Help with House Battery Location

[Shiba Inu]

Hi,

I am new to the RV world (just retired). I purchased a 2004 Elk Motors RV built on a Sprinter 3500 chassis. There was no owner's manual and the previous owner inherited it from his father in law and knew nothing about it. I am figuring things out as I am the farthest thing from an expert myself. I think I have found the house battery in the back underneath or close to being underneath the refrigerator. The bed is in the middle on this one. Sink, fridge and toilet in back. My question is does anyone know if I have to take the fridge out to check the house battery on this one or is there and easier way. It seems to be working fine but getting ready to take a life long planned trip out west and want to make sure. Also would you recommend adding a battery monitor? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

[rowiebowie]

Congrats on your new rv. Never heard of the brand, so getting a manual may be hard, but don't give up without a search.

Usually, coach batteries are mounted externally so that lead-acid gasses are not in the living area of the coach. Have you definitely ruled out the batteries are not in an outside compartment or underneath?

It is possible with sealed batteries (AGM or gell) to have them reside within the living area. If so, they would usually be mounted close to the main wiring area. If you have found a battery-disconnect switch, it's likely they are located nearby under a bed, seat, or behind a lower cabinet.

Just remember, there are shock hazards once you open things to get into this area. Be careful, unplug, and be safe around electrical components. Consult an expert if necessary. Just know a typical mechanic or electrician may not know the particulars of an rv electrical system since they are unique.

Good luck.

[Shiba Inu]

Thank you!!!

[Toyman]

You might want to confirm the make, Google doesn’t recognize the name Elk Motors. 2004 would have been a very early Sprinter conversion done in someone’s garage. Sprinter didn’t receive widespread North America exposure until marketed by Dodge/Freightliner in 2003.

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by Toyman

You might want to confirm the make, Google doesn’t recognize the name Elk Motors. 2004 would have been a very early Sprinter conversion done in someone’s garage. Sprinter didn’t receive widespread North America exposure until marketed by Dodge/Freightliner in 2003.

Toyman makes a great point about confirming the make. Some Class B owners will remove as much branding as they can so the Class B looks less like an RV. It could be possible that a dealer put their own branding on the RV later.

If you post photos someone here might recognize it.

Leisure Travel was the first well known brand to offer a Sprinter based Class B I think. Here's a link that lists other brands available back then: http://www.classbforum.com/forums/f5...-rvs-2594.html

[rowiebowie]

Check the driver's door stickers. Should be one for the chassis maker and one for the upfitter.

[Shiba Inu]

Thank you. I checked it is Elk Automotive.

[jmnelson@cloudnet.com]

I had a 2005 Leisure Way on a 2004 Sprinter and was having increasing electrical problems; finally my cabin battery, located below an access panel on the floor at the left rear would discharge overnight. Over several months, four Houston dealerships failed to find the problem. Stahman RV, Seguin TX, about 170 miles away, recommended by Leisure Way, found it immediately. All others cleverly failed even to trace the wiring and locate a never-serviced battery in a compartment under the passenger seat that had over many years corroded to the point of completely shorting out the cabin battery system. Corroded beyond recovery, they cleaned out the compartment, disconnected the wiring, and I did just find on one cabin battery.

Might be a long shot, but might help some in similar circumstances.

[brianm142@hotmail.com]

Congratulations! You may find it here:
Elk Automotive Inc
3012 Mobile Dr
Elkhart, IN 46514
Phone: (574) 264-0768
Fax: (574) 264-0419
View Website
Located in Elkhart County

[WilmaKerr]

In my Roadtrek I found one of the 2 batteries behind the passenger side back wheel, had to take of a panel behind the tire and slide out the batterie for testing. Need water..

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by Shiba Inu

...............My question is does anyone know if I have to take the fridge out to check the house battery on this one or is there and easier way. ..............

It seems very unlikely that you'd have to take the fridge out.

Access to the battery might be from underneath the van though. If you have a digital camera you could hold it under the area and take a bunch of photos and then look at them on your computer to see how it is mounted.

Elk Automotive Inc.'s website looks to have disappeared around the end of 2004. They offered 3 well equipped Sprinter RV models; front, mid or rear bath. There was even a Vacuum Cleaner listed under the Standard Package!

Standard Package:
Interior:
Infinity Leather Driver & Passenger Seats
Engine Cover w/ Drink Console
Carpeted Floor Mats
Deluxe Overhead Console
Cockpit Privacy Curtain
Suburban Dual Burner Stove
AC/DC Refrigerator
Microwave Oven
Smoke / Carbon Dioxide Monitor
12v Demand Water Pump
LP Gas Detector
Power Roof Vent
System Monitor
Shower - Wand, Flexible Hose & Curtain
Sealand Toilet
Wood Bathroom Door
12v Light
Hot Water Heater 110 / LP 6 Gallon
15 Gallon Fresh Water Tank
15 Gallon Holding Tank (Gray Water) with Valve
15 in LCD Flat Screen Flexvision
Audiovox AM/FM/CD Radio
Flexvision DVD Player
Flexvision VCP
TV / Radio Speaker Selector Switch
Game Master Audio/Video Panel
TV/ Radio Headphone Jack
(3) Three Switch Power Panel
(2) Two Stereo Speakers
Convertible Dinette / Sleeper
Removeable Table
Opening Privacy Bay Windows w/ Screen
Pleated Shades
Fabric Covered Valances w/ Indirect Lighting
Courtesy Floor Lights
Overhaad Cabinets
Audiovox Vacuum Cleaner
16,000 BTU Suburban Forced Air Furnace
Pre- Wired for Roof Mount A/C
12v and 110v
12v Lighting Throughout
(2) Two Interior 110v Outlets
25 ft. Power Cord
45 Amp Power Converter
120 Watt Power Inverter
Coffee Pot

Exterior:
Exterior City Water Hookup
Frame Mounted 5.5 Gallon LPG Tank
(1) Exterior 110v Outlet
Shoreline Exterior Power Inlet
GTC Paint & Graphics
Runningboard & Ground Effects Package
Front Spoiler w/ Driving Lights
Chrome Wheel Simulators
12 ft. A&E; Awning
Patio Lights
TV Antenna

Additional Options
Driver's Seat Power Pedestal
Driver's Seat Comfort Package #1
Driver's Seat Comfort Package #2
Passenger Seat Power Pedestal
Passenger's Seat Comfort Package #1
Passenger's Seat Comfort Package #2
Onan 2.5 watt Generator (Electric/LP)
Roof Mount A/C 9,000 BTU
Overhead Console Entertainment Center
Rear View Back-up Camera
Compass & Exterior Temperature Gauge

RearIntView.jpg