Fleetwood 2009 AMERICAN ALLEGIANCE User Manual Download

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Electrical Systems

08-2

Battery Disconnect

(If Equipped)

Some accessories or equipment such as clocks,
radios or the refrigerator may draw small
amounts of current even when turned OFF. A
manual operated rotary switch disconnect sys-
tem allows you to disconnect either the chassis
batteries or the coach batteries or both.
Disconnecting the batteries will help reduce the
likelihood of battery discharge over long storage
periods. For your convenience, relay operated
disconnect circuits may be equipped with your
motor home. These circuits isolate selected elec-
trical systems from either the chassis or the
house batteries. Deactivating the relay(s) will
prevent battery discharge which may occur over
extended storage periods. During normal use of
your motor home the relays must always be in
the “on” position.

If you plan to store the motor home for an
extended period, position the disconnect
switch/es to OFF. Remember to position the
switch/es to ON when you take the motor home
out of storage.

Battery Inspection and Care

Check the external condition of the batteries
periodically. Look for cracks in the cover and
case. Check the vent plugs and replace any that
are cracked or broken. Keep the batteries clean.
Acid film and dirt on the battery top may permit
current to flow between the terminals and dis-
charge the battery.

To clean the batteries:

1. Wash the battery with a diluted solution of

baking soda and water to neutralize any
acid present.

2. 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.

3. Dry the cables and terminals.

4. Do not use grease on the bare metal inside

the cable terminals to prevent corrosion.
Most greases are an insulator. A plastic bat-
tery terminal spray will protect the termi-
nals after they have been cleaned and rein-
stalled.

5. Keep the carrier and hold down hardware

clean and free of corrosion and chemical
accumulation.

Battery Charging

Both sets of batteries will be kept charged by the
chassis engine alternator and charging system
while you are driving. The DC power converter
will charge the chassis and house batteries when
plugged into 120-volt AC service or by the gener-
ator (if equipped). If 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 of time can shorten bat-
tery life.

• Do not smoke near batteries being charged

or which have been recently charged. Please

WARNING

Do not use the motor home when the chassis batter-
ies are disconnected. The power step will not operate
as designed if the chassis battery is disconnected. If
the step is not in the correct extended position, you
may be injured if you step out of the motor home.

WARNING

Before working on either electrical system shut OFF
the Automatic Generator Start System (AGS), gener-
ator, inverter, chassis engine and disconnect the
shore cord and negative terminals from the batteries.
If you work on the electrical systems with these sys-
tems ON or connected, you may be shocked, electro-
cuted, or severely burned.

NOTE

When charging the batteries, the battery disconnect
switches must be ON.

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