
Electrical System
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© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
Engine Generator
Engine generator
Driving down the road, you typically have all the electricity you
can use 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.
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine generator. The engine
generator is mounted on the vehicle engine and is operated by
idling the vehicle engine. 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. The length of time required to charge your batteries will
depend on many factors and may be longer than 30 minutes.
You must rev the engine to 2,500 RPM for 10 seconds to
start charging your batteries.
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. You will arrive at your camping destination with fully charged coach batteries.
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. The
NAPA belt number for long wheelbase Sprinter Roadtreks 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.