How to switch to battery

[Bobbyparlon]

Hello! I'm new to this forum but had a question. I have a 2016 Viking BH17. I don't know how to or where the switch is to change AC power to run off the battery. Can anyone help me with this?

[Mr. Dan]

What appliance(s) are you attempting to run off the battery?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Bobbyparlon

Hello! I'm new to this forum but had a question. I have a 2016 Viking BH17. I don't know how to or where the switch is to change AC power to run off the battery. Can anyone help me with this?

Are you sure you can? You have to have a whole house inverter to run the 110v outlets on battery power. And I seriously doubt your Viking has one.
What do you want to run? And who told you that you could get AC power from the battery?

[Bobbyparlon]

I'm not sure. I know a battery or even a couple couldnt handle the full load of the trailer. It takes a 30a with the AC unit. Would really like to switch to a smaller 15a unit but that's a story for another day.
I have a battery mounted on the front of the trailer and I'm not sure why it's there. If I can't run anything off it what's the use?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Bobbyparlon

I'm not sure. I know a battery or even a couple couldnt handle the full load of the trailer. It takes a 30a with the AC unit. Would really like to switch to a smaller 15a unit but that's a story for another day.
I have a battery mounted on the front of the trailer and I'm not sure why it's there. If I can't run anything off it what's the use?

You run your slide-out(s) on it and your tongue jack and the control boards and thermostats for furnace, A/C, water heater, and your tank level sensors and your LP/CO detector and certain igniters and probably more. I don't know the details of your unit.


Oh... and the break-away brake switch... and your lights.

[houstonstroker]

Does your rv have brakes? The battery powers the brakes if the safety switch is pulled.

[Mr. Dan]

We often send new RVers here:

Originally Posted by wmtire

Welcome. This thread may be of help as it is for new RV owners:


https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ts-157524.html

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Bobbyparlon

I'm not sure. I know a battery or even a couple couldnt handle the full load of the trailer. It takes a 30a with the AC unit. Would really like to switch to a smaller 15a unit but that's a story for another day.
I have a battery mounted on the front of the trailer and I'm not sure why it's there. If I can't run anything off it what's the use?

I'm assuming that you bought your TT used and didn't get a PDI/Walkthrough.
Please don't take this the wrong way but you need to educate yourself on RV electrical systems. One side is 12v DC and the other side is 120v AC.
As was stated, you have to have a battery to power the breakaway switch while traveling. Also, some RVs need a battery to operate high draw 12v items, even when plugged into shore power.
Microwave, electric fireplace, a/c and outlets only operate when on shore power or generator power. Also the electric side of 2-way fridge or water heater. Most tv's are also 110v AC.

[NavyLCDR]

These are the things in my trailer that are powered from 12v DC:
Refrigerator if set to DC. If set to propane, the control board and gas ignitor are 12v.
Water heater control board and gas ignitor.
Furnace fan and gas ignitor.
Propane/CO alarm.
Lights.
Slide out.
Awning.
Power tongue jack.
USB charging ports.
12v TV.
Stereo/radio.
Shower/bathroom fan.
Tank level lights.
Brakes if breakaway switch is pulled.
Water pump.
Cigarette lighter type outlets.

Things powered by Shore Power or Generator:
Air Conditioner
Refrigerator if set to AC. The control board still runs off 12v DC though.
Water Heater if AC power switch is on. Control board still runs off DC though.
Standard electrical outlets.
Microwave.
Converter/battery charger.

To "switch to battery power" all you do is unplug shore power or unplug generator.

[BMullins46]

X2 what NavyLCDR said.

Time to get your manuals out and read them.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Bobbyparlon

Hello! I'm new to this forum but had a question. I have a 2016 Viking BH17. I don't know how to or where the switch is to change AC power to run off the battery. Can anyone help me with this?

This is the classic reference:
https://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm