House batteries not charging?

[Darel]

'98 Coach House 194RS (Dodge 3500 chassis).

Seems like the house batteries are not connected at all (which they may not be).

When I "test" I get no lights. With the engine running I get all lights, plus the same when the generator is running.

Generator will not even attempt to start unless the engine is running, but starts/runs fine with the V8 giving it a "jump".

When the gen is running, I have full functionality on everything. If the generator shuts down everything shuts down with it. So, I don't think the issue is with the generator.

With the engine running and the isolator switch on, I have all the 12v stuff working.

Bottom line, it seems like my house batts are basically not connected at all. Not taking a charge nor providing juice.

The reason I am here asking this is because I have a bigger issue with the tray itself. It's completely rusted in place and I have NO access to the batteries unless I can slide the tray out, which I can't. I can see that there are two batteries installed but I can't even see if they are connected.

It'll take me at least a full weekend just to figure out this battery tray problem. Trying to get ahead and figure out if I need to order two new batteries, OR, is there maybe a fusible link or breaker that only cuts off the batteries? I mean, for everything I can see they might not even be connected at all (very unlikely) but I could see there being a breaker or link inline with them.

Manual was no help.

Thanks,
Darel

[DaveBad]

I had the same problem with the battery tray when I first worked on my new-to-me used van. The batteries were shot. I sprayed penetrating oil all over the slides several times and little by little I was able to work the slides free.

[ChristyCappello]

I had the same problem. When I took it to the RV shop I was told that because it was a lead acid Battery there was no water in the battery. I’m having it replaced with a AGM.

[Pam G]

I owned a '98 Coach House several years ago and had the same problem with the rusty tray. A body shop was able to get it lubricated enough to free it up, but it was a reoccurring issue. I have a '99 Roadtrek now and had an issue 3-4 years ago when the coach battery wasn't getting charged. There's a circuit breaker between the battery and the isolator that was fried. The batteries on my Coach House were on the driver's side between the back tire and the bumper. The battery on the Roadtrek is basically the same place but inside the Roadtrek, underneath the twin bed. The circuit breaker is also underneath the bed about 2 feet away from the battery. Sounds like it might be more likely that your batteries are shot or not connected, but I thought I'd mention the breaker. In the case of my Roadtrek, something happened that both the alternator and the isolator had to be replaced. My mechanic didn't know about the circuit breaker though and replaced the battery instead. I found out about the breaker from this or another group.

[Darel]

Turned out it was just dead batteries. I pulled the tray out from underneath like a transmission, took the sliders off, modified it to fit larger batteries, and reinstalled with two new batteries and all is well. Thanks!

[asmith]

I have never been able to find an isolator switch on my American Cruiser. Where is yours?
Thanks.
Anita