Need some schooling… stranded on side of road

Orangecrush · 10-22-2021, 07:43 AM

I’m sitting here in a rest area in VA because my batteries are dead. I need some tech stuff explained to me.

I was having problems with the AGS coming on sporadically. It was suggested to swap out the module (which I did) and it’s been working.

Last night I pulled over and twice during the night the generator kicked on. I had my orange LED lights left on (which apparently drained the chassis batteries) which I am assuming that is why the coach wouldn’t start this morning. Am I correct in my thinking?

I tried to start the generator but it was dead and even though the coach batteries were down to 10.x, I used the battery boost button to get the generator started. I don’t know how it did but it B A R E L Y started.

I’ve been sitting here for about 40 minutes with the generator running and it’s still only at 10.7 volts. The chassis batteries are at 9.5 ( they were at 9.3)

I’m a little concerned, I swear when my coach batteries got low before, the generator would bring them up to the 13 volt range in minutes. I’ve been here for 40 minutes and the coach batteries are only at 10.6 now.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Mark

Orangecrush · 10-22-2021, 07:51 AM

Just to be sure , I’ve got …

Inverter enabled
Search mode enabled
Charger enabled
Desired mode operating

Is there anything wrong with these settings? I’m not sure why after 50 minutes the coach batteries are only at 10.6?? Is it because the generator is charging the chassis batteries also?

I’ll keep you updated

**bclemens** · 10-22-2021, 07:53 AM

Could be that the charging solenoid is bad. There are several threads on that...searching either BIRD or "Trombetta Solenoid"

**Flybob** · 10-22-2021, 07:55 AM

9.5V is very low and it will take some time to get them back up.

Orangecrush · 10-22-2021, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclemens

Could be that the charging solenoid is bad. There are several threads on that...searching either BIRD or "Trombetta Solenoid"

Brian,

Where is the charging solenoid? Is it something I could perhaps tap and jar something like a starter solenoid on a car?

I’ve been sitting in this rest area for over two hours and still waiting to get confirmation from Goodsam’s “roadside” assistance.

Thanks,

Mark

**bclemens** · 10-22-2021, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangecrush

Brian,

Where is the charging solenoid? Is it something I could perhaps tap and jar something like a starter solenoid on a car?

I’ve been sitting in this rest area for over two hours and still waiting to get confirmation from Goodsam’s “roadside” assistance.

Thanks,

Mark

In the electrical bay.

Orangecrush · 10-22-2021, 09:40 AM

Day 1, hour 3

It’s been cold, Austin the frailest of our pets has succumbed to the cold. With no food, we are debating how to cook him to preserve our strength.

Orangecrush · 10-22-2021, 09:46 AM

Day 1 hour 4

The cold is unbearable. The frozen air fills your lungs like sub zero water in the artic. I don’t know how much longer we can hold out. We are still keeping our faith that help is on the way. Please pray for us

Orangecrush · 10-22-2021, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclemens

In the electrical bay.

Can you be more specific? 😂

Can I jump it?

MR.M · 10-22-2021, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangecrush

Can you be more specific? 😂

Can I jump it?

you can jump the battery disconnect solenoid , often times when battery voltage gets to low it can not operate the solenoid so solenoid is most likely good

**bclemens** · 10-22-2021, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangecrush

Can you be more specific? ��

Sure, I searched "Trombetta"

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...id-225473.html

**bclemens** · 10-22-2021, 10:11 AM

also

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...es-204165.html

Orangecrush · 10-22-2021, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR.M

you can jump the battery disconnect solenoid , often times when battery voltage gets to low it can not operate the solenoid so solenoid is most likely good

I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing. I am trying to jump the charging solenoid that the generator charges the house batteries. It seems the house battery will not charge by the generator as after three hours of charging, it’s still at 10.6 V.

llr · 10-22-2021, 10:40 AM

In your 1st post it sounds like neither battery is charging as 10.x on the coach battery is still really dead.

