Basic electrical questions
Just bought a Gulfstream Ultra 06. In addition to a plumbing question I posted, I need some help with basic electricity. 1) I have a Guardian RV generator and an Intelipower 9100 converter. Will...
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RV electrical systems are 12 volt, so put two 12 V batteries in parallel or two 6 volt ones in series. Be sure to get deep cycle batteries, which are designed for discharges below 50% unlike engine starting batteries. They start at about $80 at Costco and Walmart.
Our small MH recharges effectively from the engine so we have no need for a generator and we never plug in to shore power at campsites. Less than an hour of driving per day keeps the batteries nicely charged. We don't use any heavy loads like TV, microwave or coffee machine - they certainly require the generator. We often hear generators starting up in campsites in the early morning so someone's electric coffee pot will work and have had people apologize for the noise when they leave it running all day to keep the coffee hot. We use the propane stove to make coffee and keep it hot in a coffee butler thermos.
I found it necessary to have a basic voltmeter in order to know what is going on. With no charging going on, the voltage across the house battery will be something like 12 or 13 volts. Start the engine and if it is charging the house battery, the voltage will rise to around 14 volts. If it doesn't, try flipping the battery isolation switch, often located at the outside door.
Our small MH recharges effectively from the engine so we have no need for a generator and we never plug in to shore power at campsites. Less than an hour of driving per day keeps the batteries nicely charged. We don't use any heavy loads like TV, microwave or coffee machine - they certainly require the generator. We often hear generators starting up in campsites in the early morning so someone's electric coffee pot will work and have had people apologize for the noise when they leave it running all day to keep the coffee hot. We use the propane stove to make coffee and keep it hot in a coffee butler thermos.
I found it necessary to have a basic voltmeter in order to know what is going on. With no charging going on, the voltage across the house battery will be something like 12 or 13 volts. Start the engine and if it is charging the house battery, the voltage will rise to around 14 volts. If it doesn't, try flipping the battery isolation switch, often located at the outside door.
