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Old 10-18-2018, 01:23 PM   #18
TurnerFam
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
first, in order to overcome the 'low' House batteries to help crank the generator:

- press and HOLD down the 'AUX', or emergency switch, on the dash
- the press and HOLD the Generator START Switch, at the same time
- the AUX switch should be powered by EITHER battery bank, so as long as one has power, it should flow thru to the other, and vice versa...which is it's job - like a set of jumper cables, only much easier : )

...as for whether the House batteries should be 'dead' after only a year of use, and while mostly 'plugged in' to shore power, I would suggest that they are probably not, as your Charger may not be charging the batteries.

When plugged into shore power, there's really NO reason to turn anything OFF in the coach, as far as the 12v systems, or even the Inverter, if you have one. The shore power is plenty capable of handling all 120v power, and 12v power thru the Converter, as well as a constant 'trickle charge' to the House batteries, as needed.

Whenever you switch OFF something, you have to think about what that is affecting. Sometimes we think that we should 'shut down' everything when we are not using it, but most electrical systems don't really 'care', though you also risk shutting down your ability to keep the batteries charged.

Now, if you store your RV and don't have access to shore power or solar power, then Yes, it makes sense to not only shut down any power draws, by switching off the 12v systems, but also to cut off the House batteries from the RV itself. The 12v cut-off 'salesman's' switch may NOT do this, at least not completely. Some RVs may include a 'Main' cutoff switch for the house batteries, but most don't. Install your own, or simply remove the red and black main battery leads while in storage.

RVs are interesting beasts. While we think 'nothing' is drawing from the batteries when we have used the 'OFF' switch, some safety items are supplied power directly from the batteries, bypassing any switch - such as C02 and Smoke detectors, as well as possibly 12v TVs, or devices with internal circuit boards which require constant, though slight, 12v power.
The 'salesman's' switch was originally designed to really only serve as a 'main' switch for the lights throughout the coach, so that a salesman can easily cut ON or OFF all the lights while entering or exiting, when showing the RV. It may also cut off the power to many Inverters, such as the whole-house type, but probably not all, such as ones dedicated to only the residential fridge.

The only 'real' way to stop draws from the House batteries is to totally disconnect them, though that's more than most would like to have to do. : )
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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