Chinook RV

We are new Chinook owners, having just purchased a 2004 Premier. We have put the house batteries in store and disconnected the chassis battery while we load the Chinook for the first time. How is it that the steps still go in and out each time we open and close the entry door? Thanks for any insight to the workings of the steps.

Bob n Barb

Hi Bob n Barb. Welcome to Chinook ownership and to the forum! Congrats on your new Premier.

From what I understand, "Store" is not like a full/real battery switch. Rather, it works through wiring on the LVD, and leaves a few things on or at least able to be turned on. I think the detectors perhaps, the step, and someone recently said also the entry light(s). I have rewired my '99 Concourse in a more traditional boat style (what I'm used to), so I can't test it now -- but this is from reading and a bit of testing I did before changing things around.

Welcome Bob and Barb. I am new also.

If you didn't know already at the back door on the control panel is a switch that turns on/off the automatic function of the step with the rear door.

Steve

BobNBarb wrote:We are new Chinook owners, having just purchased a 2004 Premier. We have put the house batteries in store and disconnected the chassis battery while we load the Chinook for the first time. How is it that the steps still go in and out each time we open and close the entry door? Thanks for any insight to the workings of the steps.

Bob n Barb

By "chassis" battery I assume the truck battery under the hood of the truck? You can put the house batteries in store mode and still have the steps working from the van ("chassis") battery. As SMan mentioned the switch panel at the rear inside of the coach above the closet will need the step switch turned on for the steps to open and close with the door open/close (which requires the van battery).

Concourse

The van battery is disconnected with a blade battery disconnect. The step is still going in/out with opening/closing of door, so it must be as Blue Go suggested. We may put a disconnect switch on the house batteries so when in storage so as not to have a slow drain of batteries. In fact, when we first looked at the coach there was a blade battery disconnect on the house batteries. The dealer replaced the batteries for us but did not put the disconnect back on.


Bob N Barb