Don't know what knob is?

sscheib · 08-10-2018, 06:50 PM

I have a 2013 Forest River Sunseeker. There is a knob as you walk in the camper on the lower left. I don't know what it's for or when it's supposed to be on or off. Help!!

007matman · 08-10-2018, 06:58 PM

Battery switch?

fonzie · 08-10-2018, 07:12 PM

It is a battery disconnect. Should be on when using camper and off when in storage.

mawilson · 08-10-2018, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzie

It is a battery disconnect. Should be on when using camper and off when in storage.

Unless the TT is on shore power.

fonzie · 08-10-2018, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mawilson

Unless the TT is on shore power.

Even on shore power I would have it on so converter charges battery and other appliances/lights works if shore power goes off.

Duckogram · 08-10-2018, 09:41 PM

The TT is a MH and X2 for both of the fonzie posts.

Splitshaft · 08-11-2018, 01:22 PM

When my Sunseeker battery switch is OFF, nothing that is battery operated works. So, it needs to be ON for stuff to work. I recommend using a volt meter to make sure the house batteries are maintained by the converter when the switch is OFF and plugged into shore power. If the coach is not plugged into 120V AC, then the switch should be off to reduce battery drain. I never like storing an RV for any length of time without the batteries being maintained as replacements are expensive. We do a lot of dry camping and rely on our batteries for running everything at night, including the AC, as generators are not permitted at night.

ACJC · 08-11-2018, 05:39 PM

My battery disconnect MUST be on for the lights and everything 12 volts to work.
Plugged into shore power or not. But mine does charge the batteries when it is turned off. May be different for others but my sunseeker is a 2018. My A/C and microwave don't work without shore power or the generator

Wolverine 1945 · 08-12-2018, 10:17 AM

Just be sure you do not forget to turn it off if you store your MH for the winter !!!
Or you will find a couple of dead batteries !!!

TitanMike · 08-12-2018, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splitshaft

I never like storing an RV for any length of time without the batteries being maintained as replacements are expensive. We do a lot of dry camping and rely on our batteries for running everything at night, including the AC, as generators are not permitted at night.

This also holds true for boondocking to a certain extent. The longer a battery remains in a state of discharge, with plates in their sulfated state, the sulfation starts to harden with time. If one has solar or a generator it's a good idea to charge every day even if their battery bank is large enough to go several days.

On my TT I've learned to run the generator and charge daily even though under normal circumstances my batteries will last up to 5 days without charging. Pick a time during the day when people aren't usually sleeping, kids are out making normal kid noises, or vehicles are coming and going. Run the generator and charge up. Of course Solar will provide the same service as long as you aren't camped in the deep woods with limited sun.

The effect of leaving batteries in a state of partial discharge will be most noticeable in the batteries that are somewhat "fragile" to begin with. The 12 volt so called "Deep Cycle" units. Not so much with banks built from 6 volt true deep cycle Golf Cart or Industrial Deep Cycle batteries.

fobagbob · 08-12-2018, 11:55 AM

I spent some time figuring out the electrical on my 2017 Forester 2861 because it was a bit confusing. As shown in the attached diagram, on my unit, the batteries are charged when on shore power regardless of the battery switch. All it does is turn off some 12v circuits that are likely to draw down the batteries in storage.

Obviously, this diagram is for my unit, don't know how others are wired, but it could be a guide to figuring out yours.

Wolverine 1945 · 08-13-2018, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splitshaft

When my Sunseeker battery switch is OFF, nothing that is battery operated works. So, it needs to be ON for stuff to work. I recommend using a volt meter to make sure the house batteries are maintained by the converter when the switch is OFF and plugged into shore power. If the coach is not plugged into 120V AC, then the switch should be off to reduce battery drain. I never like storing an RV for any length of time without the batteries being maintained as replacements are expensive. We do a lot of dry camping and rely on our batteries for running everything at night, including the AC, as generators are not permitted at night.

You can run your A/C on battery power ???

You may also like: