Bought an old Class C - Electrical question?
Hi all- A friend of mine and I just bought an old 1978 Dodge Midas Class C motorhome to use on a property she just bought until the home is built. To be honest, the thing is a bit of a mess, but we'r...
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Lotsa guesswork going on.The converter charger uses 120 volts AC provided by the shore cable or by the RV generator. The converter charger is like a trickle charger for car batteries to keep them charged when car is not being driven. If batteries are shot, they might not charge up even if the converter/charger is working. If the cable connectors to the batteries are corroded and not making good connection, batteries might not charge. The interior lights work off 12 volts DC from the batteries. If the converter charger is working and trying to charge dead batteries, the interior lights will work because they are connected to the batteries and using 12 volts DC that is trying to charge the batteries. When you disconnect the house batteries from the converter/charger via the switch, the lights draw what little energy has gone into the batteries then dim out. The switch in the battery compartment may be a way of disconnecting the batteries from all alarms and appliance controls that continue to draw 12 volts dc power. Disconnecting charged house batteries, when you are not using the RV, will help keep them charged and ready for use when you do want to use the RV.
The engine's alternator is connected to charge the starting battery and the house batteries only while the engine is running or when you are driving. The alternator is like a fast charger and is expected to do most of the charging of the house batteries while driving. When you stop to camp and are plugged into shore power,the converter will replace most of the power you use while camping. If you are camping without being plugged into shore power and don't run the engine and charge via the alternator, your house batteries may last for three days if they are in new condition and fully charged to begin with.
A fully charged house battery in good condition should read about 13.6 volts. A discharged battery will read about 12 volts with no lights on. When being charged by the converter/charger they should read about 13 volts. When the engine is running and batteries are being charged by the alternator, they should read around 14 volts.
Knowing how the converter/charger, house batteries, battery cable connections, engine alternator, all work together to supply you with 12 volt DC power is important to any RV user. Knowing how appliances use 12 volt DC power plus 120 volt AC power to work the roof AC unit, the fridge, and microwave is also important. The fridge, furnace, cooktop and oven use propane gas.
Knowing how to troubleshoot, maintain, and do simple repairs is also important to RV users when you are on the road or camped You need a good tool kit, volt/ohmeter, and supplies like holding tank deodorizers, cleaners, lubricants, duct tape,electrical tape, bailing wire, spare fuzes, fastners and glue. All of this is especially important if you buy and old RV.
The engine's alternator is connected to charge the starting battery and the house batteries only while the engine is running or when you are driving. The alternator is like a fast charger and is expected to do most of the charging of the house batteries while driving. When you stop to camp and are plugged into shore power,the converter will replace most of the power you use while camping. If you are camping without being plugged into shore power and don't run the engine and charge via the alternator, your house batteries may last for three days if they are in new condition and fully charged to begin with.
A fully charged house battery in good condition should read about 13.6 volts. A discharged battery will read about 12 volts with no lights on. When being charged by the converter/charger they should read about 13 volts. When the engine is running and batteries are being charged by the alternator, they should read around 14 volts.
Knowing how the converter/charger, house batteries, battery cable connections, engine alternator, all work together to supply you with 12 volt DC power is important to any RV user. Knowing how appliances use 12 volt DC power plus 120 volt AC power to work the roof AC unit, the fridge, and microwave is also important. The fridge, furnace, cooktop and oven use propane gas.
Knowing how to troubleshoot, maintain, and do simple repairs is also important to RV users when you are on the road or camped You need a good tool kit, volt/ohmeter, and supplies like holding tank deodorizers, cleaners, lubricants, duct tape,electrical tape, bailing wire, spare fuzes, fastners and glue. All of this is especially important if you buy and old RV.
