Jayco Precept Owner's Manual page 86

Section 6: Electrical System
Dry Camping
House auxiliary and chassis batteries should be fully charged prior to dry camping. When
disconnected from 120-volt shore or generator power (i.e., while dry camping or tailgating)
all electrically operated appliances and accessories must be used sparingly. Typically, a deep
cycle battery has an amp-hour rating of 75-100 amps.
During this period these appliances and accessories are being powered by the house auxil-
iary batteries directly, and/or indirectly through the inverter/charger. If excessive amounts
of power are drawn from the house auxiliary batteries, they will become deeply discharged.
Permanent battery damage will occur after repeated deep discharge cycles.
Battery Inspection and Care
Check the level of electrolyte in each battery cell once a year.
Add distilled water as needed to reach the split-level marker on each battery. Keep batteries
and battery terminals clean and tight.
Check the external condition of the batteries periodically. Look for cracks in the cover and
case. Make sure battery vent caps are tight and replace them if they are cracked or broken.
Battery storage instructions
To prevent house auxiliary battery discharge when your motorhome will not be connected
to shore power for extended periods of time, it is recommended you turn "off" the 12-volt
battery disconnect switch, or "main power switch," and disconnect each battery bank at the
negative battery cable running to the chassis frame.
During storage, it is important to check battery voltage at least every two weeks and to re-
charge them as needed. If you remove the batteries from your motorhome protect them from
accidental shorting and keep them in a cool, dry, well ventilated area.
Battery Replacement
If house auxiliary batteries need to be replaced, only deep cycle batteries of the same
size and type should be installed.
Do not reverse the positive and negative battery cables. Doing so will blow the reverse
polarity fuses that protect the power converter.
For more information
Contact the battery manufacturer for more information on the house auxiliary batteries. Re-
fer to your Chassis Guide for information pertaining to the chassis batteries.
12-Volt Battery Disconnect
The 12-volt battery disconnect switch is typically located near
the entrance door. This momentary switch controls a solenoid
which connects or disconnects the house batteries. The switch
lights up red when turned on.
When engaged the battery disconnect solenoid supplies battery
power to all accessories connected to the house 12-volt fuse
panel. The solenoid must be engaged for the 12-volt house
electrical system to operate.
The battery disconnect feature should be used to disconnect the
motorhome from house battery power during periods of storage or during maintenance.
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