Battery Switch next to streering wheel question?

In my old 2551 there was an on-off switch to allow you to jumper the coach batteries to the vehicle battery.
On my new 2552 there is a switch that operates a relay. I can hear it click.
Not sure how this works. Does the relay stay closed until key is turned on?
How do you know if the relay is closed or not?
I don't see any change in vehicle battery voltage when I hit the switch.

John

On our 2008 model I had a bad battery and had to use that switch (on the dash) to start the motorhome.  The setup saved a call to AAA and a late start to the day.  The switch is the same on our new 2012 model.

I talked to Kermit the first time I needed to use it and this is what he told me.  

Push and hold the switch in for a period of time.  I had to hold mine for about 5 to 10 minutes. What this causes is the relay to remain operated.  It appears to be a charge that is put into the battery versus putting a jumper on the battery.  I have started the vehicle with the switch operated or released.   Not sure what the best way is but it worked either way.

I asked Kermit why it was made that it had to be held in and he stated that people would forget to release it if it was not spring loaded.

Barry

John and Barry

Let me add a bit more.  The man that does the wiring says the gauge of the wire is suitable only for charging.  To pull a full starting current is too much.

Dick from FL in IN

Well that explains much.  I pulled my mh out last week to go on a weekend trip.  I must have left the lights on, because the enigne battery died. Amyway I tried to start the mh using that switch.  I held that switch for 30 seconds or so and it did nothing so out came the battery charger.  I started the generator and plugged the charger into the outside recepticle and charged the battery. Two minutes later it was running.  Anyway, I thought that switch was bad, guess not. I will have to give Barry's method a try.

DJM

I know you can't pull enough power through that relay to start, but if you want to charge it slowly your finger will get very tired.

I replaced my switch with an on-off toggle switch. Found one at Advance Auto parts for $5 that snaps into the same hole and plugs into the connectors with no problem.

The main reason I want a toggle switch is: I use solar array power. If I don't start my engine motor the engine battery will slowly discharge.
I have a monitotr that monitors all batteries and if the engine battery is low I just flip the switch and let it charge back up.

Neat.  I feel a need to go to Advance Auto.

DJM

keelhauler,

Just be sure there is not a current drain when leaving that switch on.  If left unattended/unmonitored, it could draw more amperage than a solar collector can surpass.  Especially on days where the collector does little, and then evenings combined.  The relay it trips does consume power.  But you probably have learned that already.  Just making sure.

That constant-on switch would be ideal when plugged into shore power.

That constant-on switch would be ideal when plugged into shore power.

Ron

Not sure what you meant.

I have a question about having the emergency starting switch activated for a long period of time while connected to shore power.  I think it is safe to use for a short period of time but I'm not sure what if any problems might be caused  by long term use.  Adding the van starting battery to the converter charging system will now mix the deep cycle house batteries with the van starting battery.  I am not sure about what problems could occur by mixing  batteries of different type, size and age for long periods of time.

Barry

Barry, you bring up a very good point about mixing different battery types during a shore-power charge.....or any charging source for that matter.

As long as all 3 batteries are lead acid batteries there is no problem jumpering them all ogether. The engine battery will get a charge but the wires are bigger and shorter to the two coach batteries so unless the engine battery is defective there is no problem. Been doing this for 18 years with 2 other RV's.

Keelhauler is an engineer who designed the solar system on his prior and new pc.  He had very specific and detailed plans for the installation at the factory.  I took a glimpse, but they were too complicated for me.  Of course, anything beyond a beer label is beyond me at the moment...