Auxiliary Battery; Battery Inspection And Care; Battery Charging - Fleetwood Bounder 1987 Owner's Manual

connected to this system. The 12-volt power source
is a special deep-cycle 12-volt lead-acid storage bat-
tery located behind the front bumper. Twelve volt
power is also provided by an AC/DC converter. The bat-
tery's charge is maintained by the motor home engine
alternator, or by the charging circuit included in the
converter.
The converter is the nerve center. of the 12-volt DC
,(as well as the 120-volt AC system.) Fuses for the
Battery Inspection and Care
WARNING: DISCONNECT THE 120-VOLT ELECTRIC
CORD AND THE POSITIVE TERMINAL FROM THE
MOTOR HOME BATTERY BEFORE WORKING ON
EITHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
WARNING: REMOVE RINGS, METAL WATCH-
BANDS, AND OTHER METAL JEWELRY BEFORE
WORKING ARQUND A BATTERY. USE CAUTION
WHEN USING METAL TOOLS. IF THE TOOL CON-
TACTS THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL OR
METAL CONNECTED TO IT, A SHORT CIRCUIT
COULD OCCUR WHICH COULD CAUSE PER-
SONAL INJURY OR FIRE.
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW BATTERY ELECTRO-
LYTE TO CONTACT SKIN, EYES, FABRICS, OR
PAINTED SURFACES. THE ELECTROLYTE IS A
SULFURIC ACID SOLUTION WHICH COULD
CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPER-
TY DAMAGE. WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN
WORKING WITH BATTERIES.
Check the external condition of the battery periodically.
Look for cracks in the cover and case. Check the vent
plugs. Replace them if they are cracked or broken. Keep
the battery clean. Accumulations of acid film and dirt may
permit current to flow between the terminals and
discharge the battery. To clean the battery, wash it with
r-:~
" :" ,'/i12-voIU)Gclrc,uits are located at the converter panel.
t:'
'".,,'iThese'fusesi!lre glass, automotive type and should
:, :';),;, ",:always be replaced with the same type and amperage
k. '
,<...-;;.;gi--"]:tating.,) _ ,
a diluted solution of baking soda and water to neutralize<,.
any acid present, then flush with clean
~ater.
Acid foam-
ing around terminals or on top of the battery, is normal
acid neutralization. Avoid getting the soda solution in the
battery. Be sure the vent caps are tight; Dry the cable,S
~y,'/,<!;,~. -;:~,,:
,
.'~
-,,'
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ii'),!,;':r.:~:)"'.'
WARIIIING;!,DO NOT INSTALL 12-VOLT FUSES
"ii'l;':'g"
WITWAMPERAGE RATINGS GREATER THAN
THAT SPECIFIED ON FUSEBOX.
Auxiliary Battery
The auxiliary battery is the primary source for nor-
mal living-area needs. Sensing and switching circuits
permit the vehicle alternator to charge all batteries as
required' anti prevent the ,living area 12-volt re-
quirements from depleting the vehicle battery. The aux-
iliary battery used in your motor horne is designed
especially for RV use. It is a "deep-cycle" type that
can tolerate tlw wide fluctuations in charge conditions
encountered, in recreational !iliing. , ' ,
and terminals. Don't use grease on the qare metal insid'3
the cable terminals to prevent corrosion(Grease is an ih- ..
sulator. Electricity will not flow through it. A plastic ig-
nition spray will protect the terminals after you have
cleaned and reinstalled them.
To prevent the battery from shaking in its carrier, be
sure the hold-down strap is properly installed. Check it
, often. Keep the carrier and cover clean and free of cor-
rosion and chemical accumulation.
If you ever have to remove the auxiliary battery,
, remember that it is removed from under the front of the
motor home. The battery is very heavy. Before you loosen
or' remove the battery carrier bracket bolts, support the
battery carrier tray with a floor 'jack.
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I!~ea ,-adiosaod,~ape.clecks ~r"w.Jr,oll.1'
Battery Charging
,the auxiliary "aUery, and, exterided " usage 'may" ' , ' "
d · h i ' Normally the battery will be kept charged by 'either
,Iscarget." . . ,.,., ' h ' h h ' h' h d
' t
,e
motor oIT.le c argmg system wile ont e roa ,
Eiatterv
condition c'l(1 be, checked' on the Monitor or by the AC/DC p!>wer converter when pluc.aed into
Pane'e'TJ"dl\i~k'1hebaHl3r~;'cnarge!tl"("
',(1' 'ito,
'f"';'
"$!.(;'
setiij'c~:''b'n\ )tl1o~g o'c'C~sjoli'i'whet'/'t"Il~6'atte'ry
, 1. 'Unplug the 120-volt AC"power cord to turn the needs to be charged.from a'different charging'source,
power'cimverter o f f . p l e a s e f o l l o w ' t h e s e s a f e t y guidelines:
2., Press "BATTERY" rocker switch on the paneL ,WARNING:"NEVER EXj>OSE' rrHEBAT1ERY TO
,3. Turn on a light or any 12-volt appliance. The bat- OPEN'FLAME'OR ELECTRIC ,SPARK. CHEMICAL
tery must be checked with a load. ' ACTION IN THE BATTERY GENERATES HYDROGEN
4. .Read ,battery ,condition ,on the meter. Red is GAS WHICH IS FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE. DO
poor, yellow Is fair, and green, is "good. ' "NOTt'ALLOW, BATTERY, ELECTROLYTE TD.'ICON-
37