I am brand new owner of a used Newmar london aire, it is in excellent shape i noticed one of the 6 vt battery busted , so i replaced all 4 , i taped and marked all the leads i thought and when i got done i have one large wire unmarked and dont know how to tell if it goes to positive or negative side, and lost on where it goes as after the wire goes over the frame it in a wad and i cant trace. I have 2 large cables hooked to positive and 1 to neg that grounds on the frame but have a same size cable not hooked up, i touched it to the negative and it arc'd so i was nervous about shorting something out. anyone knowledgeable enough to help?

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htmYou can read the info from the link above complete with wiring diagram for four 6v batteries or you can google something like "wiring four 6V RV batteries" and get more examples.

Thank you sir, i am going to have to take it to a pro. I am scared of hooking up wrong and frying something by reverse polarity , been a process already went to go fuel with tv antenna up and limb caught it and refrigator exhaust cover... some lessons learned the hard way...

You also might check and see what doesn't work, see if it's grounded. If so that may be your source.

If you are uncomfortable with hooking it up from a schematic, bring it to a pro. Or you could take a picture of it with a smartphone or camera and ask a RV mechanic. I've been in your shoes once and now I always take a photo before loosening the wires.

backhoemike wrote:Thank you sir, i am going to have to take it to a pro. I am scared of hooking up wrong and frying something by reverse polarity , been a process already went to go fuel with tv antenna up and limb caught it and refrigator exhaust cover... some lessons learned the hard way...Those are not soon forgotten. Pulled roof rack off our class C on first trip I drove wife crazy after that checking roof clearance.

wiring up 4 6 volt to coach on newmar | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

JimM68
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
You are dealing with the load or ground connections, rather than the interconnects of the battery bank?

You need a schematic. If you don't have one call newmar, hopefully they can email you one. This is not an area you want to screw up. Even if you do end up "calling the guy" it will be best to have the exact schematic for your coach onhand. "The guy" is not always an expert in the specific wiring of every possible make model and year of RV.
But he will be an expert at reading schematics.
katysdad
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
backhoemike wrote:
i touched it to the negative and it arc'd so i was nervous about shorting something out. anyone knowledgeable enough to help?

If you are sure the other 2 are Pos cables, and the other is to frame it should be the neg to inverter if so equipped. One large pos and one large neg go directly to the inverter. They do give quite an arc when reconnected.
Like Wallnm said I have not seen a Newmar without a diagram on the battery tray. On units without diagrams I will draw one on the inside of the compartment door with a permanent marker.
wallynm
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
Our DSDP has a diagram om the leading edge of the battery pull out tray.
Sully2
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
Here ya go partner...for 4 6v batteries do as follows...

for 2 6 volt batteries so ...
backhoemike
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
Thank for the help, I got out and tested it this morning and grounded the fluke meter to the frame and touched the cable not hooked to any battery and got 12.53 volts and I have all the power killed to the chassis and ignition any thoughts? would that go to positive or negative?
Executive45
Explorer III
Jan 27, 2014
If you're unsure, your best bet is to ask a pro...A PRO is NOT a 16yr old kid at AutoZone. I'd call a mobile mechanic....Dennis
BobandShaz
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
backhoemike wrote:
Thank you sir, i am going to have to take it to a pro. I am scared of hooking up wrong and frying something by reverse polarity , been a process already went to go fuel with tv antenna up and limb caught it and refrigator exhaust
cover... some lessons learned the hard way...

Those are not soon forgotten. Pulled roof rack off our class C on first trip I drove wife crazy after that checking roof clearance.
dverstra
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
If you are uncomfortable with hooking it up from a schematic, bring it to a pro. Or you could take a picture of it with a smartphone or camera and ask a RV mechanic. I've been in your shoes once and now I always take a photo before loosening the wires.
Tinstar
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
You also might check and see what doesn't work, see if it's grounded. If so that may be your source.
backhoemike
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
Thank you sir, i am going to have to take it to a pro. I am scared of hooking up wrong and frying something by reverse polarity , been a process already went to go fuel with tv antenna up and limb caught it and refrigator exhaust
cover... some lessons learned the hard way...