3. Keep the battery clean. Corroded terminals make
poor contact. Battery sulfating occurs when the bat-
tery has been standing in a discharged condition
over a long period of time or when the battery has
been operated continually in a state of partial dis-
charge.
4. Check the outside condition of the battery. Look for
cracks in the case or vent plugs. If the case is
cracked, the battery must be replaced. If the vent
plugs are cracked, they must be replaced.
5. Watch for over-charging. Three ways to spot over-
charging are:
a. Active material on the vent cap (heavy deposit
of black lead-like material on the underside of
the vent cap).
b. Excessive use of water.
c. By testing voltage regulator output.
6. Make sure the battery hold downs and carrier are
kept clean and free of corrosion.
NOTE:
When removing a battery, disconnect the ground battery
clamp first. When installing a battery, always connect the
grounded battery clamp last. When a battery needs to be
replaced, make sure to replace it with a battery of the
same characteristics as the original equipment. Consult
your dealer for advice on battery replacement.
The battery disconnect switch is used to disconnect the
house battery during storage. If your battery disconnect
switch is a toggle switch, it must be in the ‘USE’ position.
If your switch is a rotary switch, it must be in the ‘ON’
position. If the switch is not in use or on, you will not have
power to your battery.
If your chassis battery is dead, you can start
the chassis engine by using the battery boost
switch (located on the dash, if equipped).
Hold the switch down while starting the
engine then release it when the engine
engages.
Battery Safety
W ARNING
Always shield your eyes when working near batter-
ies. Batteries can explode. Do not smoke or
expose battery to electric spark or flame. When
charging or discharging, batteries generate hydro-
gen. Hydrogen and air is a very explosive mixture.
W ARNING
Do not short across the battery terminals. The
spark could ignite the gases. Do not wear metal
jewelry or a watch when working on a battery.
DANGER
Disconnect the battery cable and the 120 volt
power cord before working on electrical system.
Do not reconnect the cables until all work has
been completed.
DANGER
Battery electrolyte is a corrosive, poisonous sulfu-
ric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, clothing or
any painted surface.
Battery Charging
The converter also operates as a battery charger when it
is connected to a 120 volt power source. If the battery is
below its full charge, the converter charger will begin
operation at a rate that reflects the level of discharge.
When the battery is again fully charged, the converter
charger drops its charging level back to a maintenance
level to keep the battery fully charged. Battery charging
is fully automated. When charging a battery remotely
(outside the RV), follow these safety precautions:
LIVING QUARTERS
33
