Lesson 1Using test instruments: digital multimeter techniques (voltage, current, continuity), clamp meter use, voltage drop testing, battery load testers, hydrometer and battery-specific diagnosticsTeaches hands-on use of digital multimeters, clamp meters, and battery testers. You'll practise voltage, current, continuity, and voltage drop tests, plus hydrometer checks and battery diagnostics to verify system condition.
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, transfer switches, and inverter functions. Includes GFCI and AFCI safety devices, testing procedures, and spotting wiring issues that pose shock risks.
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 practicesHands-on electrical repairs including cleaning terminals, choosing and crimping lugs, using heat-shrink tubing. Covers replacing busbars, fuses, breakers, and best methods for splicing and routing new wiring.
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 mitigationKey electrical safety for RV work: lockout/tagout on shore power, confirming no voltage, safe handling of live 12V and 120V circuits. Covers personal protective gear, arc/fire risks, and safe tool use.
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 stagesRV charging systems overview: converter/chargers, alternator isolators, solar controllers. Explains bulk, absorption, float stages and how shore power or generators interact with batteries.
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 colours and gauge selection12V power distribution setup: fuse/breaker types, busbars, earthing systems. Includes chassis bonding, standard wire colours, and selecting wire size for load, distance, and voltage drop.
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 monitoringAssess house batteries using voltage, specific gravity, load tests. Diagnose parasitic drains, check standby currents, use isolation switches, and monitoring to avoid deep discharge and early failure.
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 approachDiagnose flickering lights by testing voltage drop, loose/corroded joints, thin wiring, weak batteries, converter faults. Step-by-step checks to pinpoint DC or AC causes.
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 limits12V DC basics for RVs: flooded, AGM, lithium batteries, Ah capacity, CCA, BMS functions. Safe handling, storage, and matching to RV loads and chargers.
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 recordsRead RV wiring diagrams, trace circuits, label changes, document repairs. Update schematics post-mods and keep service records for future diagnostics and warranties.
Symbols and legend interpretationFollowing power and ground pathsTracing multi-branch lighting circuitsMarking modifications on schematicsCreating and storing service records