6-9
SECTION 6 –
ELECTRICAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM –
HOUSE 12-VOLT DC
The DC voltage system consists of the chassis
battery, the 12-volt house batteries, and the 12-
volt power converter.
Converter
See “Power Center.”
Chassis Battery
The chassis battery is used to operate the
engine starter and automotive accessories and
controls found on the instrument panel. The
slideout room systems and the electric step are
also connected to the chassis battery.
See your chassis manual for further
information on chassis batteries and chassis
electrical system.
House Batteries
House batteries are “deep-cycle” type
batteries specially designed for recreational
vehicle use. They will provide longer lasting
power than standard automotive starting batteries
and will withstand the frequent drain-and-
recharge cycles that occur under the demanding
conditions of a camping outing.
The house batteries supply power to 12-volt
equipment located in the living area of the
motorhome. This includes the following 12-volt
powered components (if equipped): interior 12-
volt lighting, range exhaust fan, propane furnace
fan, fresh water pump, systems monitor panel,
refrigerator, roof vent fans, and 120-volt
electrical generator starter.
The house batteries can also provide
emergency power to start the engine if the chassis
battery is discharged. (See “Battery Boost
Switch” in
Section 3 - Driving Your Motorhome
).
House batteries are automatically charged by
the chassis alternator while the engine is running.
BATTERY INFORMATION
Chassis Batteries
The chassis batteries operate the engine starter
and all automotive accessories and controls
found on the instrument panel. The leveling
jacks, slideout room system, and the electric step
are also connected to the chassis battery.
The battery Isolation Manager (BIM)
monitors the Battery Voltage of both the Chassis
and Coach Batteries over long periods of time. If
it senses a charging voltage, it connects the two
batteries together. If the charging system is
overburdened, the batteries will be isolated,
however, if the BIM sees a long term charging of
both batteries it will allow the batteries to remain
connected and allow the charging system to do its
job. Once the batteries have reached a Float
Charge state for one hour, the BIM will isolate
the batteries to prevent overcharging, and will
only reconnect the batteries for charging if one of
the Battery drops to approximately 80% charge,
and the other is being charged. If the batteries are
not being charged, BIM isolates the two batteries
to prevent an electrical draw in one system from
depleting the other battery.
If the house batteries are not being charged,
the chassis batteries will be isolated to prevent an
electrical draw on the house batteries from
depleting the chassis batteries.
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,
water pump, water level and holding tank gauges,
120-volt generator starter, refrigerator, and bath
roof vent fan. The house battery may also be used
to start the engine if the automotive battery is
discharged. (See “House/Coach Battery
Disconnect switch” or “Battery Boost switch” in
Section 3 - Driving Your Motorhome
).
The house batteries are automatically charged
by the chassis alternator while the engine is
running.
