Outdoors RV Mountain Series Owner's Manual page 73

Electrical Systems
Battery Selection and Installation
Your RV has been designed to install up to two 12-volt Group 27 batteries (without box) or two 6-volt
GC2 batteries in the standard battery rack and up to four 6-volt GC2 batteries if your RV is equipped
with the expanded capacity battery tray. Or if you own a fifth-wheel model your battery rack will hold
up to four 12-volt Group 24 batteries or up to four 6-volt GC2 batteries. When selecting a 12-volt
battery always choose a RV/Marine grade deep-cycle battery. Your RV dealership or battery supplier
can help you with your choice of battery and the pros and cons of each installation.
It is critical that your RV batteries are connected properly. Whether you have chosen multiple 6-volt
batteries or multiple 12-volt batteries they must be wired correctly, or you may cause damage to the
batteries or internal wiring and fusing in your RV. Consult with your RV dealership or battery supplier
for proper wiring procedure.
Many RV'ers that 'dry camp' without shore power have had great success using multiple 6-volt batteries
rather than the typical 12-volt battery set-up. Multiple 6-volt batteries in conjunction with two or three
larger solar panels will generally provide a greater power reserve that is only limited by the amount of
direct sunlight available to recharge your batteries. Depending on your camping power consumption you
may find that this will satisfy your 12-volt power needs.
It is recommended that your batteries be secured in a battery box specifically designed for housing
batteries using an appropriate hold-down strap around the support frame of the RV. Check occasionally
to ensure that the straps have not worked loose.
Battery Charging and Maintenance
Under normal circumstances your RV batteries will maintain their charge by a combination of sources
including the tow vehicle charge line while on the road, while your RV is plugged into shore power and
with the solar panel(s) (if equipped). On those occasions when the battery needs to be charged from a
different source, please consult with your battery supplier for specific charging requirements for your
batteries.
 Disconnect the 120-volt electrical cord and both cables from the RV
battery before working on either electrical system.
 Remove rings, metal watchbands, and other metal jewelry before
working around the battery. Use caution when using metal tools. If
tools contact the battery terminals or metal connected to them a short
circuit could occur which could cause personal injury or fire.
 Do not allow battery acid to contact skin, eyes, fabrics, or painted
surfaces. The sulfuric acid in the battery could cause serious
personal injury or property damage. Wear eye protection when
working with batteries.
 Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark. Chemical
action in the battery generates hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive.
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