Minnie Winnie 31K Leveler Question

[QC91]

Hi, we have *2020 Minnie Winnie 31K, Winnebago. Recommend that we have the RV Engine running we use the Leveler. I wanted to ask we have the RV Pluge in the Shore Power. Do we still need the Engine Running? Can't we just she the * Shore Power to charge the Battery? Any Help would be Appreciated

[Fat Fiat]

Good Morning QC91 Unfortunately, I do not have a definitive answer to your question. I know that it is a bit frustrating when you have a question that no one seems to share....with all of the really bright and helpful people on this site, you would think that somebody would have the answer. I believe that the mfg recommendation is to have the engine running. For what it is worth, we run the engine when we are leveling. I suppose if gas goes to $10 a gallon we might rethink that decision. Happy Travels.

[be happy]

I believe that the leveler pump is run by the engine battery. The running of the pump will drain a not so new battery, thus if you keep motor running the battery will be charging at the same time its being used. The plugging in to shore power normally does not charge the engine battery just the house battery.

It would also be helpful to other folks if in the signature block you would put your coach info like model year that kind of stuff. And yes there are great folks here to help, sometimes post get lost in the mix.

Good Luck safe travels

[tmelsonjr]

Originally Posted by be happy

I believe that the leveler pump is run by the engine battery. The running of the pump will drain a not so new battery, thus if you keep motor running the battery will be charging at the same time its being used. The plugging in to shore power normally does not charge the engine battery just the house battery.

It would also be helpful to other folks if in the signature block you would put your coach info like model year that kind of stuff. And yes there are great folks here to help, sometimes post get lost in the mix.

Good Luck safe travels

[Morich]

Several things make it really important to have the engine running first before doing the really power hungry items like levelers and slides. Basic thing but many miss the issue!

Think of using the battery alone to move the jacks or slide but the battery is just a touch old or not well charged, so you hit it with a big power hog like pulling in the slide and jacks. So then you've left starting the engine with a pretty near dead battery and no alterante but trying to use the boost switch and that may tie the even more depleted coach batteries in! Whoops! Tow truck time?

A better plan?
When we start the engine, there is a mode solenoid which automatically ties coach batteries and start batteries together and the engine alternator is putting out higher than normal voltage of around 14Volts. So instead of feeding the voltage from the start battery alone, you will have it PLUS the alternator PLUS the coach batteries all tied together and that makes the pump and slide motors, etc. all just so much happier and you will also be far less likely to wind up with them all dead and needing a jump start to get the RV engine going again!

If one were always plugged into shore power one would have that charging going on but the converter is a much slower, lower voltage in many cases, compared to the engine alternator.
So many times we will not be plugged in, so getting into the correct habits, will save you a ton of grief at some point in the future!