Coach vs. Generator batteries on FC

[Scott Forman]

Hello all,

I have just finished removing my leveling pump from beneath the stair
well in anticipation of receiving a new one. While under there, I
have noticed various battery connections. I am looking for help to
understand it all.

It appears that a cable comes from the generator battery to the
solenoid on the leveling pump. On that same pin, there is also
another battery cable coming from a shunt attached to the back on the
step well right next to the leveling pump. The other side of that
shunt then has a cable that seems to come from the coach battery bank
and there is another solenoid attached here...I am assuming this is
the solenoid activated when you hit the battery boost switch on the
dash to tie coach & gen bats together.

A couple questions:

1) Does this all sound correct?

2) It would appear that the coach and gen bats have a connection to
each other through this shunt whether the dash switch is activated or
not. If this is the case, what happens when that solenoid is
activated?

3) If the coach bats and gen bat are always tied together, couldn't
the coach bats draw down the gen bat in a low voltage situation and
leave me stranded? I was under the impression that if I ever ran my
coach bats down dry camping, it wasn't a big problem as the gen bat
was isolated I could start the gen to charge the bats.

Just trying to understand all this and make sure mine is wired like
it should be. This area doesn't seem to be covered on any of the
blueprints in my blue box.

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis

[pattypape]

Scott, it seems that your 82 is a bit different,
But this is how I understand my 88 FC. The auxilary battery switch
energizes the solenoid, to start the engine with the gen battery
or the engine battery can start the Gennie. Works both ways.

Form the 12 volt solenoid connection terminal, a high current wire
is connected to the leveler motor to run this motor.

This is the confusing part:
The other solenoid (or in my cast a diode) is used when charging
the generator battery, it is energized from shore/generator power or
from the alternator when the ignition is in the "ON" position.
This method isolates the generator battery from the engine battery.
Someone can correct this if it is wrong or more confusing.

Bill 88 FC Michigan.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
<sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have just finished removing my leveling pump from beneath the
stair
> well in anticipation of receiving a new one. While under there, I
> have noticed various battery connections. I am looking for help
to
> understand it all.
>
> It appears that a cable comes from the generator battery to the
> solenoid on the leveling pump. On that same pin, there is also
> another battery cable coming from a shunt attached to the back on
the
> step well right next to the leveling pump. The other side of that
> shunt then has a cable that seems to come from the coach battery
bank
> and there is another solenoid attached here...I am assuming this
is
> the solenoid activated when you hit the battery boost switch on
the
> dash to tie coach & gen bats together.
>
> A couple questions:
>
> 1) Does this all sound correct?
>
> 2) It would appear that the coach and gen bats have a connection
to
> each other through this shunt whether the dash switch is activated
or
> not. If this is the case, what happens when that solenoid is
> activated?
>
> 3) If the coach bats and gen bat are always tied together,
couldn't
> the coach bats draw down the gen bat in a low voltage situation
and
> leave me stranded? I was under the impression that if I ever ran
my
> coach bats down dry camping, it wasn't a big problem as the gen
bat
> was isolated I could start the gen to charge the bats.
>
> Just trying to understand all this and make sure mine is wired
like
> it should be. This area doesn't seem to be covered on any of the
> blueprints in my blue box.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

[pattypape]

Scott,

Another thought,
With the help of your partner,
You should be able to here and feel the solenoid kick in when the
ignition is turned to the "ON" position or plugging into shore power.
This adds the gen battery to the circuit for charging purposes only.

