While the “chassis” batteries start your RV’s engine, it’s the “house” batteries that power the interior lights, vent fans, water pump and other 12-volt equipment. Through the use of an inverter, which converts 12-volts DC into 110-volts AC, they also power the coffee maker, TVs, microwave oven and other household appliances.
Like the rest of our equipment, we take good care of our batteries. But after 6 years of service, we were ready for a new set. We decided to replace the house and chassis batteries at the same time and thoroughly clean and paint the battery tray, too.
We chose to splurge on a set of Lifeline AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries. They’re direct replacements for our old 6-volt lead-acid deep cycle batteries, with a bank of four, wired in series-parallel. But they’re completely sealed, accept a charge faster and perform better in every way. They’re just extremely expensive!
Since we completed the job in the Phoenix area (where golf carts are everywhere) and there was still some life left in all of our old batteries, we posted them for sale on Craigslist. They were gone in under an hour. The $100 we received from that sale helped to offset a little bit of the cost of new batteries, plus it saved us from having to lug them to a recycling center.
Since it was four years ago, before we started making how-to RV videos, we’ll be demonstrating the process without actually doing the work. But you’ll clearly see how to do this job, which isn’t too challenging for a handy DIY RVer.
If you’re interested in splurging for an awesome (but very expensive) set of AGM batteries like the ones we bought, you can find them on Amazon by clicking the following link. Just be sure you’re sitting down before you look at the prices! ;-)
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john
Saturday 3rd of June 2023
i have a 1989 citation motor home i pulled the house battery and forgot to mark the wires i have 3 white plus a (green that comes from the chassis for charging) plus 2 black one marked with red tap were do the white and green wire go NEG OR POS
E.J.
Friday 31st of March 2023
have a 2020 coachman Freelander 29kb and it seems like the alternator is not charging the house batteries. With engine running, no power going to the solenoid to activate power coming from alternator to house batteries. solenoid test good, there seems to be no 12v power going to the solenoid.
CHUCK RAGUSA
Tuesday 7th of June 2022
I REPLACED STARTER RELAY ON MY 1996 FLEETWOOD TIOGA MONTARO. IMUST HAVE GOT WIRES MIXED UP. COULD YOU HELP ME GET MY SANITY BACK? DO YOU KNOW WHICH WIRES GO WHERE? THIS RELAY IS ON RADIATOR WALL BY HEADLIGHT. THIS IS ON A FORD E350 CHASSIS
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 7th of June 2022
Hi Chuck. Sorry, we don't have any experience with that specific issue/repair, and don't want to steer you in the wrong direction. Our suggestion would be to post your question over on the forums at iRV2.com. There's one specifically for Fleetwood owners, so you can search the forum to see if someone else has already posted a solution... or you can sign up (it's free) and post your question. Here's a link right to the Fleetwood Owners forum: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f107/
Hope you get an answer!
ozeas silva
Sunday 27th of March 2022
Hi everybody! I got a 1990 fleetwood southwind RV but with any kind of batteries, and looks like the place under hood is for 3 batteries. I have no idea if the batteries is 6 or 12 volts, and what kind battery for starting and for house battery. the engine is Chevrolet P30. Any help? thanks ozeas Silva
TheRVgeeks
Sunday 27th of March 2022
Hi Ozeas! Do we understand correctly that your Southwind motorhome has no batteries in it at all? Or does it not have HOUSE batteries? The chassis battery for starting the engine will always be 12 V. If you have a starting battery in place already, and have a spot for three house batteries in addition, that almost certainly is set up for 12 V batteries. That’s because 6 V batteries can only be used in pairs, since they need to be wired together to create the 12 V. For example we have four house batteries wired in series-parallel to create the equivalent of two large 12 V batteries. Any other information you can provide would be helpful.
Barbara Rediker
Sunday 3rd of October 2021
I have the house battery under the hood but I also have a small outside compartment with a battery in it. What is it for? I have a1995 jayco. Class c
TheRVgeeks
Sunday 3rd of October 2021
Hey Barbara. That battery under the hood is you engine (also called “chassis”) battery. It’s what’s needed to start the engine and to run the headlights, wipers, and other “automotive” electrical loads.
The other battery you found should be your “house” battery. That’s what powers the RV electrical loads. So the interior lights, water pump, vent fan(s), etc.