Do the batteries in the RV charge when plugged into shore power or is there a threat of running battery dead using lights over several days? Also since I plan to use only full hookup campgrounds, do I need a generator? Mine needs repair and wondered if it was necessary.ThanksButch

Batteries do charge when plugged into shore power on most recent RVs. Older RVs 70's and earlier would require a charger for the batteries.With hook ups you won't need a generator.

Have driven a p/u with tt for 7 years and just moved into a class c, which does have o/b gen. I carried a Honda 2000i and really used it very sparingly considering what I paid for it, but when I did use it, I loved it. gotta float your own boat. They do come in handy.

Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

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14 Replies

Wijames
Explorer
Mar 28, 2015
smkettner wrote:
Wijames wrote:
tenbear wrote:
Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

I guess I'm going to have to get someone to look at my system. I have two batteries but the man who sold it to me said one was for the engine starting and the other was for the generator. Nothing about a "House" battery. I have a lot to learn!By the way, how do I add the Good Sam membership logo to my forum account? I joined today at Camping World.
Generator is probably started with the 'house' battery. If you are not plugged in and not running the generator the 'house' battery will run the 12v items such as lights. This 'chassis' battery starts the main engine to get you on the road.
Thanks, that clears up a lot.

If you used the same email the logo should pop up in a couple days.
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 27, 2015
Wijames wrote:
tenbear wrote:
Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

I guess I'm going to have to get someone to look at my system. I have two batteries but the man who sold it to me said one was for the engine starting and the other was for the generator. Nothing about a "House" battery. I have a lot to learn!By the way, how do I add the Good Sam membership logo to my forum account? I joined today at Camping World.
Generator is probably started with the 'house' battery. If you are not plugged in and not running the generator the 'house' battery will run the 12v items such as lights. This 'chassis' battery starts the main engine to get you on the road.

If you used the same email the logo should pop up in a couple days.
tenbear
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
Wijames wrote:
tenbear wrote:
Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

I guess I'm going to have to get someone to look at my system. I have two batteries but the man who sold it to me said one was for the engine starting and the other was for the generator. Nothing about a "House" battery. I have a lot to learn!

The house battery is the battery that powers the live-in part of the RV. It is also called the coach battery. The generator usually powers the coach and puts out 120vac. This is converted to 12vdc to run most things in the coach and recharge the coach, or house, battery.
Wijames
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
tenbear wrote:
Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

I guess I'm going to have to get someone to look at my system. I have two batteries but the man who sold it to me said one was for the engine starting and the other was for the generator. Nothing about a "House" battery. I have a lot to learn!By the way, how do I add the Good Sam membership logo to my forum account? I joined today at Camping World.
Wijames
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
tenbear wrote:
Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

I guess I'm going to have to get someone to look at my system. I have two batteries but the man who sold it to me said one was for the engine starting and the other was for the generator. Nothing about a "House" battery. I have a lot to learn!
maillemaker
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

Depends on the RV. On my 1990 Winnebago Warrior, there is a 2-way switch on the dash. In order to charge the house battery from the engine, this switch must be engaged to the left. Also you must not engage it while the engine is running and the generator is running, or you will destroy the competing voltage regulators.

If the switch is flipped to the right, it gangs the house battery to the chassis battery for emergency start situations. It is momentary to the right and releases when you let go.

Steve
burlmart
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015
welcome

if your destination is far off and you pull into a rest stop to make lunch in mid summer, that generator will cool you and nuke your food.

many Cs have a factory BIRD relay that makes BOTH batteries charge when the generator is on or when on shore power.
mlts22
Explorer II
Mar 27, 2015
+1 on Trik-L-Start or Amp-L-Start. I'd also consider a Battery Minder because it not just keeps the battery charged without boiling them dry, but desulfates them as well.

One side note, the OP should check to see if the rig has a single state or multiple stage converter. If it is a single stage, it should be tossed and a multiple stage put in ASAP. This will go a long way in preserving battery life, since a single stage will boil out batteries over time.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Mar 27, 2015
tenbear wrote:
Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

I added a Trik-L-Start to mine to rectify this situation, after ruining a battery.
tenbear
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015
Just to clarify one thing, when plugged into shore power, the house battery is charged, the chassis battery is not. When running the engine both house and chassis batteries are charged.

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