FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
72
DASH FUSES
The dash fuse panel is located under the dash on the wall. A circuit board with blade type fuses and breakers
will be visible. The fuse and breaker locations are labeled below.
CHASSIS ALTERNATOR
The automotive chassis 12 volt system alternator supplies power to both the automotive systems as well as
any auxiliary battery and directly to the motor home living quarters while the vehicle’s motor is running.
The alternator compensates for electrical usage in the vehicle, the power drawn by the appliances, lights, fans
and other 12 volt powered items as well as the charging of the automotive and auxiliary batteries.
If the alternator isn’t keeping pace with the draw on the unit’s electrical system, while driving down the road, it
means you’re working in a negative mode: more power is being used than the unit is putting out.
This means that you are taking power out of the batteries. If you draw too much power from the batteries there
may not be enough power left in the battery to start the motor home or run any of the appliances when you
stop for a break or for the night.
The alternator will charge at a higher rate right after the vehicle’s been started, replacing the power used to
start the vehicle, but the charging should quickly go back to “normal” and hold its own even when you turn on
lights or appliances.
When stopped at a campsite that allows you use of the shoreline, the 120 volt electrical system will recharge
your auxiliary battery.
Under heavy usage in warm weather, check the fluid level of those batteries that require attention to fluids quite
often. Low battery fluid level is very harmful to the battery’s longevity.
If the alternator shows a discharge while the motor is running, turn off appliances and lights to see if a charge
comes on or if the alternator indicates “neutral”. Then apply a drain on the system to see if a discharge returns.
If a discharge persists, contact your dealer.
