Battery Questions
Couple of quick questions. 1) I have a battery disconnect (on/off switch) in my Class C. If I have the motorhome plugged up at the house, but that switch is off, will it still charge the batteries...
Forum Discussion
If you are plugged into "shore-power" and the disconnect switch is "off" the battery-bank is off-line and cannot be charged or power the 12v circuits.
However; my MH will still power the 12v circuit through the converter so the 12v lights will work. Pull the 120v shore-power plug and you will no longer have 12v circuits working. This means if the solenoid (solid state switches in my MH) for "disconnect" switch should fail you could still camp if you got an electric site.
Roy is correct about checking voltage at the battery terminals. The voltage will increase from actual battery voltage (12.7 or less) to a higher voltage showing battery(s) are connected being charged, and able to power the circuit.
As for the chassis (starting) battery, my MH does allow charging of the battery though another solenoid using the converter/charger when plugged in. Not all MH's come set up this way. Confirmation is done by looking for increase in voltage with the meter at the starting battery terminals.
However; my MH will still power the 12v circuit through the converter so the 12v lights will work. Pull the 120v shore-power plug and you will no longer have 12v circuits working. This means if the solenoid (solid state switches in my MH) for "disconnect" switch should fail you could still camp if you got an electric site.
Roy is correct about checking voltage at the battery terminals. The voltage will increase from actual battery voltage (12.7 or less) to a higher voltage showing battery(s) are connected being charged, and able to power the circuit.
As for the chassis (starting) battery, my MH does allow charging of the battery though another solenoid using the converter/charger when plugged in. Not all MH's come set up this way. Confirmation is done by looking for increase in voltage with the meter at the starting battery terminals.
