curiouser and curiouser...so after a break i stuck the hydrometer on the chassis battery: dead. Pulled it and dropped it off at auto store: dead cell and cannot hold a charge. Purchase suitable comparable battery, check with meter 12.60. i attach negative; upon securing positive, smoke appears and wiring harness is getting hot. disassembled quickly...internet search says the alternator may be bad. I presume the house batt and its systems operate independently of the chassis batt and its' systems??