Can this be right?

[rubyslippers6232]

Our house battery is completely dead, drained by leaving in some fuses that I normally take out but forgot. Figured it out when I went to turn on the Fantastic Fan and it wouldn't run. So I started the van, drove it around for a little while, and tried to start the generator. In the past, I was able to start it this way, but not this time. We don't have a way to plug in (live in condo), but we're going camping this weekend, so we are hoping to charge the battery then. But my biggest frustration is that even with the van running, I was not able to adjust the electronic seats...can this be right? Shouldn't they be movable if the van is running? So my main questions are: 1) why wouldn't the generator start with the van running, and 2) why wouldn't the seats move?

Guess I'm driving this weekend since it's in position for my short legs!

[skater]

They both should work with the engine running. Sounds like the same issue someone else had - the selenoid isn't working.

[rubyslippers6232]

Thanks so much, Skater. I just did a forum search for "selenoid" and it sounds like that is probably the problem. Can the average person change this, or should my mechanic do it? Wow, this forum sure is a huge help!

[rubyslippers6232]

But how silly is it that the seat controls are on the house battery and not the engine battery? I'm very surprised by that.

[skater]

But how silly is it that the seat controls are on the house battery and not the engine battery? I'm very surprised by that.

Yeah, I was pretty surprised, too. The fog lights in mine were also on the house battery. My guess for the seats is that you might want to move them while camping so you can rotate them or get them out of the way of the couch. No idea for the fog lights, though.

I haven't done it, but I can't imagine it'd be hard to change a selenoid. There should be only three or four wires - two battery cables (one coming from the engine battery or alternator, and one going to the battery; don't reverse these), plus a ground wire. Fourth wire, if it exists, might be a voltage sensing wire that goes high (+12) when the ignition is on, which is what triggers the selenoid.

[LarryMarty]

I have had the same problem with my camper battery charging and noticed the same thing with the Seats.

Anyway, I had my batteries tested (1993 B190) and during the testing, the mechanic said that the cabin battery wasn't getting a charge. He followed all the wires and said the wire that should be connected simply was not connected. (this was at a parts place that didn't do repair) ...and he suggested that I connect it directly to the motor battery.

The connection was all wrapped up in tape........so I didn't attempt to correct the problem, (as I am pretty bad at this kind of stuff) ... but he said my sylinoid was fine...and it worked for both batteries.

So....does anyone have any comments about this. I also live in a condo and have no way of charging my battery.

However....when my generator is running...it apparently charges the house battery.

[skater]

Old thread, I know, but I just came across this dual battery switch that resembles the one I have. This is what is installed in mine that lets the alternator charge the coach battery.

[Eagle]

On my rig the coach battery must be charged in order to start the generator. Also the generator will not run for long periods of time if the house battery is weak.

My generator (Onan) does not charge the house battery.

Wayne

[skater]

On my rig the coach battery must be charged in order to start the generator. Also the generator will not run for long periods of time if the house battery is weak.

My generator (Onan) does not charge the house battery.

That's really weird. It should. The 120 volt power (regardless of source) should supply power to the converter, which in turn should charge the battery.

In fact that's why most people have generators - to charge the battery after a couple days of dry camping.

I wonder what would happen if you unhooked the coach battery then ran the generator - would the 12 volt lights work? If not then the converter for some reason isn't getting 120 volt power.

[Eagle]

OK, I need to clear this up.

The Onan generator will not charge the house battery, but the converter will. The converter operates when the generator runs.

Wayne

[skater]

Ahh, okay. You had me really confused there. I was worried that there was a major problem with your rig.