Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: rfrum on February 23, 2014, 08:24:44 pm

Title: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: rfrum on February 23, 2014, 08:24:44 pm
read the excellent Beamalarm explanation of the Engine Battery Boost Switch operation.

Appears our solenoid is dead, but unable to locate it in cab dash compartments.  Looked in outside compartment below driver window and in compartment for engine batteries.  Looked under bed around engine and not there either.
 
Have a 96 U295 36'--any ideas where the engine battery boost switch SOLENOID is located?

thanks--Ralph
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: Irwin on February 23, 2014, 08:59:05 pm
Do you have door behind rear wheel , that's where mine is on a 1996 U 270
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: Irwin on February 23, 2014, 09:19:57 pm
Here is photo , it is relay on bottom right , kinda dark color.
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: red tractor on February 23, 2014, 10:05:36 pm
Like Irwin said is where the boost solenoid should be on a 95 or 96
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: J. D. Stevens on February 23, 2014, 10:18:34 pm
Ours is in the same place. It is very near the battery isolator. 1997 U295
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: John Haygarth on February 24, 2014, 10:21:31 am
 Ralph, once you locate it you can remove and take the domed cap off and clean copper contactor etc up and rebuild it. Seal around rim (after rebending it over) with epoxy or? and it will work fine. Saves buying one and will take all of an hour to do it. I did both on the 240 and they work great now.
JohnH
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: rfrum on February 24, 2014, 10:38:29 am
Snow was on the ground when I was dealing with it.  Wasn't motivated to underneath, will get serious when I bring it back from storage next dry stretch.

Appear to be close to engine above some kinda duct, in the same right rear small compartment for the engine batteries?

Anything about the isolator or relays shown in the foto that would be of concern?  Also wires look pretty small for this kind of load--worth replacing some of them at this age (18 years) to help operations?  Doing winter/spring PM list of projects while stuck at home here in SW WA state.

Good idea about repair service--this 200 amp unit is pretty expensive and the Beamalarm link was out of stock, did find a couple on Amazon.

Thanks--Ralph
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: John Haygarth on February 24, 2014, 12:13:51 pm
 Looking at that photo I see only 1 solenoid (sort of bronze colour!!) and the wires to one of the lugs make me think it is the Auxiliary start solenoid, not the Boost one. Is there another one to the right of this with red heavier cables going to the lugs?? If so then that one is the Boost. I would take both apart and redo. So simple and no expense and waiting.
JohnH
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: TheBrays on February 25, 2014, 07:31:17 am
Appear to be close to engine above some kinda duct, in the same right rear small compartment for the engine batteries?
Thanks--Ralph

The duct is the aux flexible dump hose carrier.
The isolator is on the driver's side behind the safe hanging down from the bedroom.
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: joeszeidel on February 25, 2014, 12:44:42 pm
Like others have said its behind the left rear tire up in the corner right by the isolater at least it is on my 95 u320. Hard to see at first. I had to crawl underneath to find it.
Title: Re: Battery Boost Solenoid location?
Post by: rfrum on February 26, 2014, 02:58:11 pm
RIGHT WHERE YOU SAID.  ONCE I CRAWLED UNDER THE CORRECT END, WAS EASY TO SPOT UP BEHIND THE SAFE.  AND THE BOOST SOLENOID WAS OBVIOUS WITH THE EXTRA BIG BATTERY CABLES ON BOTH SIDES--

THANKS TO ALL.

RALPH