Bruce H Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Being new to rving, I'll be taking my MH out for the first time this weekend. I have 50 amp service in it. My question is should I shut off the coach & chassis batteries before plugging into the 50 amp outlet? Thanks Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockylarson Posted September 16, 2015 Report Share Posted September 16, 2015 Yep, pretty silly, oh but you are serious??? Be sure the power is off at the pole so your plug does not spark and arc when plugged in. Down the road you should get an EMS/surge protector (progressive is popular) and plug it in first. Once it says the power is OK you can then flip on your 120volt curcuit breakers in the MH or plug in your cord, whichever you prefer. The coach and chassis batteries do not come into play here. Good Luck. Jan and Rocky Larson, Volunteers, USFWS , 9,300 hours each. 29 refuges since 2006. 2 new each year. 2004 Allegro 30DA, Workhorse 8.1, Banks, 2012 Jeep Liberty, Blue Ox Aladdin, 300 watts solar, 5 Optima group 31 AGM's, 2000w PSW inverter Philippians 4:11-13 KJV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 No need to worry about your batteries. Ron & LindaClass of 20072000 Monaco Diplomat 2005 Honda Element"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail""When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 You want to have the batteries 'on' so they can be charged up while you are parked. If you didn't get a good PDI walk through explaining all of the systems, might I suggest you pay a mobile RV tech to come out and go over all of the systems with you and you video their walkthrough/demonstrations. Barb Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Welcome to The Escapees Forum! The only silly question is the one you don't ask. You can leave the battery disconnects on, the converter will start supplying 12 volts as soon as you plug in. This will keep your batteries charged up and supply power to run your lights and other 12 volt loads. Some if not most coaches do not charge the chassis battery from the converter. The house and chassis batteries are isolated from each other except when they're being charged from the engine alternator while the main engine is running. This is something to keep in mind if you have a dash mounted 12 volt socket or lights that are controlled from a dash switch - most likely these are on the chassis battery and you don't want to run it down if the converter isn't charging it. When you plug into shore power, turn off the campground pedestal's breaker, plug in, then turn the breaker back on. When you unplug, do the opposite - turn off the breaker, then pull the plug. This eliminates the possibility of drawing a damaging arc while you're plugging and unplugging from the socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouserl41 Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Welcome! Don't be shy about asking questions, we all asked the same ones ourselves! I personally leave the coach batteries connected when we're on shore power as that supplies 12v to the fridge, water heater, heating furnace. lights etc and if the shore power dies for any reason those systems will automatically stay on. I extend the entrance steps and turn off the chassis battery so the steps don't go in and out every time the door opens and it stops some of the drain on the engine starting battery. If we're not using the coach for more than a couple of days (for whatever reason) I turn off both switches. Other people may have different ideas and you may find one way better than another with experience. In a very short time you'll be familiar with the systems in your coach so don't get too anxious. Enjoy! BnB 2009 Monaco Cayman DP 38' bnbrv.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted September 17, 2015 Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 We never mess around with disconnecting, turning off batteries. Been at this 9+ years and not a problem yet We have a switch near the door for our steps. Our steps stay out when the engine is off unless we flip the switch Ron & LindaClass of 20072000 Monaco Diplomat 2005 Honda Element"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail""When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce H Posted September 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2015 Thank you all for your comments and replies. I get it now. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mscans Posted September 27, 2015 Report Share Posted September 27, 2015 Welcome to The Escapees Forum! The only silly question is the one you don't ask. You can leave the battery disconnects on, the converter will start supplying 12 volts as soon as you plug in. This will keep your batteries charged up and supply power to run your lights and other 12 volt loads. Some if not most coaches do not charge the chassis battery from the converter. The house and chassis batteries are isolated from each other except when they're being charged from the engine alternator while the main engine is running. This is something to keep in mind if you have a dash mounted 12 volt socket or lights that are controlled from a dash switch - most likely these are on the chassis battery and you don't want to run it down if the converter isn't charging it. When you plug into shore power, turn off the campground pedestal's breaker, plug in, then turn the breaker back on. When you unplug, do the opposite - turn off the breaker, then pull the plug. This eliminates the possibility of drawing a damaging arc while you're plugging and unplugging from the socket. You can look for an aftermarket relay system that WILL charge the chassic while plugged in. Also can use a http://www.lslproducts.net/TLSPage.html, i used one very successfully. Have fun! Happy Trails, Florida Mike EXPERTS AREN'T!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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