Tiffin Motorhomes 2014 Allegro Owner's Manual page 53

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TIFFIN MOTORHOMES –ALLEGRO® Chapter 7 ELECTRICAL FEATURES
Caution
Disconnect the 120 VAC electrical power cord and the negative terminal from the
coach batteries BEFORE working on the Allegro electrical system
Caution
If the Allegro ever requires any welding operations on the frame,
first disconnect the chassis batteries. Failure to do so will destroy all
of the chassis computer system.
The motor-home batteries which constitute the 12 VDC system are
contained inside the motor-home entrance step well (Figure 7-3, top).
To access these batteries, open the access panel (figure 7-3, bottom) on
these steps. When access to the batteries is no longer needed, close and
securely fasten the access cover to place these steps back in service.
When batteries are not used for extended periods of time, they will
gradually lose their electrical charge. Therefore, it is necessary
periodically to recharge the batteries to increase the operational lives of
the batteries. It is also necessary to check the external condition of the
batteries on a regular basis. Look for cracks in the battery case and cover.
Check the vent plugs and replace them if they are cracked or broken.
Keep the battery clean.
Since accumulations of dirt and acid residue around the battery terminals
may provide an electrical path for discharging the battery, the area
around the terminals should be cleaned periodically. One can use an
old toothbrush and a sparse amount of a diluted solution of baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water (distilled or de-ionized, preferred;
tapwater, acceptable) to clean and neutralize any acidic build-up around
the battery terminals. If there is any forming on the top of the battery,
this indicates that acidic residues are being neutralized. Rinse the
cleaned areas thoroughly with distilled or de-ionized water (tap water
is okay, too).
Avoid getting the baking-soda solution into the battery fill plugs to each
Figure 7-3. Stairwell (Top) and Battery Storage
battery cell; this would drastically reduce the effectiveness of the battery
Underneath (Bottom)
(by neutralizing the sulfuric acid in the battery cells) or, worse, "kill" the
battery. Dry the battery cables and terminals to prevent corrosion; to protect those terminals further, use a plastic
ignition spray on the terminals. Do not use grease on the terminals, especially on the metal-to-metal connections, as
grease may act as an insulator and keep the battery electrical power from entering the cables.
7-4