Heartland 2014 Bighorn, Owner'S Manual

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48 HEARTLAND Recreational Vehicles, LLC
WARNING
DO NOT SMOKE OR USE AN OPEN FLAME AROUND BATTERIES. AVOID
MAKING ELECTRICAL SPARKS NEAR BATTERIES. FUMES FROM THE
BATTERIES ARE COMBUSTIBLE.
The batteries should be removed and stored in a warm
place when not used in your vehicle for an extended
period of time (i.e. more than 60 days). Mark the cables,
positive and negative, for easy identification. Batteries
are not to be stored on concrete floors. The batteries
require periodic charging during storage. If the vehicle is
to be stored for a long period of time, it is recommended
that all of the batteries inside the unit be removed from
clocks, radios, smoke alarms, etc. This will prevent
unnecessary drain and corrosion of the batteries.
Battery Types and Charging
Only similar batteries should be connected together in
one bank if you choose to have more than one battery.
Do not connect old and new batteries, or wet and gel
cell batteries together. Deep-cycle batteries are usually
rated in Amp-hours, which is based on a 20-hour
discharge rate. Therefore, a 100 amp-hour battery can
deliver 5 amps for 20 hours. Deep-cycle batteries can
be discharged about 80% of capacity before damage
occurs. Shallow cycling (50-60% drain before recharge)
will result in much longer battery life.
To find out how long your batteries will last when
using various equipment in your coach, research the
amperage of the items in use, and use that number to
gauge what size amp-hour battery you think you need.
Keep in mind that you should recharge your batteries
when they are 50% discharged, so only half the amp-
hour rating is actually used.
Your battery will be charged slowly when the trailer
is hooked up to the tow vehicle by the tow vehicle’s
electrical system. The converter will also charge your
battery when the trailer is plugged into shore power.
Battery Disconnect Panel
On some models, this is done to
prevent the coach batteries from
being drained during storage.
It disconnects all the 12 volt
circuitry from the batteries.
When taking the unit out of
storage, turn to re-connect the
batteries. This will make the 12-
volt system ready for use.
Monitor Panel
Your vehicle has a monitor panel that can provide you
with important information about various systems on the
RV. This panel also houses the water pump switch.
This monitor panel will give you information including:
• How much potable (fresh) water remains.
• How full your black (sewage) tank is.
• How full your gray (waste water) tank is.
Note
THE MONITOR PANEL WILL GIVE FALSE
READINGS IF THE SENSORS IN THE HOLDING
TANKS ARE COVERED WITH DEBRIS. CLEAN
YOUR WASTE HOLDING TANKS FREQUENTLY
WITH APPROVED TREATMENTS.