This is going to be harder than I thought

[JoanE]

I visited my new rig today. Starting to move things in to prepare for maiden voyage in June and also to get my dog, Maggie accustomed to spending time in the rig. Anyway, I opened the door to hear beeping. I did not see anything flashing and had difficulty determining the source of the beep. I started the generator to get the a/c going and ....it wouldn't start. I started the engine and waited several minutes and then the generator started right up.

I figure I drained the coach battery but have no idea how. I thought everything was off. I made a list of questions for the service guys when I take it in for the awning arm replacement. I am so unmechanical. Which of you said it is difficult to blow these rigs up? I think I am capable.

[Forestgal]

Joan, the beeping you heard could be from any of a number of sensors -- carbon monoxide, LP, to name a few. And both of those sensors drain the battery. When you take your rig in ask the service guys to show you where the battery shut-off is for the house batteries, so you can disconnect it/them when you're not using the rig. I have a trailer so mine's different, but the theory's still the same. Many of the electrical things have a 12-volt back-up on them (radio included) and even though they appear to be off they're still draining the battery.

You'll figure it out pretty quickly. We've all gone through it. Hang in there and keep asking questions. Someone here's bound to know how to help, or at least hold your hand!

Laura -- and Jed

P.S. I got my report cards done today -- 2 1/2 weeks ahead of the deadline. Good for me!

[longdog2]

Laura is exactly right. Lots of things to drain that battery and it may not have had a good charge on it to start with if it was sitting in a lot. One of the issues we discovered when we had a motorhome was that the lovely radio was wired to the motor battery which does not charge when you are hooked up to power like the house battery does. Long story short--when we got ready to head home after a weekend at the state park, the motorhome would not start. Many also have battery switches inside the coach and you want to make sure that you are disconnecting the right one.

[Bethers]

The generator wouldn't start because the batteries didn't have enough power left to start it. It would have started as soon as you started the engine - as that battery then was giving the coach battery a full charge.

Do you have the fridge on? If so, that would have drained the battery quickly if you're just sitting there. Otherwise, yes, there are plenty of "little" things pulling from the battery.

But ... after you learn the disconnect switch, keep an eye on your battery - as you have now drained it beyond what you want to (yep, I've done it several times) so the battery might not last as long. (Not sure whether to say battery or batteries - as I don't know how many you have). I learned the hard way about draining my battery. Well, I leanred most of my rig the hard way.

[JoanE]

The frig was off but I did find the battery disconnect switch and did turn that off when I left yesterday. I know that hard lessons leave an impression, I just don't want all of them to be "the hard way". lol

[mtngal]

Not to worry, it is all a bit over whelming at first. But you are way ahead of the majority because you found this forum!
Keep asking questions, reading posts, it will all begin to come together before you know it! And don't forget to have fun!

[OutandAbout]

It sounds like the beeping was the battery letting you know that it needs to be charged. Mine does that when the charge runs down. I am not very good at keeping it charged properly. It's good you found the battery disconnect switch, now you have to remember to use it when leaving the rig for awhile. Linda

[JoanE]

I've decided to camp at a local campground for a few days. Sure way to find out what I don't know but not too far away that I can't get help. Trial by fire.

[BirdbyBird]

You have the right idea. Some just camp in their driveway!

[Forestgal]

I love your "Go Get 'em!" attitude! It's fearless and full of confidence. You may not feel that way, but I get the feeling that nothing will stop you, even if it means getting a little singed in the process.

Have a great camping trip! Take a notepad so you can write down stuff you need to know about, get fixed, have to buy -- everything. And we'll be cheering you on from all over the country.

Happy Trails!

Laura -- and Jed

[JoanE]

You have the right idea. Some just camp in their driveway!

Tina, I was warned not to plug into household current. Since I will be parking at my daughter and SIL's property in the winter, I will pay to have 30amp service installed but I haven't plugged into their service because of the warning. Is the warning correct or did I misunderstand something?

[BirdbyBird]

As in many things the answer is ....it depends. At fairgrounds and in driveways I have often plugged into "house" current. That said I can not use the current at my daughter's rental house in NC. The wiring is too old, poorly maintained, and they are not sure what is running off which circuits. I am not sure that house is safe for them to inhabit. Fuses will be blown. But, if you are plugging into a healthy electrical systems, know that nothing else is being drawn off of that circuit, and you don't try to run all your electrical appliances at one time....... If I need to run the microwave, the air conditioner gets turned off. You get the idea. I have a small 22 ft class C. There really isn't all that much along for the ride for me to run at the same time. When I went to dog shows if I needed to run the hair dryer to blow out coats and I needed to keep the air conditioner on b/c of the extreme heat, I would use my generator. Otherwise, if I just needed to keep the puppers cool, the house current supported the system just fine! Then again putting in your own plug at your daughter's is the way to go for the long term. They will want you to visit often, right? Bring that adapter and don't be afraid to use it with some intelligent forethought.

[Liz]

You shouldn't have any problem plugging into a 20 amp household outlet as long as you don't run everything at once. A 15 amp outlet....not so much.

[Acadianmom]

It won't take you long to find out what you can run at the same time. Find out where the breaker box is in your RV in case you trip something. My motorhome has ground fault receptacles and if one of them trips part of my rig won't work. Even plugged in at a campground with 30 amp service I can't run my air conditioner and something else that draws a lot of power without tripping a breaker. I forget that my water heater is on electric and on all the time. The electric switch for the water heater is on the heater outside so too much trouble to turn off and on all the time.

Martha

[JoanE]

Spoke to my local repair/service garage today. I had to pick up a cap for my black water tank. Asked them about the pilot light warning when I fill up with gas. He said when he is driving in his MH he always runs his generator for his refrigerator. Some think it uses too much fuel and prefer to use propane but he said that is not true. HOWEVER if I choose to run the frig on propane, then I must turn it off before filling up at the gas pump. He liked my idea of "camping" at a local park for a few days. He said he could rescue me if I run into trouble BEFORE leaving for the boondocks. He was very patient and did not laugh at any of my questions or the fact that I drained the battery. He said he will show me how to check the water levels in the battery (ies).