tropical36
Southwest Florida_USA
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Joined: 07/11/2004
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All indications are that my aux. starting capabilities aren't working. I'm talking about the dash switch that allows you to jumper the coach batteries to the chassis battery.
My old coach had the solenoid for this on the firewall under the hood. Don't know about this rig, execpt I do remember seeing a solenoid under the dog house cover somewhere when I checked the belt.
Anyway, I need some enlightment here, as to it's location and also for some ideas towards getting this issue resolved.
"We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey."
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal, with a tag axle and one slide, on a 1997 P32 Chevy chassis....7.4 Vortec Engine
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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Start by opening the front and have someone activate the switch. LISTEN for the solenoid to click.
If this is activated by a momentary switch (have to hold it for it to work) any solenoid of adequate amps will work. If a "constant on" switch (you could leave it in the ON position) then you need a CONSTANT DUTY SOLENOID.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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henchman
Cardinal, Ontario
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Joined: 06/01/2006
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Start at the chassis battery and follow the positive lead until you find the solenoid.
The one you found under the doghouse is most likely for the starter.
Ian
1991 Winnebago Warrior 30eu
OLD RIG
2006 Chevy Uplander 3.5l
2005 Jayco Sport 165 18' 3500lbs loaded
Putnam WD w/800lb bars
Acar friction type sway control
Hoppy digital display brake control
BALANCED tires! (Please everyone, balance your tires!)
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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Should be in the battery control center under the hood on drivers side in most cases where batteries are under the hood.
Located behind dead front if batteries are located under entry steps.
Operate battery disconnects and boost switch as noted above to locate.
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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cseidel
Houston, Texas
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Joined: 04/29/2007
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I have a 99 Tropical on a Ford F53 chassie. The solenoid on mine is in the 12 volt distribution panel located in the right front storage compartment. Maybe yours is the same.
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tropical36
Southwest Florida_USA
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Joined: 07/11/2004
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My batteries are under the steps....what is mean't by "dead front"?
My 12vdc stuff is in the basement compartment at the left of the entry door....don't remember it being there, but I'll look again....and also under the coach behind the steps...where I can follow the cables if necessary.
Yep...National is...belly up and probably down for the count...but then I've talked to them before and they were never as helpful as these forums are. I did get some elementry block type wiring diagrams from them... that are helpful for somethings, though.
I went out for a test run this evening after doing some repairs and modifications and had to externally jump start it before I could leave...chassis battery was fine on our recent 3 month trip, but goes down after a week or two of inactivity. I didn't return until just about dark, so I never had a chance to take a good looksee as yet. Figured, might as well get some direction before I start on it.
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427435
Rochester, Mn
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Joined: 11/12/2005
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The auxilary start solenoid is probably bad. Even if it "clicks" when you hit the switch, it won't necessarily work because of corrison of the contact points inside.
Mine didn't work either when I first tried it (bought used). $15 at an auto supply place took care of it.
Hope my spelling is OK-----the spell check is screwed up again. Why can't that get fixed after all these weeks????????????????????
Mark
2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
ReadyBrute tow bar, and Demco base plate.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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A "deadfront" is a metal shield to protect electrical equipment. Remove the cover and you could be dead. Old terminology, but is still used.
Look closely above the batteries for a couple screws holding a metal plate. Sometimes you can reach under and feel for equipment.
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dougrainer
Carrolton
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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cseidel wrote:I have a 99 Tropical on a Ford F53 chassie. The solenoid on mine is in the 12 volt distribution panel located in the right front storage compartment. Maybe yours is the same.
ALL National products use the 12 volt fuse center that is in one of the compartments as the MAIN control for the 12 volt system. There are 2 solenoids behind the green fuse panel and one of those solenoids is the emergency start solenoid. The solenoids are part of the total assbly. If you batteries are under the step well, then this assbly is either in the compartment in front of the entry door in in the compartment behind the entry door. On National Diesels it is usually in the 2nd from rear compartment on the passenger side. Doug
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
You want a relay that is rated to stay on all the time. This is because they use the same relay to recharge the coach batteries while driving down the road. It has to get replaced, because it is likely that the coach batteries are not getting recharged like they should be when the engine is on.
When I replaced mine, I used a Forklift relay rated at 120 amps and 100,000 cycles before the nickle coated contacts begin to wear out, and it has been very good to me. I did not mount the new relay in the tiny box where Fleetwood put the realy at the factory, it looks really difficult to remove, so I used some #4 wire from the alternator to the relay, then from the relay to the coach batteries. I left the non-working factory relay alone. It will sit there and not transfer much power from the engine battery to the coach battery, and it barely uses any power while driving.
If I am going to use the engine to recharge my coach batteries, I turn on the relay manually, otherwise I leave it off except to recharge the engine battery once a week or so, (from the factory battery charger or solar panels, power goes from the coach battery into the engine battery) and to jump start if required.
I have the switch close to the drivers seat, so I can turn it on as required. Usually I let my solar system recharge the coach batteries, and that works for me.
The forklift relay that I bought is Grainger.com part #6CO17. I remember it by thinking of highway 17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, and on to the Grand Canyon.
Another thing I added is a battery shut-off. This disconnects the battery when I turn the knob to the off position.
Fred.
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