Coach Batteries

[RonKash]

I have 3-12 volt batteries for the coach.
Should all three be wired in parallel or just 2?
Could someone draw me a sketch of the battery setup?
I have a bundle of several small gauge white wires and 1 small guage black wire.
I thought I was quite smart and didn't take a picture of the setup when I changed the batteries and now i am having an issue with power being on with the key off.

[Chuck v]

Ron,

You did not tell us which coach model you have, but most have separate systems for "house" power (interior lights, etc) and chassis power to crank the engine, etc. If you have a gas engine, the single battery is likely that one. The two in parallel are likely the house batteries. The three should not be connected together permanently (some coaches have a switch on the dash that closes a relay to do this interconnect momentarily to start the coach if the chassis battery is low...)

On my diesel coach I have eight batteries -- two in parallel for the diesel engine cranking - these are the chassis batteries; two in parallel for the interior lighting loads -- these are the house batteries; and 4 each 6 volt batteries in series-parallel making a high capacity 12 volt stack to power the inverter that can make 120 volts AC in the absence of shore power or generator power. These also provide the cranking power for the diesel generator that is on board.

If you disclose the model and year of the coach you have, members here may be able to give more specific answers to your question. Was there a specific behavior or symptom you are chasing that prompted you to ask this question?

Chuck

[RonKash]

I failed to mention that I have a 2000 Senic Cruiser, Diesel pusher.
Right now, when I hook up the batteries, a row of lights on the control panel light up, even though the key is off.

[RonKash]

Things are getting better. The battery disconnect and ignition switch are bad.
I have 3 heavy gauge red cables in the chassie/coach shelf. 1 has the ability to connect to 2 batteries, I assume to the starter.
The other 2, do the both go to the other 12 volt battery?

[Dgears02]

Things are getting better. The battery disconnect and ignition switch are bad.
I have 3 heavy gauge red cables in the chassie/coach shelf. 1 has the ability to connect to 2 batteries, I assume to the starter.
The other 2, do the both go to the other 12 volt battery?

Have you ever figured out the connections?

[RayChez1]

Ron: I have a 2002 Scenic Cruiser and it has four six volt batteries hooked up in series in order to get twelve volts in the house.

It also has two twelve volt batteries and they have to be hooked up in parallel so that you can maintain twelve volts for the cranking of the engine.

What you want is twelve volts in the house and twelve volts for the engine.

[Chuck v]

Ray,

Pretty sure your four each 6 volt batteries are hooked up in series/parallel to result in a high capacity 12 volt bank. This is the same configuration that my 2007 TM has for the inverter, since the residential refrigerator only runs on 110 v, and the inverter does this when neither the shore power nor the generator power are available while under way...

http://cdnl.atbatt.com/media/wysiwyg/rv/6v-battery-series-and-parallel-wiring-600x519.jpg
Chuck

[RayChez1]

Chuck: You are probably right. I was going to check the batteries to see how they are hooked up, but it is too hot to go out there today and do that.

I will report back as soon as I get a chance to check them.