Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-13-2020, 11:48 AM   #1
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 59
Winnebago Adventurer Electrical Training Recommendations

I have some back yard mechanic wrenching capabilities, so I’m able (and willing) to fix a lot of things myself. However, the area on my RV that I avoid is the electrical. For instance I installed the Winegard TOGO and rather than try to figure out how to tap into the 12V on the fridge, I bought a converter box and used that for electrical. I’m looking to get a little smarter about my electrical system without being overwhelmed. I know there’s a LOT of electrical classes out there, but I don’t know how much I need to know and how much is just going to go over my head.

Does anyone have any beginner classes they’ve taken or would recommend that would meet my needs?
__________________
Purchased 10/1/2019
2019 Winnebago Adventurer 30T
USMC Retired
Dlvgolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2020, 01:19 PM   #2
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 992
I'm not sure if you are asking about the mechanical aspect of attaching and running wire or if you want to know more about how the 12V DC system in a RV works.

For info about how the batteries, 12V system, charging and discharging etc:

Excellent basic info:

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
The 12volt Side of Life Part 2

For more extensive detail for dry camping, inverters, solar etc:

RV Electrical
__________________
Al & Sharon
2006 Winnebago Journey 36G
https://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/
al1florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2020, 01:25 PM   #3
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by al1florida View Post
I'm not sure if you are asking about the mechanical aspect of attaching and running wire or if you want to know more about how the 12V DC system in a RV works.

For info about how the batteries, 12V system, charging and discharging etc:

Excellent basic info:

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
The 12volt Side of Life Part 2

For more extensive detail for dry camping, inverters, solar etc:

RV Electrical
Thanks! I’ll check them out.
__________________
Purchased 10/1/2019
2019 Winnebago Adventurer 30T
USMC Retired
Dlvgolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2020, 06:44 PM   #4
Winnebago Master
 
powercat_ras's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
The main challenge you'll have is that Winnebago no longer publishes the coach 12 volt electrical wiring diagrams to owners, so you'll have some challenges trying to attach to the Winnebago OEM wiring. Non 120 Volt AC wires are all labeled with a letter code, except for some of the very largest gauge wires, and you can still download the letter code decoder document, but some of the descriptions of the letter codes are pretty obtuse.
__________________
Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
powercat_ras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2020, 07:31 PM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
cbeierl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,817
Here's all the wiring diagram Winnebago has made available for your coach (sadly minus the 12V wiring diagram as stated earlier):
Wiring Diagrams

__________________
Chris Beierl

2005 Winnebago Vectra 36RD
cbeierl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2020, 07:32 PM   #6
Winnebago Master
 
cbeierl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,817
And here's the Wiring Identification Guide which will identify all of the 12V wiring via the number/letter coding on each wire.
__________________
Chris Beierl

2005 Winnebago Vectra 36RD
cbeierl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2020, 12:26 AM   #7
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 3,574
Another big help is a wire tracer:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADHQCIO...t_b_asin_title

You can use it in identifying a wire, after disconnecting all power. The signal is inserted into one end and can then be traced along its length.

You should also have a decent digital multimeter. One with a clamp-on ammeter is nice to have. With a clamp-on meter, you can read amps without disconnecting the wire. Just make sure it will read both DC and AC amps. Many only read AC amps. They're a little more expensive than the typical multimeter but one can be had in the $30 -$35 range:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dc+clamp+...nb_sb_ss_i_4_7
__________________
Bob C
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
Workhorse Chassis
BobC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2020, 07:48 PM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,336
Simple: Watch a few basic videos on how to use a Voltmeter and DC probe checker. Then buy these rather inexpensive tools and start probing around.

Note: The voltmeter #1 & #2 benefits to the beginner are how to read voltage; and how to test for continuity (the beeping noise you hear to check for good grounds). That's all you really need to know in the beginning. So don't let the other functions in the Voltmeter mix you up!

* The DC probe is also great for finding a 12V source. Just hook the wire to a GOOD ground and start probing. If it's hot the light in the probe will light; and if it does not light you either have an "open" or you are touching a ground or a non-ground.

* Every RV appliance (for the most part) is it's own RV-subsystem... switched by a relay... so you should pay attention to how a common Bosch 4 or 5 pin relay works.

Note: Relays are just low current switches (small 12V wires for On or Off functions) that pass low or high current to a load device. Note: A solenoid is just a larger wires will tip you off as to the power source and load device.

This is always true: V=IR and P=IV ...so you really don't need much more.

As for fixing RV-subsystems, like your water heater, there are videos you can watch that will help you DIY.

The truth is you can only learn so much from a book alone, but with a book and a video, and the drive to DIY, you will become very capable over time.
imnprsd is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
adventurer, electrical, vent, winnebago


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Electrical system recommendations starks1401 Winnebago Class B Motorhomes 4 05-04-2020 07:19 PM
Information, training, and questions Koja Running Gear, Axles, Brakes, Wheels and Tires 5 11-13-2018 07:36 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.