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 practical use of digital multimeters, clamp meters, and battery testers. Students will practise voltage, current, continuity, and voltage drop tests, plus hydrometer checks and battery-specific diagnostics to confirm system health and prevent common electrical failures in RVs.
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 distribution in RVs, including shore power inlets, transfer switches, and inverter functions. Covers GFCI and AFCI protection, proper testing methods, and recognising wiring faults that can create shock hazards, with emphasis on New Zealand safety standards.
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 practicesCovers hands-on electrical repair methods, including cleaning terminals, selecting and crimping lugs, and using heat-shrink. Reviews busbar, fuse, and breaker replacement, plus best practices for splicing and routing replacement wiring to ensure long-lasting fixes in RV environments.
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 mitigationDetails electrical safety practices for RV work, including lockout/tagout of shore power, verifying zero energy, and safe methods around live 12V and 120V circuits. Reviews PPE, arc and fire risks, and safe use of tools and test leads, tailored to Kiwi workshop conditions.
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 stagesExplores RV charging systems, including converter/chargers, alternator charging through isolators, and solar charge controllers. Compares bulk, absorption, and float stages, and shows how shore power and generators interact with batteries for optimal performance in New Zealand's variable conditions.
Converter/charger operation checksAlternator charging and isolatorsSolar charge controller setupBulk, absorption, and float behaviourDiagnosing under- and over-chargingLesson 612V distribution: fuse/breaker types, busbars, grounding, chassis bonding, common wiring colours and gauge selectionExplains 12V distribution architecture, including fuse and breaker types, busbars, and grounding schemes. Covers chassis bonding, common RV wire colour codes, and selecting proper wire gauge based on load, length, and voltage drop for safe, efficient systems.
Fuse and breaker styles and ratingsBusbars and distribution blocksGrounding and chassis bonding pointsRV wire colour 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 monitoringExplains evaluating house battery health using voltage, specific gravity, and load tests. Covers parasitic draw diagnosis, acceptable standby currents, isolation switches, and monitoring tools to prevent chronic discharge and premature failure in RV batteries.
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 approachFocuses on diagnosing flickering RV lights by checking voltage drop, loose or corroded connections, undersized wiring, weak batteries, and converter faults. Teaches step-by-step testing to isolate whether issues are DC or AC related, common in Kiwi camping setups.
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 limitsProvides 12V DC fundamentals for RVs, including flooded, AGM, and lithium battery types, capacity ratings, CCA, and basic BMS functions. Emphasises safe handling, storage limits, and matching batteries to RV loads and charging systems for reliable travel.
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 recordsCovers how to read RV wiring diagrams, trace and label circuits, and document repairs. Emphasises updating schematics after modifications and maintaining accurate service records to support future diagnostics and warranty work in New Zealand.
Symbols and legend interpretationFollowing power and ground pathsTracing multi-branch lighting circuitsMarking modifications on schematicsCreating and storing service records
