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ELECTRICS
GENERAL INFORMATION
BATTERY
For optimum performance and safety it is
essential that only a good quality CARAVAN
battery is used. A normal car battery is NOT
suitable.
WARNING
One of the most common causes of
caravan battery failure is for the battery to
be discharged below the recommended
level of approximately 10.5 Volts and
therefore causing one or more cells to fail.
Provided the appropriate relay is fitted to your
car and the connection is made via the 13 pin
plug and socket, a small trickle charge is
achieved from car battery to the leisure
battery when towing.
The auxiliary battery compartment is located
on the offside of the caravan, with easy to fit
and clearly identified positive and negative
connectors.
It is recommended that a good quality leisure
battery is always in circuit when the system is
in use.
A heavy duty 12v battery should be
purchased to provide power for lights and
other electrical appliances. A proprietary
brand leisure battery with a 60, 90 or 110
amp capacity is recommended. (It must have
tube venting capability for internal battery
boxes).
It should be remembered that batteries
suitable for the electrical demands of a
caravan differ in design from those for use
with a car, and whilst the system may
operate with a car battery it is strongly
recommended that only a caravan/leisure
type battery, maintained in good condition is
used. The battery should be kept topped up
at all times.
The battery should be positioned in the
designated vented compartment and
properly secured. When connecting the
battery, ensure that the correct polarity is
observed (black is negative and red is
positive) and that the terminals are securely
fastened. (Crocodile clips are not
recommended.)
Under normal circumstances it should not be
necessary to remove the battery other than
for routine inspection of terminals and
“topping up”.
The AC output of generators is often derived
from an AC alternator, rectified to DC then
inverted back to AC. In essence this means
the output sinewave may not be very smooth
and may not run sophisticated electronics
efficiently. Some of the new wave of gensets
are more sophisticated in their production of
a sinewave output and are more suited to run
electronic equipment.
If in doubt consult your genset dealer or
manufacturer for advice.
WARNING
Explosive gases may be present at the
battery. Take care to prevent flames and
sparks in the vicinity.
WARNING
Switch off all appliances and lamps before
disconnecting the battery.
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