Thor Forums

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by KCook

I had thought the engine would keep the battery charged. Kevin

On a hot day with the Ford engine at 2,400 rpm you have about 100 amps available from the alternator @ 14 volts to power items in the coach. Subtract 20 to 40 amps for the dash A/C and your inverter needs approximately 9 amps @ 13 volts to produce 1 amp @ 120 volts or about 650 - 800 watts total. If you get a low voltage reading, it is because your house batteries are below 12.4 volts and/or your chassis battery is below 12.4 volts. You can read the battery voltages on the panel in manual mode. At idle, your alternator has about 20 amps @ 14 volts excess current. The electric jack pump needs 50 to 90 amps at 12.4 volts to operate efficiently. In manual, the system will still operate with voltages as low as 11.6 volts but this can overheat the motor if it is operated for a considerable time. Just start your generator about one hour before you park and you will never have a low voltage problem when you use the jacks.