61
© Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc., R00
Engine Generator
Your vehicle will have all the electricity you can use driving down the road because the engine generator is producing electrical power. However,
once stopped, and particularly after sunset when the solar panel is not producing electricity, turning off electrical items when not in use will make
the charge in your batteries last for a longer period of time.
The engine generator is mounted on the vehicle engine and is operated by idling the vehicle engine.
(Picture 61.1) If your coach batteries are low, simply start the vehicle engine and let it idle until the
batteries are sufficiently charged. Usually 30 minutes of idling are enough to restore moderately
depleted coach batteries to a useful level of charge. Your lithium modules must be in the on
position to receive a charge.
As with a conventional generator, always close the rear windows of the vehicle and turn off
the roof ventilation fan when the engine generator is charging the batteries to avoid exhaust
entering the vehicle's interior.
The engine generator is charging the coach batteries whenever the vehicle's engine is in operation
which means you are charging them as you drive.
(All Lithium Batteries must be in on position
to receive this charge)
,
*Note – While using the engine generator to charge your batteries, you should be aware of items that are running in the coach which may
be consuming more energy than is being replenished. You should sit and allow the underhood generator to charge the batteries for
optimal results. *
There is no required maintenance for the engine generator. Note, however, that your vehicle's serpentine belt (the belt which drives the vehicle's
alternator, water pump, power steering, etc.) will be different than the one for similar vehicles without the engine generator, so carrying a spare
belt may be prudent in case you have a serpentine belt failure while traveling.
NAPA belt number for Sprinter Roadtrek’s with the engine generator is 060523HD, and the belt dimensions are 13/16" x 52 7/8" or 20 mm x 1342
mm outside circumference.
Engine Generator.
Picture 61.1