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Fig. 4-13
AUXILIARY BATTERY (DEALER INSTALLED OPTION)
All Jayco travel trailers are designed and built to accept a battery. A deep cycle marine
type is recommended as you need longer energy rather than cold cranking power. A
battery is required to operate the breakaway switch and is also available as a source of
energy when traveling and camping.
All battery packages require an "in-line" fuse and holder attached to the battery for
protection.
Maintenance on a battery is required for longer life. First, all terminals need to be kept
clean and free of corrosion. Second, a battery which is used daily or has the converter in
operation will consume water. Keep the battery filled as the cells cannot hold a charge
when the water is low. A deep cycle battery is NOT maintenance free.
In normal conditions a converter will not overcharge a battery unless (a) the battery has
low or dead cell(s), or (b) the converter has a malfunction. The charging module on some
converters have a positive shut-off and on others there is a reduced charge rate to a very
low amperage rate.
A fully charged battery will read 12.7-volts DC and 1.265 specific gravity at 80°F. A
battery is considered discharged at 11.8-volts by electronic standards. When the voltage
drops below these levels, permanent damage will occur.
The interior lights will operate from the converter and/or auxiliary battery. Some lights
will have wall switches and other lights have switches in the lights themselves.
The RV battery is installed in parallel circuitry with the battery on your tow vehicle.
Both batteries supply power to your RV, so it is important not to discharge the tow
vehicle battery below the level of power required to start the engine. To prevent this
occurrence while parked, you may disconnect the wiring harness between the RV and
tow vehicle or install a battery isolator. When the engine is operating with the RV
connected, the vehicle's charging system will charge both the vehicle battery and the
auxiliary battery.
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BATTERY ISOLATOR (FOR TOW VEHICLE)
When an auxiliary or "house" battery is installed in a recreation vehicle, it is the nature
of parallel circuity to draw energy from both batteries. A device called an "isolator"
should be installed for two purposes. First it receives current from the alternator and
controls distribution of energy to both batteries. Secondly, it serves as a check valve to
prevent energy from being drawn from the tow vehicle chassis battery. Energy in the tow
vehicle is now preserved to start your engine.
Two types of isolators are available, mechanical and solid state. Each type has an
amperage rating (70-amp per side) to indicate it's capacity of operation. The solid state
type of isolator, although typically more expensive, will provide the best overall perfor-
mance. Your dealer can assist you with purchase and installation.
EXTERIOR LIGHTS
All exterior lights are energized by tow vehicle power, such as tail lights, clearance lights,
turn signals, brake lights, etc.
Below is a diagram (Fig. 4-14) showing the color code of a seven (7) wire harness and
connector and the exterior lighting schematics. Also note, the positive wire is attached to
the battery to feed power to the travel trailer.
The connector between the tow vehicle and your RV may build up corrosion with
extended use, and should be cleaned periodically to insure good electrical contact.
White . . . . . 1 . . . . . . Ground
Blue . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . Brakes
Green . . . . 3 . . . . . . Running Lights
Black . . . . . 4 . . . . . . Interior 12-volt Lighting
Red . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . Stop & Left Turn
Brown . . . . 6 . . . . . . Stop & Right Turn
Yellow . . . . 7 . . . . . . Back Up
PORCH LIGHT
Any porch light will have switches located on the wall inside of the entrance door.
7 yellow
Fig. 4-14
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