Lesson 1Using test instruments: digital multimeter techniques (voltage, current, continuity), clamp meter use, voltage drop testing, battery load testers, hydrometer and battery-specific diagnosticsThis lesson covers hands-on application of digital multimeters, clamp meters, and battery testing tools. Students conduct tests for voltage, current, continuity, voltage drops, hydrometer readings, and specialized battery checks to ensure system reliability in Eritrean conditions.
Safe multimeter setup and rangesMeasuring DC and AC voltageCurrent and clamp meter techniquesVoltage drop testing on circuitsLoad testers, hydrometers, and BMS dataLesson 2AC system basics: 120V shore power, inverter operation, transfer switches, GFCI/AFCI protection and testingIntroduces 120V AC power distribution in RVs, covering shore power connections, inverter functions, transfer mechanisms, and GFCI/AFCI safeguards. Includes testing procedures and spotting wiring issues that pose shock risks, adapted for Eritrean power sources.
Shore power inlets and cordsTransfer switch operation checksInverter modes and pass-throughGFCI and AFCI function and testingNeutral, ground, and bonding rulesLesson 3Electrical repair procedures and parts: terminal cleaning, crimping/lug selection, heat-shrink, busbar replacement, fuse and breaker replacement, wiring repair best practicesFocuses on practical electrical fixes, such as cleaning terminals, choosing and crimping lugs, applying heat-shrink tubing. Details replacing busbars, fuses, breakers, and optimal methods for splicing and routing new wires in RV setups suitable for Eritrea.
Cleaning and restoring terminalsSelecting lugs and crimping toolsHeat-shrink and strain relief useReplacing busbars, fuses, and breakersSplicing and routing replacement wiringLesson 4Safety procedures for working on RV electrical systems: lockout/tagout for shore power, working with live 12V and 120V circuits, PPE and fire risk mitigationOutlines safety protocols for RV electrical tasks, including isolating shore power, confirming no energy, and handling live 12V/120V lines. Covers protective gear, arc/fire hazards, and safe tool usage, emphasizing precautions in Eritrean environments.
Lockout/tagout for shore powerVerifying circuits are de-energizedSafe work around live 12V and 120VRequired PPE and insulated toolsFire risk, extinguishers, and egressLesson 5Charging systems: converter/charger operation, shore power interaction, alternator charging, solar charge controllers, absorption vs. bulk/float stagesExamines RV charging mechanisms, including converters, alternator isolators, and solar controllers. Compares charging phases like bulk, absorption, float, and interactions with shore power or generators, relevant for solar-rich Eritrean settings.
Converter/charger operation checksAlternator charging and isolatorsSolar charge controller setupBulk, absorption, and float behaviorDiagnosing under- and over-chargingLesson 612V distribution: fuse/breaker types, busbars, grounding, chassis bonding, common wiring colors and gauge selectionDescribes 12V power distribution in RVs, covering fuses, breakers, busbars, grounding, and chassis bonds. Includes wire color standards and gauge choices based on load, distance, and drop, tailored for Eritrean RV modifications.
Fuse and breaker styles and ratingsBusbars and distribution blocksGrounding and chassis bonding pointsRV wire color conventionsWire gauge and voltage drop limitsLesson 7House battery health and parasitic draw testing: state-of-charge measurement, resting voltage interpretation, amp-hour testing, battery isolation switches and monitoringTeaches battery health assessment via voltage, gravity, load tests, and draw detection. Addresses standby currents, isolators, and monitors to avoid discharge, with tips for hot Eritrean climates affecting battery life.
Open-circuit and resting voltage checksUsing amp-hour and load testsLocating and measuring parasitic drawsUsing battery disconnect and isolationBattery monitors and shunt installationLesson 8Common causes of flickering lights: voltage drop, poor connections, undersized wiring, weak battery, converter issues — diagnostic approachDiagnoses flickering lights by examining drops, connections, wiring size, batteries, converters. Provides step-by-step tests to pinpoint DC/AC causes, using affordable tools available in Eritrea.
Differentiating AC and DC lightingChecking for low system voltageInspecting connectors and terminationsEvaluating converter output stabilityCorrecting undersized or damaged wiringLesson 912V DC fundamentals: battery types (flooded, AGM, lithium), capacity (Ah), CCA, BMS basics, safe handling and storage limitsCovers 12V basics for RVs, including battery varieties, capacities, CCA, BMS. Stresses handling, storage, and matching to loads/chargers, considering Eritrean heat and availability.
Flooded, AGM, and lithium comparisonUnderstanding Ah, CCA, and ratingsSeries and parallel battery wiringBasic BMS roles and protectionsSafe handling, charging, and storageLesson 10Documentation and electrical schematics: reading RV wiring diagrams, tracing circuits, marking repairs and maintaining service recordsInstructs on reading diagrams, tracing circuits, documenting fixes. Highlights updating schematics and records for diagnostics, warranties, using simple tools in Eritrean workshops.
Symbols and legend interpretationFollowing power and ground pathsTracing multi-branch lighting circuitsMarking modifications on schematicsCreating and storing service records