Bill 88 FC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
<sforman@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have just finished removing my leveling pump from beneath the
stair
> well in anticipation of receiving a new one. While under there, I
> have noticed various battery connections. I am looking for help
to
> understand it all.
>
> It appears that a cable comes from the generator battery to the
> solenoid on the leveling pump. On that same pin, there is also
> another battery cable coming from a shunt attached to the back on
the
> step well right next to the leveling pump. The other side of that
> shunt then has a cable that seems to come from the coach battery
bank
> and there is another solenoid attached here...I am assuming this
is
> the solenoid activated when you hit the battery boost switch on
the
> dash to tie coach & gen bats together.
>
> A couple questions:
>
> 1) Does this all sound correct?
>
> 2) It would appear that the coach and gen bats have a connection
to
> each other through this shunt whether the dash switch is activated
or
> not. If this is the case, what happens when that solenoid is
> activated?
>
> 3) If the coach bats and gen bat are always tied together,
couldn't
> the coach bats draw down the gen bat in a low voltage situation
and
> leave me stranded? I was under the impression that if I ever ran
my
> coach bats down dry camping, it wasn't a big problem as the gen
bat
> was isolated I could start the gen to charge the bats.
>
> Just trying to understand all this and make sure mine is wired
like
> it should be. This area doesn't seem to be covered on any of the
> blueprints in my blue box.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

[Howard O. Truitt]

Scott,
I have ran down my coach batteries and killed the Gen battery also, had to call
for a jump start. Be interested to see what comes back on your post.
Howard Truitt
Camilla, Ga.
86 PT40
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Forman
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 4:21 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Coach vs. Generator batteries on FC


Hello all,

I have just finished removing my leveling pump from beneath the stair
well in anticipation of receiving a new one. While under there, I
have noticed various battery connections. I am looking for help to
understand it all.

It appears that a cable comes from the generator battery to the
solenoid on the leveling pump. On that same pin, there is also
another battery cable coming from a shunt attached to the back on the
step well right next to the leveling pump. The other side of that
shunt then has a cable that seems to come from the coach battery bank
and there is another solenoid attached here...I am assuming this is
the solenoid activated when you hit the battery boost switch on the
dash to tie coach & gen bats together.

A couple questions:

1) Does this all sound correct?

2) It would appear that the coach and gen bats have a connection to
each other through this shunt whether the dash switch is activated or
not. If this is the case, what happens when that solenoid is
activated?

3) If the coach bats and gen bat are always tied together, couldn't
the coach bats draw down the gen bat in a low voltage situation and
leave me stranded? I was under the impression that if I ever ran my
coach bats down dry camping, it wasn't a big problem as the gen bat
was isolated I could start the gen to charge the bats.

Just trying to understand all this and make sure mine is wired like
it should be. This area doesn't seem to be covered on any of the
blueprints in my blue box.

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis






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[Stephen Birtles]

Iwould drop a line to Jeff Miller and see if he can be of any
assistance. he is really good with the electrical systems
Stephen 77 fc35



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
wrote:
>
> Scott,
> I have ran down my coach batteries and killed the Gen battery also,
had to call for a jump start. Be interested to see what comes back on
your post.
> Howard Truitt
> Camilla, Ga.
> 86 PT40
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott Forman
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 4:21 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Coach vs. Generator batteries on FC
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have just finished removing my leveling pump from beneath the stair
> well in anticipation of receiving a new one. While under there, I
> have noticed various battery connections. I am looking for help to
> understand it all.
>
> It appears that a cable comes from the generator battery to the
> solenoid on the leveling pump. On that same pin, there is also
> another battery cable coming from a shunt attached to the back on the
> step well right next to the leveling pump. The other side of that
> shunt then has a cable that seems to come from the coach battery bank
> and there is another solenoid attached here...I am assuming this is
> the solenoid activated when you hit the battery boost switch on the
> dash to tie coach & gen bats together.
>
> A couple questions:
>
> 1) Does this all sound correct?
>
> 2) It would appear that the coach and gen bats have a connection to
> each other through this shunt whether the dash switch is activated or
> not. If this is the case, what happens when that solenoid is
> activated?
>
> 3) If the coach bats and gen bat are always tied together, couldn't
> the coach bats draw down the gen bat in a low voltage situation and
> leave me stranded? I was under the impression that if I ever ran my
> coach bats down dry camping, it wasn't a big problem as the gen bat
> was isolated I could start the gen to charge the bats.
>
> Just trying to understand all this and make sure mine is wired like
> it should be. This area doesn't seem to be covered on any of the
> blueprints in my blue box.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>
>
>
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Recreational vehicle
financing Recreational vehicle repair
> Recreational vehicle rental Recreational vehicle camper
Recreational vehicle rate
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> a.. Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web.
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Stephen Birtles]

