E450 Battery switch on dash question

[Randman]

I have a switch on my dash of my E450 that I'm not sure what it does. The first couple of times when I pushed it in it would make a clicking noise like it was switching a solenoid or something. I was told it switches the batteries from chassis to engine. Now when I push it in it does nothing.

I also discovered that when I try to start the engine, the starter clicks like it is not getting enough voltage. Now to get the engine to start, I have to hold in this battery switch.

Anyone have this issue or can explain exactly what this switch does? My guess the contacts of the switch are stuck on the chassis battery.

Thanks for any input, Rand

[MotocrossCamper]

If for some reason your chassis battery under the hood goes dead you push that button and it completes a circuit to your house batteries so you are able to get the rv started.

My guess is that the contacts have stuck and now 12 volt things in your coach are drawing off it.

Do you have a onboard generator? If you do, start it, wait a few minutes and see if the rv will fire up without holding the button. If it does then something is stuck because running the genny should not charge your chassis battery.

[Randman]

Thanks for the quick reply.

So this is just a momentary switch?

Randman

[MotocrossCamper]

I would not call it a momentary switch. My definition of a momentary switch is one that stays in a position until used again. That is just a push button, once you release it, it should not be making contact any more.

[F and E Damp]

A "momentary" switch is one that stays in the "ON" position only while being held there.

There are two switches on my MH that have an electrical symbol on them. One connects the house batteries to the engine starter, as motocross camper described. The other one, which holds position without keeping your finger on it, switches the in-dash radio/CD between house and chassis batteries.