We have a 2014 Sunseeker 3010DS, going on a 6 hrs trip tomorrow my House Batteries still have about 3/4 charge do I need to charge the House Batteries or will they charge as I keep driving on my trip going to Bullhead City, AZ. from San Diego, CA we last used the RV last weekend?

Most all mh charge their batteries, both engine and coach/house, while the engine is running.Have a good trip.Dusty

A good test is to use a MULTIMETER across the house battery terminals...Without shore power hooked up or the MH engine running measure the DC VOLTAGE at the battery terminals. It will read 12.6-7VDC if the batteries are fully charged.Then go start the MH engine. Measuring the DC VOLTAGE at the same battery terminals should jump to 13.6 or higher indicating they are being charged from the motor alternator system...You can get one of these very useful multimeter from LOWES-WALMART-AMAZON or any number of auto parts stores for $5 to $20 dollars...Looks like this google photo...Most of us rv'ers carry one of these multimeters in our RV tool box...Roy Ken

RoyB has said it all. Great advice.

Get familiar with how the truck alternator, converter charger, house batteries and auxiliary battery switch etc., work together in typical operation of RV's to charge the house batteries. Most of RV appliances have controls that operate on DC battery voltage. Learn how to keep battery connections clean and battery electrolyte levels above the plates and how to check voltage and charging of batteries with a simple digital voltmeter. It'll help prevent problems while you are camping. If batteries etc., are in good condition, you may have power while camped, and not connected to "shore power", for up to three days. The batteries charge quickly while you are driving, they charge slowly when connected to shore power. ( Exception, some modern converter/chargers may have a faster recharge mode when batteries are low.)

Hi,It is better for the longevity of the battery bank to keep it as near 100% state of charge as is possible. I would plug in if it is easy to do, and let the converter work. That will let you cool down the fridge on 120 volt power, too.

House Batteries | Good Sam Community

RoyB
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2015
A good test is to use a MULTIMETER across the house battery terminals...

Without shore power hooked up or the MH engine running measure the DC VOLTAGE at the battery terminals. It will read 12.6-7VDC if the batteries are fully charged.

Then go start the MH engine. Measuring the DC VOLTAGE at the same battery terminals should jump to 13.6 or higher indicating they are being charged from the motor alternator system...

You can get one of these very useful multimeter from LOWES-WALMART-AMAZON or any number of auto parts stores for $5 to $20 dollars...

Looks like this google photo...

Most of us rv'ers carry one of these multimeters in our RV tool box...

Roy Ken
Dusty_R
Explorer
Apr 09, 2015
Most all mh charge their batteries, both engine and coach/house, while the engine is running.
Have a good trip.

Dusty

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