I think there is something else going on here. Are the 120v items working on gen? How about exhaust fan? If this work I would try to find the battery disconnect solenoids and jump them and maybe the charging solenoid.

Desert Boat · 10-22-2021, 10:55 AM

May be the can to the lower right center of your picture.

It should have (typically) four connections:
1. heavy battery cables going to the truck batteries
2. heavy battery cables going to the house batteries
3. solenoid activate wire
4. ground wire

You should be able to verify 1 and 2 by reading voltage to ground - match what you see on the display.

To "jump", presuming the house has good voltage, would be between 2 and 3. Would be best if you had a shore piece of wire with a 15 amp fuse, in case something goes wrong.

NXR · 10-22-2021, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangecrush

I’m not sure we’re talking about the same thing. I am trying to jump the charging solenoid that the generator charges the house batteries. It seems the house battery will not charge by the generator as after three hours of charging, it’s still at 10.6 V.

Do the 120 volt outlets work?

I don't have a Dynamax but an onboard generator produces 120 volts AC. That powers a converter, or sometimes an inverter/charger, which produces 12 volts DC to run interior lights and charge batteries.

Don't know which you have but if your inside outlets are dead I'd be opening the generator cover and seeing if the circuit breakers are tripped.

My Onan generator has two breakers under the cover.

Some people with a separate converter also have simply had the plug fall out of the outlet.

You do have the house batteries connected, right?

Ray

houstonstroker · 10-22-2021, 04:12 PM

Do you have a meter? You should be getting over 13 volts out of your converter with he generator running.

camaraderie · 10-22-2021, 05:59 PM

This sounds like either the generator breakers are tripped which you can check by plugging in a hair dryer or lamp into a standard house socket.....OR...

A bad 12V converter due to either a failure or blown fuse...which you can check by turning on the house lights or water pump or anything you know is 12V...
Or a bad solenoid or accidently flipped battery disconnect switch.
Your batteries are low enough that they may not be recoverable. But if and when you DO find how they got so FLAT....the will quickly rise to 13 to 14.5 Volts when you take a reading....this is the CONVERTER you are looking at and NOT the battery which will take the better part of a day to REALLY get to full again...and then it won't be because of the damage that's been done. Just don't turn off the genny when you see over 13 on the meter cause you will see that HOURS and HOURS before the battery is charged. Good luck!

van_fl · 10-22-2021, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

This sounds like either the generator breakers are tripped which you can check by plugging in a hair dryer or lamp into a standard house socket.....OR...

A bad 12V converter due to either a failure or blown fuse...which you can check by turning on the house lights or water pump or anything you know is 12V...
Or a bad solenoid or accidently flipped battery disconnect switch.
Your batteries are low enough that they may not be recoverable. But if and when you DO find how they got so FLAT....the will quickly rise to 13 to 14.5 Volts when you take a reading....this is the CONVERTER you are looking at and NOT the battery which will take the better part of a day to REALLY get to full again...and then it won't be because of the damage that's been done. Just don't turn off the genny when you see over 13 on the meter cause you will see that HOURS and HOURS before the battery is charged. Good luck!

The best thing you could do is get the coach running. Get it charging the truck battery’s. Then check out the overall problem.

**bclemens** · 10-22-2021, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

This sounds like either the generator breakers are tripped which you can check by plugging in a hair dryer or lamp into a standard house socket.....OR...

A bad 12V converter due to either a failure or blown fuse...which you can check by turning on the house lights or water pump or anything you know is 12V...
Or a bad solenoid or accidently flipped battery disconnect switch.
Your batteries are low enough that they may not be recoverable. But if and when you DO find how they got so FLAT....the will quickly rise to 13 to 14.5 Volts when you take a reading....this is the CONVERTER you are looking at and NOT the battery which will take the better part of a day to REALLY get to full again...and then it won't be because of the damage that's been done. Just don't turn off the genny when you see over 13 on the meter cause you will see that HOURS and HOURS before the battery is charged. Good luck!

This coach does not have a converter. It has an inverter/charger.

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