Iwould drop a line to Jeff Miller and see if he can be of any
assistance. he is really good with the electrical systems
Stephen 77 fc35



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
wrote:
>
> Scott,
> I have ran down my coach batteries and killed the Gen battery also,
had to call for a jump start. Be interested to see what comes back on
your post.
> Howard Truitt
> Camilla, Ga.
> 86 PT40
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott Forman
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 4:21 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Coach vs. Generator batteries on FC
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have just finished removing my leveling pump from beneath the stair
> well in anticipation of receiving a new one. While under there, I
> have noticed various battery connections. I am looking for help to
> understand it all.
>
> It appears that a cable comes from the generator battery to the
> solenoid on the leveling pump. On that same pin, there is also
> another battery cable coming from a shunt attached to the back on the
> step well right next to the leveling pump. The other side of that
> shunt then has a cable that seems to come from the coach battery bank
> and there is another solenoid attached here...I am assuming this is
> the solenoid activated when you hit the battery boost switch on the
> dash to tie coach & gen bats together.
>
> A couple questions:
>
> 1) Does this all sound correct?
>
> 2) It would appear that the coach and gen bats have a connection to
> each other through this shunt whether the dash switch is activated or
> not. If this is the case, what happens when that solenoid is
> activated?
>
> 3) If the coach bats and gen bat are always tied together, couldn't
> the coach bats draw down the gen bat in a low voltage situation and
> leave me stranded? I was under the impression that if I ever ran my
> coach bats down dry camping, it wasn't a big problem as the gen bat
> was isolated I could start the gen to charge the bats.
>
> Just trying to understand all this and make sure mine is wired like
> it should be. This area doesn't seem to be covered on any of the
> blueprints in my blue box.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>
>
>
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Recreational vehicle
financing Recreational vehicle repair
> Recreational vehicle rental Recreational vehicle camper
Recreational vehicle rate
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> a.. Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web.
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Jeff Miller]

I believe the '82 to be wired as such:

The genset battery is tied to side A of the solenoid. The genset
battery is also the one which energizes this relay when the Aux.
Start button is pushed, which is to say that you can't start a dead
genset by pushing this switch.

Side B of the solenoid has a wire forward to the starter (to tie in
with the main battery bank). It is also wired to the leveling pump,
and to side A of the shunt under the stepwell.

Side B of the shunt under the stepwell is tied to the (110v)
chargers. The charger path is from the chargers, through the shunt
(which are intended to read 110v-source charging for the main
batteries), through a connection at one side of the solenoid to the
starter, and then on through various other connections and
junctions "straight" to the main battery bank.

It does the job, but to be kind, there are better ways to get the
charging power to the main battery bank.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have just finished removing my leveling pump from beneath the
stair
> well in anticipation of receiving a new one. While under there, I
> have noticed various battery connections. I am looking for help to
> understand it all.
>
> It appears that a cable comes from the generator battery to the
> solenoid on the leveling pump. On that same pin, there is also
> another battery cable coming from a shunt attached to the back on
the
> step well right next to the leveling pump. The other side of that
> shunt then has a cable that seems to come from the coach battery
bank
> and there is another solenoid attached here...I am assuming this is
> the solenoid activated when you hit the battery boost switch on the
> dash to tie coach & gen bats together.
>
> A couple questions:
>
> 1) Does this all sound correct?
>
> 2) It would appear that the coach and gen bats have a connection to
> each other through this shunt whether the dash switch is activated
or
> not. If this is the case, what happens when that solenoid is
> activated?
>
> 3) If the coach bats and gen bat are always tied together, couldn't
> the coach bats draw down the gen bat in a low voltage situation and
> leave me stranded? I was under the impression that if I ever ran
my
> coach bats down dry camping, it wasn't a big problem as the gen bat
> was isolated I could start the gen to charge the bats.
>
> Just trying to understand all this and make sure mine is wired like
> it should be. This area doesn't seem to be covered on any of the
> blueprints in my blue box.
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>