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 shows how to use digital multimeters, clamp meters, and battery testers in real RV work. Students will try measuring voltage, current, continuity, and drops, along with checking batteries with hydrometers to ensure the system is working well.
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 how 120V AC power works in RVs, covering shore power connections, inverters, and switches. It explains GFCI and AFCI safety devices, how to test them, and spotting wiring problems that could cause shocks.
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 practical ways to repair electrical parts in RVs, like cleaning connections, choosing and attaching lugs, using heat-shrink tubing. It also shows how to replace busbars, fuses, breakers, and best ways to fix or run new wires.
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 safe practices for electrical work on RVs, including shutting off shore power properly, checking for no power, and handling live circuits carefully. It covers protective gear, fire dangers, and safe tool use to avoid accidents.
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 how RV charging systems work, including converters, alternator charging with isolators, and solar controllers. It compares charging stages like bulk, absorption, and float, and how shore power or generators affect 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 the setup of 12V power distribution in RVs, covering fuses, breakers, busbars, and grounding. It includes chassis bonding, standard wire colors, and choosing the right wire size based on 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 monitoringThis lesson teaches how to check house battery condition using voltage, gravity tests, and loads. It covers finding hidden drains, acceptable idle currents, isolation switches, and tools to monitor batteries and stop early failures.
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 why RV lights flicker, checking for drops, bad connections, thin wires, weak batteries, or converter problems. It teaches step-by-step tests to find if the issue is 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 gives basics of 12V DC in RVs, covering flooded, AGM, lithium batteries, their capacity, CCA, and simple BMS functions. It stresses safe handling, storage rules, and matching batteries to RV needs 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 recordsThis lesson covers reading RV wiring diagrams, following and labeling circuits, and recording fixes. It emphasizes updating diagrams after changes and keeping good records for future checks and warranty claims.
Symbols and legend interpretationFollowing power and ground pathsTracing multi-branch lighting circuitsMarking modifications on schematicsCreating and storing service records
