battery/external power configuration?

[padraig1066]

Not having an owner's manual yet (ordering one), and being completely new to the motor home thing, some of this stuff is brand spanking new to me.

One thing that's making me go "what the heck??" is the air units. I have an '86 Elandan, with two roof units. The switch to go between them is on the side of the dining area seat. Switching it back and forth works, and the air units work as well (although neither pull down the moisture level inside the way I think they should, so they're probably needing some attention). My question is semi-related to this.

I can run either unit for a while, and it'll run the fan, the compressor will kick on, and it'll cool (somewhat). But after a few minutes, the little red light labeled "low power" comes on (control panel on each air unit). And then the compressor kicks off.

To my uninformed mind, this looks like the units are running on a power supply that's running low. Is that the case?

Also, I have two batteries in compartments behind each of the driver's compartment seats. I presume one is to start the generator. What's the other one for?

Sorry to sound like such a moron, but all this stuff is new to me. I understand the older TT systems just fine, but this newfangled fancy stuff is making my head spin.

Thanks for any comments!

[JackHammr']

Originally Posted by padraig1066

Not having an owner's manual yet (ordering one), and being completely new to the motor home thing, some of this stuff is brand spanking new to me.

One thing that's making me go "what the heck??" is the air units. I have an '86 Elandan, with two roof units. The switch to go between them is on the side of the dining area seat. Switching it back and forth works, and the air units work as well (although neither pull down the moisture level inside the way I think they should, so they're probably needing some attention). My question is semi-related to this.

I can run either unit for a while, and it'll run the fan, the compressor will kick on, and it'll cool (somewhat). But after a few minutes, the little red light labeled "low power" comes on (control panel on each air unit). And then the compressor kicks off.

Is this without the genset running ?? Sounds like you're running off the coach batteries perhaps ??

To my uninformed mind, this looks like the units are running on a power supply that's running low. Is that the case?

Also, I have two batteries in compartments behind each of the driver's compartment seats. I presume one is to start the generator. What's the other one for?

You have two "sets" of batteries .. You have one battery ( most likely one ) for the engine , and another "set" of between one and who knows how many , most likely two batteries that run the coach stuff when you dont have shore power or genset running

Sorry to sound like such a moron, but all this stuff is new to me. I understand the older TT systems just fine, but this newfangled fancy stuff is making my head spin.

Thanks for any comments!

Yup NP

[wa8yxm]

Well, most motor homes have two battery banks, some have 3.

One is the "Main" or chassis battery, this battery is for the "Truck" part of the motor home, starts the engine that propells you down the road, runs headlights, marker lights, dash air, and radio and other "Vehicle" systems.. May or may not run steps and/or start the generator depending on who made the house.

The second is the AUX or House battery.. it runs the lights inside the house, water pump, control power for fridge, water heater, air conditoner, powers the furnace, that kind of stuff.

Again steps and generator may run off this battery, depending on who built your rig.. Often there is a "EMERGENCY START" or "AUX START" button on the dash,, ALlows you to "Jump start" the chassis off the house if needed.

The optional 3rd battery bank just starts the generator, only a few Motor homes have this..

In my case I added a bank that runs an inverter.. That's all, one inverter, one fan, all that's hooked to it, Switches let me switch it over to the house if needed though. or house to inverter)

Your A/C issues (low power) are beyond what I can deal with long-distance since I do not understand a low-power light on an A/C. never seen one (Don't mean they don't exist, just means I have not seen one) Wondering if that light is on something else (Battery/inverter monitor for example) If ou are running air conditioners on battery power... Well.. I'd expect a low power light and fast.

There are two books you can pick up at RV stores

one is called: The RV Book, and the other is, as I recall: The RV Owner's Handbook.

Both are "Generic" owner's manuals. describe many systems, and in some cases do a better job than the genuine owner's manual. Describe maintenance and troubleshooting.

These books, unlike the genuine owners manuals, were written by RVers