[bushpilot]

Originally Posted by samcrimm

Bob, I am learning that these coaches are custom all the way. I am not aware that I can charge the house batteries as I motor down the road. That would be nice, and I am sure there would be some sort of switching thing to keep things from frying.
I believe my gen uses the house batteries to start, I have a switch that when I have run my batteries down I can push to start the gen.

Maybe by the time I figure out my white wire I will even know more.

sam

Sam, i would be surprised if your house batts aren't charged when the engine is running.

Our house batteries get charged by the engine alternator when the engine is running.

When the generator is running, it also charges the batteries (via the converter/charger).

the generator does (usually) rely on the house batteries to start, once the generator is running the AC powered Converter/Charger will recover/maintain the house batteries (but not, usually, the engine batteries).

put a meter on the house batteries (when you're disconnected from shore power) - whats the voltage? then start the coach engine & check the house battery voltage.

if you don't see an increase (charge) voltage on the house batteries with the engine running you may want to consider adding a simple and inexpensive battery isolation relay between the engine batteries and the house batteries.

the battery isolation relay will "combine" allow (charge) voltage to flow to the house batteries when the engine alternator is outputting. When the engine is not running (and there is no charge output from the engine alternator) the Isolation Relay will electrically isolate or separate the house batteries from the engine batteries.