Hi. Thought I would take a moment to introduce myself. Like most of you, we began the camping lifestyle sleeping in the bed of a truck then moved to a tent. Soon after, we moved to an old camper. With the kids, we moved to an old fixer upper trailer and had a ton of fun. With the kids, their friends and the dogs, we moved to a 32 travel trailer and that lasted us till the kids were all grown and gone. Since it was just my wife and I now, we stepped up to a Lance camper with 2 slides and thought we were set.......till our age creeped in. One knee replacement for me and a bad back for my wife of 35 years, it was clear that the camper was not an option. Soooo, here we go, we decided to pursue a Class A since we had never done one.On Monday we ended up picking up a nice 2001 31' Rexhall Aerbus on a F53 chassis. Seems to be really well kept and well optioned. For the week we've had it I've been trying to gain a better understanding on how the electrical system works as these darn things with the Chassis elec, Coach elec, 120V elec and 12V elec get really complicated.So far this week all I've accomplished is new Toyo 16 ply 19.5's on the front and back axles and greasing the Kwikee steps as they were sticky.Can't wait for the weekend to really get to tinker with it.

Excellent! Sounds like a great coach wishing you a wonderful season.

Here is a link to "the 12 volt side of life". It sheds a lot of light on the RV electrical system. It is really not that complicated. Do you know if you have an inverter? The inverter changes 12 volt DC to 110 volt AC and you can run a few 110 items like a TV from your Coach/or house batteries. Let us know after you read 12 v side of life if you have any questions and you will get many answers from the forum. Don't ask to many subjects at a time, just one or two at a time and you will get more answers. Then ask a couple more later. Good luck. Get a good multimeter to make your measurements instead of guessing if you have a good charged battery, first place to start, you need a fully charged battery.Here is the link to 12 volt of life.`12 volt side of life

Hope you enjoy the RV! Have fun during your travels!

Always use only distilled water to keep the batteries to the ring. Mine are 19 years old and still good. They are Interstates. Then remember your coach has more outlets that draw power than power. That means you will have to reset circuit breakers if you overload the electrical system by drawing more than what is available. Also understand that HVAC systems require more AMPS to start up than they do after they get going. The generators need time to build up Amperage so wait a few minutes before turning on HVAC units, and turn one on then the other if you have more than one. Parks that you plug into power at also do not deliver Amperage at 30 or 50 just because they say that on outlet. The power is subject to the condition of the power on the line and at the plug in prongs and the circuit breakers both at the power plug in and throughout your RV, as the breakers oxidize and need replacement due to the spark and heat melting the metal. Ground wires on 12 volt systems are also constant problems due to weathering and road vibration loosening the contact points where the ground is connected. Also use the power that has the highest Amps for electric heaters which many use to conserve propane. Then the propane powered units are lite by 12 volt and are not going to lite if 12 volt system is not at 12 volt due to unrecharged battery. Then remember the generator will not run if you have less than a quarter tank of gasoline in the tank. That's to prevent you from running out of fuel for travel to the next fuel stop. So filling up before stopping for a long stay is smart. Then generators will not run if the oil pressure is not high, due to low oil level or leaking oil pressure sensor. Have fun in you new A.

Hi everyone, new to the Class A world | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Jrork
Explorer
Mar 13, 2015
I'm having a ball with this thing! So far, I've installed a new stereo system, a ScanGauge II that is reading my trans and water temps (as well as rpm and voltage). Pulled the power steps apart and cleaned, lubed and painted them. Next up is a wireless back up camera so I can watch the boat when we tow it.

Still a lot to learn. Still not sure I understand the electrical system. Went out this morning and the coach batteries were dead. I don't think I left anything on so if I indeed didnt, I must have a drain somewhere. Also, the "store" switch doesnt seem to be operating like I thought it should so I need to be cautious of leaving it plugged in so I don't ruin the coach batteries.

With all the said, I love it and our first trip is coming up next weekend
Travelon
Explorer
Mar 03, 2015
Jrork wrote:
Silverdale is across the sound from Seattle between Bremerton and Poulsbo.

Be sure to honk your horn and give a wave to the Sewer Rat when driving around town. ;) He is my BIL.

Travelon
jsmart
Explorer
Mar 03, 2015
Welcome to the forum and to class A rv'ing. There's lots of places to winter camp in the Northwest, and since we're having a very mild winter here, should be able to get some rv time in. again, welcome and enjoy.
bigred1cav
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
Got it I must have been there.

Jrork wrote:
Thanks again guys. I had a chance to play with it and get a better understanding of some of the switches and what each does. I love this thing. The fit and finish is so nice. Installed a new stereo system in it as the one that was in it was the original am/fm/cassette unit. Definately going to try to track down a wiring schematic from Rexhall. It has a Intellitec EMS and I need to figure out exactly what that does.

BigRed, Silverdale is across the sound from Seattle between Bremerton and Poulsbo.

Thanks again guys
Jrork
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
Thanks again guys. I had a chance to play with it and get a better understanding of some of the switches and what each does. I love this thing. The fit and finish is so nice. Installed a new stereo system in it as the one that was in it was the original am/fm/cassette unit. Definately going to try to track down a wiring schematic from Rexhall. It has a Intellitec EMS and I need to figure out exactly what that does.

BigRed, Silverdale is across the sound from Seattle between Bremerton and Poulsbo.

Thanks again guys
RayChez
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your motorhome. Since your coach is a gasoline motor home I do not believe it come with an inverter unless it was added later on.

Most of your lights will be DC. Some coaches will have a couple of AC powered lights. You probably have and AC/propane type refrigerator, and AC microwave oven, and AC television.

Your coach originally come with two house batteries and a chassis battery. If somebody did install a inverter, you can then convert from your house batteries DC to AC where you can watch TV without shore power connection.
You probably will have a propane/electric water heater.

You will like your class A coach. Now go out there and enjoy it.
rollingslow
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015
I love my rexhall. Well built solid units. You should be able to enjoy for years The electrical system isnt that bad if you can get a diagram
GTN_and_Catz
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015
Jrork,
Welcome. As you may already be aware - info on the Rexhall line is somewhat sparse but you'll still be able to glean a lot of info from the forum. We're still enjoying our Rexair and continue to find "interesting" things about each and every time we take it out. Retiring this year so now we'll be doing some serious tripping.
Gene
bigred1cav
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015
Where is Silverdale? I love coastal Washington. Fishing Cowlitz River etc.

Jrork wrote:
bigred1cav wrote:
Crock pot in sink with meal cooking will be ready when you stop for night.

THAT is brilliant!!! We may have to try that. :-)
Jrork
Explorer
Feb 27, 2015
bigred1cav wrote:
Crock pot in sink with meal cooking will be ready when you stop for night.

THAT is brilliant!!! We may have to try that. :-)