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28 ____________________ __
To clean the battery, wash it with a diluted solution of
baking soda and water to neutralize any acid present,
then flush with clean water. Foaming 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 cables and terminals.
Don't use grease on the bare metal inside the cable
terminals to prevent corrosion. Grease is an insulator.
Electricity will not flow through it. A plastic ignition spray
will protect the terminals after you have cleaned and
reinstalled them.
Check the battery, including water level, often. Keep the
carrier and hold down hardware clean and free of
corrosion and chemical accumulation.
Auxiliary Start System
The Auxiliary Start System permits using the coach
battery to start the motor home engine if the chassis
battery is diSCharged. To use the Auxiliary Start System:
1. Be sure the vehicle is stopped, shift to "P"
(PARK) and apply the parking brake.
2. Press and hold the Auxiliary Start switch on
the instrument panel.
3. Start engine with ignition switch.
4. Release Auxiliary Start switch.
The Auxiliary Start System has no effect on the vehicle
except to aid in starting the motor home engine. If the
vehicle alternator is operating properly, the batteries will
be recharged while driving.
Battery Charging
Both sets of batteries will be kept charged by the chassis
charging system while on the road. The AC/DC power
converter will charge the coach battery when plugged
into 120-volt service. On those' occasions when the
battery needs to be charged from a different charging
source, please follow these safety guidelines:
Leaving a charger connected ·to a battery for an
extended period oftime can shorten battery life.
WARNING
NEVER EXPOSE THE BATTERY TO OPEN
FLAME OR ELECTRIC SPARK. CHEMICAL
ACTION IN THE BATTERY GENERATES
HYDROGEN GAS WHICH IS FLAMMABLE
AND EXPLOSIVE. DO NOT ALLOW BAT-
TERY ELECTROLYTE (ACID) TO CONTACT
SKIN, EYES, FABRICS, OR PAINTED SUR-
FACES.
Do not smoke near batteries being charged or
which have been recently charged. Please note
that batteries are being charged while you drive,
and while you are connected to 120-volt power
through the converter/charger circuit.
Do not break live circuits at the terminals of the
battery. Use care when connecting or discon-
necting booster leads or cables. These actions,
and poor connections, are a common cause of
electrical arcs which can cause explosion.
Check and adjust the electroly1e level before charg-
ing. Fill each cell to the indicator with distilled
water.
Always remove vent caps before charging the
battery.
Do not charge the battery at a rate that causes the
electroly1e to spew out.
Selecting A Replacement Battery
When the battery requires replacement, always choose
a battery with the same physical and electrical charac-
teristics as the original equipment. Your dealer or an
authorized Fleetwood Service Center can advise you on
proper battery selection.
SOLAR PANEL
(optional)
The solar charging panel installed on the roof of your
motor home is designed to "trickle-charge" your battery
system. It is not intended to be a fast charging or heavy
current electrical source. During periods of clear sky and
bright sun, the solar panel will help keep your batteries
"topped-up". Do nottryto operate 12-volt DC appliances
with the output of the solar panel. The solar monitor,
mounted in the front roof air conditioner shroud, will light
up to indicate a trickle-charge.
The panel is expandable with optional expansion panels.
Contact your dealer for more information on expansion
panels.
120-VOLT SYSTEM
This system provides grounded electrical service for
appliances such as air conditioners, TV, microwave
ovens, etc. The 120-volt system also provides a
power 120-volt power.
Power Cord Hook-Up
Your motor home is equipped with either a 30-amp or
a 50-amp heavy duty power cord to connect to external
120-volt power.
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