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Battery switch on dash

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jt

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Battery switch on dash
« on: January 22, 2015, 07:40:51 pm »
Our 2014 Model 2350 has a white rocker switch on the left side of the dash that is supposed to allow the coach batteries to be used to start the engine when engine battery is dead. An unknown drain and freezing temperatures destroyed our engine battery and when I attempted to use the switch to start with the coach batteries, after a flicker of dash lights and two weak clicks nothing happened. After that, not even a click. The coach batteries are fully charged and I even tried with the generator on. After a jump-start and a new battery engine starts Ok, but the service man says the dash switch is simply not working, maybe not even connected. Anybody have any ideas, what did I do wrong?

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ragoodsp

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Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2015, 08:48:23 pm »
JT...it is my understanding that you must hold the white switch up for some time before you attempt to start the truck.  Merely flicking the switch will not anything.  Hope this helps?  Thanks, Ron

Ron Goodspeed

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Denny & Barb

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Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2015, 08:49:40 pm »
Oh I think it is work ok, but with only a #10 gage wire running from coach bats, it's going to take a longer period to bring back the engine battery. A toggle switch would maybe be a better choice  or a lighted switch. I just repaired mine as loose connection on the cylinoid .
Your Word our Lord is a light to my feet and a lantern to my path...  Ps 119

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keelhauler

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Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2015, 10:57:02 am »
Phoenix changed it from a on-off switch to a momentary switch a few years ago. Since it takes a while to get power back into the engine battery you must hold it on. You cannot use your coach batteries as starter batteries. In fact even if you are holding it on as soon as you hit the ignition switch the relay drops out so you don't over load the wires.

However there is no reason you can't leave this switch on to fully charge your battery. What I did was go to Advance Auto parts and bought the identical switch, except it is on-off. The switch just easily pops out and the switch has spade terminals so it plugs right in.

I am on the beach in Mexico and about once a month I throw the switch on so my engine battery recharges, There is a constant load on and in a month it drops from 12.7 v to 12,5 v.

If that switch is on and you close your side door even with your step override on your step will go in. Another safety feature.



John

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Pax

Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2015, 01:25:11 pm »
Great info, John....thanks!

  - Mike

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2015, 05:32:51 pm »
If you are patient enough, on many of these types of switches, you can disassemble it and remove the spring that prevents it from springing to the "Off" position.  Those tiny jeweler's screwdrivers work well for the project.  Admittedly I have not tried it on our PC.

BTW, our 2007 has the spring-loaded temporary-on switch so PC-USA has been installed then for many years.  Because I carry long jumper cables, I have never used that switch.

I have a related story.

About 3 years ago, my uncle passed away.  He lived a day's ride away so we thought it would be better to drive our PC so I woke it up in a hurry from a long winter's nap.  The chassis battery was dead so I jumped it and off we went, thinking it would charge as we drive on the highway for many hours.  As a precaution I carried my 40amp battery charger and long jumper cables.  Wouldn't you know, the chassis battery would not hold a charge.  Every time I needed to start the engine, I used the long jumper cables to the pair of house batteries in back.  The next day on our way home, our last stop in a rest area, even the jumper cables wasn't enough to turn over the engine.  That last jump required the jumper cables to the rear batteries and the 40 amp battery charger (running off the generator).  The engine then had enough juice to turn over and start.  Needless to say, buying a new chassis battery was the next thing done once back home.  I bought a real nice sealed battery from Sears and it serves us well today.....I hope.  It has been in heated storage since October, all batteries disconnected.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2015, 05:34:43 pm by ron.dittmer »
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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jt

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Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2015, 12:56:39 pm »
Thanks to everybody for your replies. I now know a lot more about the workings of the little white switch.

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jfcaramagno

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Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2015, 02:44:50 pm »
FWIW, letting a lead-acid battery discharge completely is about the worst thing you can do to it. It only takes a couple of those discharges to destroy the battery.

Also, I wonder what the duty cycle is for the relay triggered by the jump switch. Leaving the switch on, and the relay energized for a long time, can burn out the relay.
John and Carol

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keelhauler

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Re: Battery switch on dash
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2015, 08:29:29 am »
I leave mine on for 2 months at a time while my RV is in storage so that my solar arrays keep the engine battery charged. No problem. Its a relay, you are just keeping it energized. No dusty cycle involved.

The replacement switch is less that $10 and a 5 minute installation.



John