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ELECTRICAL
Ford Chassis Battery Overview
This article provides an overview of the Ford chassis
battery bank.
Ford chassis batteries are serviceable liquid lead acid
batteries. They are provided with the chassis and
warrantied through the chassis manufacturer (Ford). The
type and brand of chassis battery may vary depending
on the coach year, make, and model. Chassis batteries
may need to be disconnected and removed from the
coach to perform routine battery maintenance.
The chassis batteries are recharged by the vehicle’s
electrical system whenever the engine is running. With
an added BIRD or BIM controlled solenoid, the vehicle’s
charging system will also charge the house batteries if
parameters are met.
If the battery boost switch is required to
start the engine on a regular basis, ask your
dealer to check the chassis batteries and
charging system. 2019 and newer diesel
pusher coaches may have a dual position
battery boost switch. This simply allows
the chassis battery to be boosted from the
house battery bank or the house battery
bank boosted from the chassis battery,
allowing the solenoid to operate from either
source that has power to engage the boost
solenoid. Once a click is heard, the solenoid
has been energized and the battery voltage
will be able to flow from the battery bank
with the higher voltage to the battery bank
with the lower voltage.
This article provides the Newmar-recommended step-by-
step instructions for operating the battery boost switch.
The Battery Boost switch is located on the dash and,
when pressed, momentarily connects the house
batteries to the chassis batteries via the solenoid. This
allows the chassis batteries to obtain power from the
house batteries to assist in starting the engine.
If the chassis batteries cannot turn the engine over, hold
down the Battery Boost switch and attempt ignition.
By using the Battery Boost switch while trying to start
the chassis engine, the house battery bank supplies
a battery voltage boost to the chassis batteries if the
house battery battery bank voltage is higher than the
chassis battery bank.
Battery Boost Switch Overview
The inverter charger will automatically charge the coach
batteries when the coach is connected to a 120 volt
outside power source or with the generator running. The
chassis batteries are isolated from the coach batteries;
however, when certain parameters are met, the BIRD or
BIM will activate and allow charge to the chassis battery.
This prevents the chassis batteries from being drained
by the interior 12 volt equipment, allowing ample voltage
for engine ignition.
To operate the battery disconnect:
1. Press up on the rocker switch
to turn on the disconnect and
reconnect the batteries. This
will make the 12 volt system
ready for use. When the battery
disconnect is turned on, the
indicator light will illuminate.
2. Press down on the rocker
switch to turn off the battery
disconnect and disconnect the
batteries. When the battery
disconnect is turned off, the indicator light will also
turn off.
This article provides information about the battery
disconnect switch installed in a gas coach.
The House Battery Disconnect Switch is used to control
the disconnect relay connected to the battery bank and is
typically located in the front overhead control panel. This
switch disconnects most loads when placing the coach
in storage or when the coach is not in use. This is done
to prevent the coach batteries from being drained during
storage.
Not all loads are disconnected, and, depending on the
coach and its options, some systems may have memory
circuits purposely not wired to the disconnect solenoid,
including, but not limited to, the LP detector (if equipped),
driver memory controls, and other memory-based
features.
Some switches have a shield on the sides to help prevent
accidental battery shutdown when trying to the operate
the baggage door lock switch.
House Battery Disconnect Overview for Gas Coaches
Summary of Contents for Bay Star 2022
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