SECTION 9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
9-10
House Batteries
The house batteries supply current to 12-volt
equipment located in the living area of the coach.
This includes interior lights, range exhaust fan,
furnace fan, water pump, water level and holding
tank gauges, 110-volt generator starter, refrigera-
tor and bath roof vent fan. The house battery may
also be used to start the engine if the automotive
battery is dead. Refer to “Aux. Start Switch” in
Section 5.
The house batteries are automatically charged
by the engine alternator while the engine is run-
ning.
House Battery Storage
The batteries are also located in the battery
compartment with the chassis batteries. See
“Chassis Battery Storage” for access instruc-
tions.
BATTERY STORAGE AND
MAINTENANCE
Lead -acid type batteries are electro-chemical
devices for storing and releasing electrical
charge. As such, they are simply an electrical
reservoir, not an electrical source. As soon as
energy is removed from the battery, it should be
replaced by the engine alternator or the RV
converter system.
If a battery sits unused for 30 days or more,
especially during warm weather, it can develop a
deposit of sulfate crystals on the metal plates
inside the battery. This condition is called
‘sulfating’ and prevents the battery from either
releasing or accepting a charge. If this condition
occurs, the battery must be replaced.
If a battery does not contain at least 80%
charge during freezing temperatures, the elec-
trolyte can freeze and crack the battery case.
The two best defenses
against sulfating and
insufficient charge are to:
1. Turn off the Auxiliary Battery switch to
avoid parasitic discharge (the trickle dis-
charge caused by directly connected compo-
nents like LP gas detectors or digital clock
displays, etc.), and
2. Check the battery and recharge as necessary
at least once a month during long storage
periods. Turn the Aux. Batt. Switch off to
avoid electrical arcing when attaching or
detaching charger clamps.
NOTE: We do not recommend leaving the shore-
line plugged in continuously during
storage periods because the batteries
can lose electrolytic fluids and become
damaged from continuous charging
without periodic use or maintenance.
We recommend following regular bat-
tery inspection and maintenance,
especially in cold weather.
Further precautions are:
•
Remove the battery from the coach.
•
Store it in a cool place on a wooden or rubber
pad to inhibit conductive transfer.
•
Check the state of charge periodically to
avoid discharge or sulfating.
To ensure that the battery will always accept
and hold a charge, follow these simple mainte-
nance practices.
Lift Battery Tray Retainer Latches
California Proposition 65 Warn-
ing:
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds, chemicals known to
the state of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
WARNING