Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Peter & Beth on May 02, 2011, 05:06:01 pm
Title: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 02, 2011, 05:06:01 pm
I'm not at the coach, so I do not have access to the electrical diagrams. Even if I did, I'm not sure I would be able to figure out the answer to the question "Can I disconnect the house batteries, run the genset and use the boost to charge the start batteries?"
Reason for my query is that I may have to leave the coach at a repair shop (darned Dash A/C issue for 2011) and I may not have the time to properly charge the coach & start batteries prior to bringing the coach to the repair facility. So, I'm thinking that I'll disconnect the coach battery bank so as not to tax the alternator unduly. And, if I have to, instruct the repair shop to run the genny and set the boost switch on for that length of time.
If someone has an alternate way to achieve the same results, please let me know. I just don't know if the "boost on" takes its juice from the isolator or what?
Title: Re: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: Barry Beam on May 02, 2011, 06:27:37 pm
I'm not at the coach, so I do not have access to the electrical diagrams. Even if I did, I'm not sure I would be able to figure out the answer to the question "Can I disconnect the house batteries, run the genset and use the boost to charge the start batteries?"
Reason for my query is that I may have to leave the coach at a repair shop (darned Dash A/C issue for 2011) and I may not have the time to properly charge the coach & start batteries prior to bringing the coach to the repair facility. So, I'm thinking that I'll disconnect the coach battery bank so as not to tax the alternator unduly. And, if I have to, instruct the repair shop to run the genny and set the boost switch on for that length of time.
If someone has an alternate way to achieve the same results, please let me know. I just don't know if the "boost on" takes its juice from the isolator or what?
If you are going to run the generator anyway, why are you disconnecting the house batteries. Let the Gen charge both sets with boost ON. Have the Gen running when you drive it to the shop & you wont tax the Alternator.
Title: Re: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 02, 2011, 06:32:44 pm
If you are going to run the generator anyway, why are you disconnecting the house batteries. Let the Gen charge both sets with boost ON. Have the Gen running when you drive it to the shop & you wont tax the Alternator.
Yes, I plan to do this process as you describe. Issue is while the coach is at the repair facility. It may sit there for a few days before they get to it. The start batteries being 7 years old, I'd like to leave instructions to run the genset for a few minutes to charge the start batteries prior to engaging the starter.
Title: Re: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: John S on May 02, 2011, 06:52:56 pm
Why are you leaving it for so long. I went to Thermo King and they fixed up my whole Dash AC unit lines and condenser unit in one day.
Title: Re: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: Barry Beam on May 02, 2011, 06:54:02 pm
If you are going to run the generator anyway, why are you disconnecting the house batteries. Let the Gen charge both sets with boost ON. Have the Gen running when you drive it to the shop & you wont tax the Alternator.
Yes, I plan to do this process as you describe. Issue is while the coach is at the repair facility. It may sit there for a few days before they get to it. The start batteries being 7 years old, I'd like to leave instructions to run the genset for a few minutes to charge the start batteries prior to engaging the starter.
I would have them connect the house batteries & charge both sets since they have to start the gen anyway BUT:
I don't see any reason why you could not charge just the chassis batteries with the boost. 8) It will just charge the batteries that are connected.
Title: Re: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on May 02, 2011, 06:55:28 pm
Peter, When I need service on the coach, I NEVER leave it at a shop unless I am present to control all parts of the safety of the coach. If the shop is unable to schedule a time when they can do the work, I either camp out, or go to a different shop.Some times there comes a point where you need to make a decision before they con proceed, with you there is makes it a simple issue, if your off fishing, things get backed up If the shop will not permit you to be with your coach, find a different shop. Do not let them give you the insurance rules, "No one is allowed in the shop", that is pure HH (Horse Hockey). It is intended to limit people loitering in the shop. Bottom line; No one gets the opportunity to snoop or mess with my coach while I am off fishing or what ever. Just an opinion from a dummy ;D
Title: Re: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: Peter & Beth on May 02, 2011, 06:59:52 pm
Peter, When I need service on the coach, I NEVER leave it at a shop unless I am present to control all parts of the safety of the coach. If the shop is unable to schedule a time when they can do the work, I either camp out, or go to a different shop.Some times there comes a point where you need to make a decision before they con proceed, with you there is makes it a simple issue, if your off fishing, things get backed up If the shop will not permit you to be with your coach, find a different shop. Do not let them give you the insurance rules, "No one is allowed in the shop", that is pure HH (Horse Hockey). It is intended to limit people loitering in the shop. Bottom line; No one gets the opportunity to snoop or mess with my coach while I am off fishing or what ever. Just an opinion from a dummy ;D
Not knowing and having the confidence of these folks in Cincinnati makes things a bit difficult around here for me. I've read in this forum that many a/c repair places will work on coaches...not here. Also sometimes folks here have an "attitude". They don't seem to "chill" well. If there's a good A/C repair facility in Nac. I may just wait until I go there this year to have the dash a/c fixed once and for all. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Coach Battery Disconnected, Boost on Does Start Battery Charge?
Post by: amos.harrison on May 02, 2011, 07:58:36 pm
Peter,
I've been very happy with FT's service on my dash air.