Does Driving Charge House Batteries?

[GusinCA-JAY]

Hello!

Precept Prestige 36 H. 7.3 V8

When I drive, does the Ford engine charge the house batteries?

Can I run the fridge while I drive on the inverter?

I'm guessing no, but how about the front A/C?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Grumpy]

Do you mean the front roof a/c, then you need to run the geny, which will also run your fridge.

Yes the engine should be charging the house battery while driving and yes you can run the fridge off the inverter while driving also.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

The alternator in your coach can charge up to around 50 amperes. Mine did when the house batteries went dead. It went down as the battery took the charge.
If you have an emergency jump switch, the solenoid that closes when you push the button, also closes with the engine running to charge the house batteries.
Just thought it might help to know how it’s connected.

 

[GusinCA-JAY]

Excellent, thank you. I figured the fridge was ok, the TV too probably, but running the roof a/c requires a generator or plugged into shore power.

 

[Grumpy]

Excellent, thank you. I figured the fridge was ok, the TV too probably, but running the roof a/c requires a generator or plugged into shore power.

TV may not operate while the ignition in on. Not sure how the class "A"'s are, but here is a thread regarding the "C"'s and how to over ride it.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f5/tv-turning-off-with-ignition-on-11021.html

 

[Kevin Cooper]

Our Alante has an inverter that is for TV’s. Switch is in control panel. Works while driving, gen off. But we run the gen and keep fridge cold.

 

[youracman]

Our Alante has an inverter that is for TV’s. Switch is in control panel. Works while driving, gen off. But we run the gen and keep fridge cold.

I don't run the gen and still keep the fridge cold. Big ol' Whirlpool residential makes ice cubes while enroute via the inverter>powered by the coach batteries>which are easily kept charged by the big ol' Ford alternator. No generator involved. Maybe Alantes are not the same in that regard as the Precepts?...I plead ignorance.

 

[Kevin Cooper]

That’s because you spent the big bucks! Just kidding. My inverter is not powering the refrigerator, and I’m usually running both AC’s too. And sometimes, the water heater. I don’t like running with gas on. I turn it off.

 

[DonC757]

You definitely can not run the AC without running the generator or being plugged in. It won’t even turn on. You would need a huge inverter. Yes, your alternator will charge all batteries. House and chassis. While your driving the alternator will send enough “juice “ back to both charge your house battery and run the refrigerator at the same time.