| The higher end Monaco coaches (Camelot and
above) have a Bi-directional Isolator Relay Delay (BIRD) module that, in
conjunction with the Big-Boy relay, provides a means of charging the
chassis batteries from the 110V charger while plugged in to shore power,
and also charging the house batteries from the alternator while driving.
The Diplomat does not have this system. As explained on the "Mods
and Enhancements" page, Monaco provides no way to keep the chassis
batteries charged while plugged into shore power. Hence the addition
of the Xantrex echo~charge on our coach. UPDATE: Beginning with model year 2008, Monaco has installed the BIRD module in the front run bay of some Diplomats, bypassing the IRD on the circuit board (shown below). On other coaches they have installed it at the owners request. The BIRD relay can be retro-fitted to earlier late model coaches as well. Hopefully, this may be an indication that future Monaco coaches may all have the bi-directional relay installed. Monaco does install on the lower end diesel coaches a means of charging the house batteries from the engine alternator while driving the coach. This function is handled by an Intelletic Isolator Relay Delay module located in the Front Run bay. Click here for a detailed description of how this module works. |
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| The above electrical diagram is a section
of the diagram for the Front Run bay on the coach, where most of the
chassis fuses and relays are located. The Isolator Relay Delay (IRD)
module can be seen on this diagram. What it does is monitor the
voltage of the chassis 12v system. When it senses that the chassis
voltage is above 13.3 volts for more than approximately 12 seconds (which would normally be the case with the
engine and alternator running and the chassis 12V system not overloaded)
this module closes
the main isolator relay (the Auxiliary Start Relay) between the two
battery banks. This allows the house batteries to also have access to the
alternator, which is charging the chassis batteries while the engine is
running. When the ignition is turned off, the IRD ceases to
function, keeping the two battery banks isolated. Note that the output of this module goes through another relay (R11) before going to the Auxiliary Start Relay. R11 is normally closed allowing the module to do its job. But when the generator is running, current from the Generator Hour Meter is also routed to the coil of R11, which in turn opens the circuit and interrupts the current to the Auxiliary Start Relay, keeping the two battery banks isolated. This relay is there because with the generator running, the charger would normally be charging the house batteries and you would want them to be isolated from the chassis batteries and the alternator. |
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