Operating instructions
Electrical
Systems
Battery Disconnect (If Equipped)
Some accessories or equipment such
as
clocks,
radios or the refrigerator may draw small
amounts
of
current even when turned OFF. A
manual operated rotary switch disconnect sys-
tem allows you to disconnect either the chassis
batteries or the coach batteries or both.
Disconnecting the batteries will help reduce the
likelihood
of
battery discharge over long storage
periods. For your convenience, relay operated
disconnect circuits may be equipped with your
motor home. These circuits isolate selected elec-
trical systems from either the chassis or the
house batteries. Activating the relay(s) will pre-
vent battery discharge which may occur over
extended storage periods. During normal use
of
your motor home the relays must always be in
the
"on" position.
If you plan to store the motor home for an
extended period, position the disconnect
switch/es to
OFF. Remember to position the
switch/es to ON when you take the motor home
out
of
storage.
til
NOTE
I
When charging the batteries, the battery disconnect
switches must be
ON.
Battery Inspection
and
Care
WARNING
Do
not use the motor home when the chassis batter-
ies are disconnected. The power step will not operate
as designed if the chassis battery is disconnected. If
the step is not
in
the correct extended position,
you
may be injured if you step out
of
the motor home.
Check the external condition
of
the batteries
periodically. Look for cracks in the cover and
case. Check the vent plugs and replace any that
are cracked or broken. Keep the batteries clean.
Acid film and dirt on the battery top may permit
current to flow between the terminals and dis-
charge the battery.
08-2
To
clean the batteries:
1.
Be sure the vent caps are installed and tight.
2.
Wash the battery with a diluted solution
of
baking soda and water to neutralize any
acid present.
3. Flush with clean water. Foaming around
terminals or on top
of
the battery is normal
acid neutralization. Avoid getting the soda
solution in the battery.
4. Dry the cables and terminals.
5. Do not use grease on the bare metal inside
the cable terminals to prevent corrosion.
Grease is an insulator. Electricity will not
flow through it. A plastic battery terminal
spray will protect the terminals after you
have cleaned
S1rid
reinstalled them.
6.
Check the battery, including water level, at
least once a week. Keep the carrier and
hold down hardware clean and free
of
cor-
rosion and chemical accumulation.
WARNING
Before working
on
either electrical system shut OFF
the Automatic Generator Start System (AGS), gener-
ator, inverter, chassis engine and disconnect the
shore cord and negative terminals from the batteries.
If you work
on
the electrical systems with these sys-
tems
ON
or connected,
you
may be shocked, electro-
cuted, or severely burned.
Battery Charging
Both sets of batteries will be kept charged by the
chassis engine alternator and charging system
while you are driving. The DC power converter
will charge the chassis and house batteries when
plugged into l20-volt
AC
service or by the gener-
ator (if equipped).
If
the battety needs to be
charged from a different charging source, please
follow these safety guidelines:
• Leaving a charger connected to a battety for
an extended period
of
time can shorten bat-
tery life.
• Do not smoke near batteries being charged
or which have been recently charged. Please
note that batteries are being charged while