Highland Ridge RV 2015, Owner'S Manual

Page: 60 / 120

SECTION 6 – ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HIGHLAND RIDGE TOWABLE
6-4
Auxiliary Battery (Customer Supplied)
Your RV has many 12-volt DC loads. When combined, their total is more than the
converter can produce. High demands for 12-volt power can be met by an
auxiliary battery for limited periods of time. The 12-volt DC electrical system is
designed for usage with a Group 27, deep cycle battery.
Precautions when working with batteries

If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and
water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at
least 20 minutes and get medical attention immediately.

Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of the battery.

Do not drop a metal tool on the battery. The resulting spark or short-circuit on
the battery or other electrical part may cause an explosion.

Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and
watches when working with a lead acid battery. Lead acid batteries produce
a short circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal causing a
severe burn.
Dry camping
Consider the charge condition of the auxiliary battery when dry camping. If the
auxiliary battery is not being recharged and power is being drawn from it, it will
eventually discharge. A battery will discharge at a faster rate as its energy level
becomes depleted. It is recommended you plan your electrical usage accordingly.
For accuracy, test the auxiliary battery voltage using a volt-ohm meter (customer
supplied).
A fully charged auxiliary battery will read 12.7 volts DC and 1.265 specific gravity
at 80°F (32°C). The auxiliary battery is considered discharged at 11.8 volts, and
dead at 11.65 volts.
When voltage drops below those levels, permanent damage may occur. Typically,
a deep cycle battery has an amp-hour rating of 75-100 amps.
If you run the furnace and refrigerator simultaneously, you will be using
approximately (12.0 + 3.0) 15.0 amps per hour. This does not include any 12-volt
lights, water pump or any other 12-volt component.
If the furnace and refrigerator in the above example operated constantly,
a 75 amp-hour battery would become fully discharged in 5 hours
(75ah / 15a = 5h).
The auxiliary battery should be installed in parallel with the battery in your tow
vehicle. When the 7-way trailer plug is connected, both batteries power the RV so
it is important not to discharge your tow vehicle battery below the level required to
start the engine. To prevent this from occurring, disconnect the 7-way trailer plug
or install a battery isolator. When the tow vehicle engine is operating with the RV
connected, the tow vehicle charging system will charge both batteries.