Forum Discussion

ponytail_mom's avatar
ponytail_mom
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015

Can jumping the chassis battery ruin anything?

Hello RVers,

My apologies for the newbie question. I just inherited an RV, a 2009 Simba Safari. When I went to start the beauty, the engine would not turn over. I jumped it with my portable charger. It started instantly.

But then I noticed the electric car seat and the radio were not getting power. They didn't work, although everything else (lights, turn signals, etc) I drove it for gas and on the way back the turn signals stopped working.

Could I have damaged anything by jumping the chassis battery??

Any and all comments are appreciated. (And I'm enrolled in a class to understand my electrical systems better through good Sam!!)

Cristina
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Mar 18, 2015
    I was hoping the other forum participants would add their comments to my recipes for electronic protection devices but they didn't. sorry for being so technical, but my comments are many times aimed at the general forum participants and one person may ask a question and many others have that question in mind plus others and I try and address everything in my answers. just about everything I write needs elaboration and I hope that others will jump in and help out and do some elaboration which includes questions and how to do things so if that isn't present then my contribution can be rather elaborate and confusing.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Mar 18, 2015
    My guess is that you're starting battery is not fully charged that's why you're having problems with the power seat. When you check the batteries they should read around 12.6 12.7 volts if they are fully charged. To check the alternator start the engine and you should read about 14 V at the positive and negative terminals on the battery if the alternator is working properly. Good luck with your new MH.

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