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Discovery, Discovery LXE, Pace Arrow, and Pace Arrow LXE
HOUSE ELECTRICAL -
INTRODUCTION
This section contains
information, guidelines and
procedures on the operation of the
house electrical system. Refer to
the OEM manuals included in the
Owner’s Information File box for
respective, in-depth, individual
component operating instructions.
General Overview:
The motorhome can utilize
various sources of electrical
power: shore power, the generator,
inverter, chassis batteries and
house batteries. All of these
electrical power sources, while
independent of each other, can be
combined in a variety of ways to
provide a highly efcient electrical
operating system. Two types of
electrical systems are used: 120
Volt AC and 12 Volt DC.
The motorhome 120 Volt AC
system can be operated from
three different power sources:
shore power, the generator or
the inverter. Shore power is the
most efcient and should be used
whenever possible. The generator
can be used when shore power is
unavailable. The inverter supplies
AC power by using the house
batteries to supply AC power to
selected appliances and outlets.
However, AC power output from
the inverter is limited and should
be used sparingly to conserve
house battery power. Two different
sources supply the main AC circuit
breaker panel (load center) with
power: the 50 Amp shore power
cord or the on-board generator.
The transfer switch automatically
selects between shore power and
generator power.
WARNING:
The electrical system is
engineered and tested for
safety. Circuit breakers
and fuses protect the
electrical circuits from
overloading. When
planning modifications or
additions to the electrical
system, ensure safety of the
electrical system. Please
note that any modifications
may void the warranty.
WARNING:
Water is electrically
conductive. Do not use any
electrically powered item or
outlet that may be exposed
to a water source. Such
use can result in a serious
shock causing injury or
death.
12 Volt DC System:
The motorhome has two 12
Volt DC systems: chassis and
house. These two systems, for the
most part, are separate from one
another. The house system does
not operate engine functions; the
engine system does not operate
house functions. However, within
the two systems there are some
inner connections. For example:
While the motorhome is driven
the alternator on the engine will
maintain a charge to the house
batteries. Likewise, while the
motorhome is plugged into shore
power, or the generator is running,
the chassis batteries are being
charged. Each system will supply
12 Volt DC power to the 12 Volt
DC distribution panels.
Chassis and House System:
The chassis and house systems
have their own sets of batteries.
The chassis batteries supply 12
Volt DC power to the chassis fuse
boxes and the front distribution
box. These panels contain mostly
engine system circuits and wiring
such as headlights, taillights,
dashboard functions, gauges, etc.
The house batteries supply 12 Volt
DC power to the house distribution
panel. This panel contains fuses
for the house, interior lighting and
appliances. Become familiar with
these panels and the items they
operate.
Maintenance:
It is important to keep the 12
Volt DC systems in good working
order as many of these systems use
electronics. These systems, with
their incorporated electronics, are
voltage sensitive. Some items can
be damaged if the DC voltage is
not maintained within the designed
specications.
Why Batteries are Important:
A majority of the lighting and
appliances are designed to operate
from 12 Volt DC (direct current)
power. This is why the batteries
play such an important role in
the function of the electrical
system. There are exceptions with
appliances such as the microwave
or television; however, indirectly
they still operate from 12 Volt DC
power, as they can be operated
from the inverter. The chassis
functions (engine, transmission,
dash air, etc.) are also 12 Volt DC.
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