Electrical System; Batteries - Fleetwood 1985 Southwind Manual

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical systems in your motor home are de-
signed and built in accordance with all regulations,
codes, and standards in effect at the time of man-
ufacture.
, There are three distinct electrical systems in your
motor home.
• Chassis system. This is the vehicle electrical
system. It includes the stop, tail, turn signal,
chiarance lights,' and instrument panel ac-
cessories.
• 12 volt DC 'living system. All 12 volt lighting
fixtures and convenience oUtlets,· 12 volt
powered vents; fansi motors,and :12 volt ac-
cessories are included in this system. The
fresh water pumpand,any 12 ,volt entertain-
ment equipment.are connected 'to this sys-
tem. The 12 volt power source is a (two in
some models) deep-cycle 12 volt lead-acid
storage battery located in the battery com-
partment. Twelve, volt, power is ,also pro-
vided by anAClDCconverter: Battt:try charge
is maintained bythemotor.llomejmgineal-
ternator, or by the
c~argil1g'circiuit
included
. in the converter. ' , ' ''', "
, ,. 115 volt
A<::;.sVstem.J-his,~ystemprovides
groundedele9~ricalservice.Jor.
,appliances
",ysuch as;air,;;cciriditionersi1\i;·"blender, etc.
The 115-volt system also provides a power
source for the converter. Your motor home
is equipped with a heavy duty power cord
to connect to an 'external 1 i5 volt, 30 amp
AC service. The cord' and connector' are
molded together to form a weatherproof
cable assembly. Do not cut or alter the cable
in any way. Do not removefthe ground pin
in the cable connector, or defeat the ground
circuit in the motor home. If you have to uE!e
adapters to plug into an electrical service,
be sure the gound is maintained.
WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE THE 115 VOLT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITHOUT A PROPER
, GROUND.
BATTERIES
the auxiliary battery(s).used in your motor home
is designed especially for RV use. Although it may
'look like a regular automotive battery,'a "deep-
cycle" type, is recommended that can tolerate the
,wide ,fluotuations'in 'cha rge'Jconditions encountered
in recreational living.
Battery condition can be checked on the optional
Monitor Panel. To check the battery charge:
. ' ,j
,1. ,Unplug the 115 volt AC pciwer·oord to turn
the power converter off.
2. press "BA TrERV,j rocker switch' on the
panel. ", '
3.Tl.lrncm'li light or iinyi2 volt appliance. The
batterY must be checked with a,load.,
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4i
i
Rt:ta<!·batterycondition ,on4he;mett:tr. Red is
pooriVelloW is fair/illld green\is'gobd."
, " Batter.i'I~sp~cti~~ ~nd Care'
27
WARNING: DISCONNECT THE 115 VOLT ELEC-
TRIC CORD AND THE POSITIVE TERMINAL
'FROM THE MOTOR HOME' BA'JTERY BEFORE
WORKING ON EITHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
WARNING: REMOVE RINGS, METAL WATCH-
BANDS, AND OTHER METAL JEWELRY BE-
FORE WORKING, AROUND A BATTERY. USE
CAUTION WHEN USING METAL TOOLS~ IF THE
TOOL CONTACTS THE POSITIVE BATTERY
TERMINAL OR METAL CONNECTED TO IT,
AND ,ANY OTHER METAL ON THE MOTOR
HOME, A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR
WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR
FIRE.
Check the external conciition of the battery periodi
cally. Look for oracks in' the cover and case;Checl
the vent plugs. Replace them if they are ,cracked
0'
broken. Keep the battery clean. Accumulations
0
acid film and dirt may permit current to flow be
tween the terminals and discharge the battery. Tc
clean the battery, wash it with a diluted solution
0