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 teaches the practical application of digital multimeters, clamp meters, and battery testers. Students will carry out voltage, current, continuity, and voltage drop tests, along with hydrometer checks and battery-specific diagnostics to verify system health in RV setups.
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 testingThis lesson introduces 120V AC distribution in RVs, covering shore power inlets, transfer switches, and inverter functions. It includes GFCI and AFCI protection, correct testing methods, and spotting wiring faults that could lead to shock hazards in everyday use.
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 practicesThis lesson covers hands-on electrical repair methods, such as cleaning terminals, choosing and crimping lugs, and applying heat-shrink. It reviews busbar, fuse, and breaker replacement, plus best practices for splicing and routing replacement wiring in RVs.
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 mitigationThis lesson details electrical safety practices for RV work, including lockout/tagout of shore power, confirming zero energy, and safe approaches around live 12V and 120V circuits. It reviews PPE, arc and fire risks, and safe tool and test lead usage.
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 stagesThis lesson explores RV charging systems, including converter/chargers, alternator charging via isolators, and solar charge controllers. It compares bulk, absorption, and float stages, and explains shore power and generator interactions 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 colors and gauge selectionThis lesson explains 12V distribution setup, including fuse and breaker types, busbars, and grounding methods. It covers chassis bonding, standard RV wire colour codes, and selecting appropriate wire gauge based on load, length, 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 monitoringThis lesson explains assessing house battery health using voltage, specific gravity, and load tests. It covers parasitic draw diagnosis, acceptable standby currents, isolation switches, and monitoring tools to avoid chronic 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 approachThis lesson focuses on diagnosing flickering RV lights by examining voltage drop, loose or corroded connections, undersized wiring, weak batteries, and converter faults. It teaches step-by-step testing to determine if issues are DC or AC related.
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 limitsThis lesson provides 12V DC basics for RVs, covering flooded, AGM, and lithium battery types, capacity ratings, CCA, and basic BMS functions. It stresses safe handling, storage limits, and matching batteries to RV loads and charging systems.
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 recordsThis lesson covers reading RV wiring diagrams, tracing and labelling circuits, and documenting repairs. It emphasises updating schematics after changes and keeping accurate service records for future diagnostics and warranty work.
Symbols and legend interpretationFollowing power and ground pathsTracing multi-branch lighting circuitsMarking modifications on schematicsCreating and storing service records
