Battery question

Get a digital multimeter and check for yourself, Every RV owner should have one and know how to use it.

Does the engine alternator charge the house batteries.
Well.. on motor homes it is supposed to.

How to tell if it does (The easy way)
Unplug. Turn on an inside light. .Note illilumination level
Start engine.. it may take a minute or two but does light suddenly get brighter? IF SO then YES. That simple no test gear needed.

IF Light does NOT get brighter.. Two posibilities
1 Some LED's won't (Option is the fantastic fab or max air fab will run faster)

Second if nothing changes within 3 minutes of starting engine.. PROBLEM exists seek help from someone familiar with shooting tribbles.

(Believe it or not I had to tell David Gerrold how he "Took a dump" on James T Kirk. he'd forgotten).

So, there ya have it! Polls show most, but maybe not all, do charge both battery banks while traveling. Most should but may not charge them either. So, in answer to your question, yours may or may not charge both battery banks while traveling. Thanks for your question....:B:B:B.....Dennis

mamaw56 wrote:
When you're traveling does the alternator charge the house batteries?
We have a 2001 Mountain High Coachworks Pinnacle. We were wondering if when we are driving the motorhome are the house batteries being charged by the alternator. Thought I’d elaborate since some were not understanding my question.

To make it easier to state it. 99 44/100 of motorhomes built in the past 40 years charge both battery banks. BUT, some, like the 1970/80/early90 Winne/Itasca motorhomes had a dash switch called Dual/MOM that HAD to be in the DUAL indent for the coach batteries to charge while driving. There are some (very few) that had this type system. MOST have an Automatic system that charges both battery banks. The main rule of thumb is, if yours IS NOT, there is a malfunction of the dual charging system and really needs to be fixed. Doug

crawford wrote:
I don't have a line but I did have a Winnebago 02 99 fleet wood and now a Georgetown 34 none did and need a kit.

Both Winnebago and the FR Georgetown DO charge both battery banks when driving. The fact that your 2 did NOT, just means your 2 motorhomes BOTH had a malfunction of the charging system. VERY RARE to have you own 2 that both had the same malfunction. The ONLY Class A motorhome that I am aware of that unbelievably did not charge both battery banks was the original Alfa motorhome(not the gold). After the first year Alfa changed the design to charge. Alfa never gave me a reason why they did that originally. Doug

In my case the engine does technically charge the house battery, but not significantly. I run the generator while driving if it really needs a charge.

Lwiddis wrote:
Yes, it provides some recharging.

Maybe, depending on how it is wired.

Lwiddis wrote:
Don’t depend on it to fully recharge a depleted battery. Solar is the answer...charges driving or sitting.

If you don't want to go solar ate least install a DC-DC battery charger.

Yes virtually all RVs are designed to have the house battery charging from the alternator. Trailers, fifth wheels, class A B C, ALL of them.

Good time to get out your voltmeter and verify the operation of the charging system. Engine off, not plugged in, the house battery s/b 12.2 to 12.7 volts. Start the engine and house battery voltage should pop up to 13 to 14 volts range. Post your results for best comments.

I don't have a line but I did have a Winnebago 02 99 fleet wood and now a Georgetown 34 none did and need a kit.

crawford wrote:

mamaw56 wrote:
When you're traveling does the alternator charge the house batteries?

3/4 of coach's haven't the means to do it that's why there are so many after markets kits out there for this purpose.

Please provide a link to a motorhome that does NOT charge both chassis and house batteries from the alternator.