Berk. When I hold the off button for the generator, it primes it with fuel. When I hit the on button, it turns the glow plugs on. If it's cold out, even with my finger holding the switch to on, my generator won't turn over for about 5 to 10 seconds because it's waiting for the glow plugs. When it's warm, as soon as I turn the switch to on, it turns right over.

Also, it wouldn't make sense to have the glow plugs come on when you hold the switch to off because when you change your fuel filter, you have to prime the generator for at least 1 minute. This would mean that your plugs would also be on for that entire time.

That is just how mine works. Maybe they have changed in the recent years.

Jason

[NO3putt]

Chesterhull, don't know where you are, if it't really cold and your plugged in make sure you have the engine block heater plugged in several hours before starting the engine, helps with starting with warm fluids.

[NV245]

2008 starter engages immediately when start is pressed. The delay in 2014 was probably added because finding how to actuate the glow plugs from the remote start switch is difficult to find. Automatic generator start in 2008 was also an add on option and may include auto glow plug engagement.


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[mikeborny]

Originally Posted by NO3putt

Chesterhull, don't know where you are, if it't really cold and your plugged in make sure you have the engine block heater plugged in several hours before starting the engine, helps with starting with warm fluids.

Where is the engine block heater on a 2014 berkshire. Going to be below freezing when I go to leave tomorrow!
Mike


Mike & Amy + 3 and the dogs!
2014 berkshire 390bh-40

[NO3putt]

On ours any way, it is where the electrical cord is at, you will see an outlet in the bay, and close by a black plug to plug into the outlet. There is also a breaker in the breaker box just for the heater block. Pretty sure yours the has the same set up, just maybe in a different bay. We usually plug it in the evening before we leave when cold and it's a 120 volt outlet so you need to be on shore power or generator.

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by NO3putt

On ours any way, it is where the electrical cord is at, you will see an outlet in the bay, and close by a black plug to plug into the outlet. There is also a breaker in the breaker box just for the heater block. Pretty sure yours the has the same set up, just maybe in a different bay. We usually plug it in the evening before we leave when cold and it's a 120 volt outlet so you need to be on shore power or generator.

This is true for the 14's. Mine hanging right next to the 120 outlet in the power cord bay.

Jason

[jegstrup]

On my 12, there's not a plug for the block heater in the compartment where the power cord and inverter is. Any ideas?


2012 Forest River Berkshire 390FL
2013 Hyundai Veloster

[accumack]

On my 2011 it is in the rear most compartment on the drivers side.

[jegstrup]

The electrical outlet in the pic, and the auto transfer relay switch is all I have in that last compartment.


2012 Forest River Berkshire 390FL
2013 Hyundai Veloster

[JTN8]

Originally Posted by jegstrup

The electrical outlet in the pic, and the auto transfer relay switch is all I have in that last compartment.Attachment 96572


2012 Forest River Berkshire 390FL
2013 Hyundai Veloster

Somewhere near that outlet should be a male end of a cord that you would plug into that outlet. It's usually hanging right near it.

Jason