Community Forums

Jackm · 12-01-2005, 01:57 AM

I have a 2004 Brave on the Workhorse W20 chassis. My question has to do with the use of a 12 volt plug-in voltage monitor. When I plug the unit into the DC outlet in the dash, I assume that I am monitoring the motorhome's chassis battery. That being said, how might I find a way to use the device to monitor the coach batteries?

There are a few DC outlets in other places (one in the bedroom, one outside, and one in the passenger door) but I can't find a way to verify which battery feeds these other recepticles.

If I use the battery shut off switch by the entry stairs, does this only disconnect the coach batteries? If so, I could then see if these other recepticles go dead. Any suggestions would be great.

Jack.

Jackm · 12-01-2005, 01:57 AM

I have a 2004 Brave on the Workhorse W20 chassis. My question has to do with the use of a 12 volt plug-in voltage monitor. When I plug the unit into the DC outlet in the dash, I assume that I am monitoring the motorhome's chassis battery. That being said, how might I find a way to use the device to monitor the coach batteries?

There are a few DC outlets in other places (one in the bedroom, one outside, and one in the passenger door) but I can't find a way to verify which battery feeds these other recepticles.

If I use the battery shut off switch by the entry stairs, does this only disconnect the coach batteries? If so, I could then see if these other recepticles go dead. Any suggestions would be great.

Jack.

troth · 12-01-2005, 02:13 AM

Hey JackM, welcome to the forum!
The main coach power switch will disconnect only the house batteries. So if the switch is off, the house batteries will not get charged, nor will they discharge or let 12vdc out. So to answer your question, yes, you can turn the main coach switch off, then test for 12vdc at the outlet for the bedroom tv. I believe the outlet by the outside entertainment center, as well as that radio, is powered by the chassis (engine) battery... -it's one of the "parasitic" loads that drains your chassis battery after awhile.
If you plug your voltmeter into the dash lighter outlet, you are correct that it will read the chassis battery voltage.

Jackm · 12-01-2005, 08:22 AM

Thanks for the welcome and the fast reply. I'll give it a try. very grateful.

Jack

ohiorvers · 12-02-2005, 01:46 PM

The 12 volt outlet in my 2002 Adventurer is connected to the house batteries.

Use your voltmeter with the engine off, pluged into shore power & the converter on. Outlets connected to the house batteries will read about 13.7 volts. Outlets connected to the engine battery will be 12.6 volts or less if the engine hasn't been run for several hours.