
GENERATOR
When shore power is unavailable, the generator takes mechanical energy and converts it into alternating current to
supply 120 volts to the coach and charge the coach's house via the converter or inverter/converter and the chassis
batteries via BIRD, BIM, or charge bridge.
The generator is typically located in the front of the unit between the frame rails on diesel coaches. On gas units, the
generator may be located anywhere between the mid and rear section of the coach. Generators can be powered by gas,
liquid propane, or diesel fuel.
CONVERTER AND INVERTER/CONVERTER COMBINATION
All Newmar coaches are equipped with a converter or inverter/converter combination. A converter transforms alternating
current or shore line power 120 Volts to low-voltage direct current to provide power to the coach's 12 Volt house and
chassis batteries. On the other hand, an inverter transforms direct current to alternating current to provide power to
specified appliances and entertainment systems.
SOLAR PANEL
Some Newmar units are equipped with a 10 Watt solar panel wired to the chassis batteries. Prior models may have a
five or 10 Watt solar panel and may be wired to the chassis-side KIB panel.
BATTERIES
Please refer to the Battery Basics article for more information.
POWER DISTRIBUTION
BATTERY DISCONNECT
Newmar uses an Intellitec disconnect relay connected to the battery
bank to disconnect certain loads when placing the coach in storage.
Keep in mind that not all loads are disconnected. This is very
important to remember when a coach is put into storage and is not
plugged into shore power. Before placing the battery disconnect in
the "off" position, make sure the inverter (if equipped) is turned off.
When an older coach is stored while plugged into shore power, do
not use the battery disconnect. If the battery disconnect is used, the
chassis batteries will not receive a charge from the converter or
inverter/converter combination. This is due to the coach battery wire
being disconnected, meaning the BIM or the BIRD will not engage.
The Bay Star Sport has a manual rotary key switch to disconnect
power, which is located in the overhead above the entry door. Fifth
wheel products also used a manual rotary disconnect switch, which
were normally located in the bathroom. All other coaches have a
single lighted switch located in the front overhead that turns off the
house voltage.
IMPORTANT
When the battery disconnect is 'off', meaning you have disconnected components from the batteries, there
are still some loads on the batteries connected to the hot side of the Battery Disconnect Relay. Some of these
loads may be Radio Memory, Entry Steps, and LP Detector. These will draw from the batteries, even when the
disconnect is 'off'. Pull the fuse for each of the 'HOT' circuits to stop the batteries from being drained.
To learn more, visit the Battery Disconnect home page in Newgle.
© 2018 Copyright Newmar Corporation. All rights reserved. For the most up-to-date version of this content, and for more product-specific information, please refer to Newgle.
42