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 hands-on use of digital multimeters, clamp meters, and battery testers. Students will practise measuring voltage, current, continuity, and voltage drops, along with hydrometer readings and battery checks to ensure system reliability in dusty or humid Ugandan settings.
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. It includes GFCI and AFCI safety devices, testing procedures, and spotting wiring issues that could lead to shocks, especially in wet tropical climates.
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 practical electrical repairs like cleaning terminals, choosing and crimping lugs, applying heat-shrink tubing. It reviews replacing busbars, fuses, breakers, and best methods for splicing and routing new wires to withstand vibrations and heat in African roads.
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 electrical safety for RV work, including isolating shore power, confirming no voltage, and safe handling of live circuits. It covers personal protective gear, arc flash risks, fire prevention, and using tools safely in high-humidity environments common in Uganda.
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 setups, including converter/chargers, alternator isolators, and solar controllers. Compares charging stages like bulk, absorption, and float, and how shore power or generators work with batteries, ideal for off-grid use in rural Ugandan areas.
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 selectionExplains 12V power distribution in RVs, covering fuses, breakers, busbars, and grounding. Includes chassis bonding, standard wire colours, and selecting wire sizes based on load, distance, and voltage drop for reliable performance on bumpy roads.
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 assessing house battery condition using voltage, gravity, and load tests. Covers finding parasitic drains, acceptable idle currents, isolation switches, and monitoring to avoid deep discharge and early failure in hot, variable climates.
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 troubleshooting flickering lights in RVs by checking voltage drops, loose connections, thin wiring, weak batteries, and converter problems. Provides step-by-step tests to determine if issues stem from DC or AC sources in everyday use.
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 DC basics for RVs, including flooded, AGM, lithium batteries, capacity in amp-hours, cold cranking amps, and battery management systems. Stresses safe handling, storage, and matching batteries to RV needs in tropical conditions.
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 recordsTeaches reading RV wiring diagrams, tracing circuits, and recording repairs. Emphasises updating diagrams after changes and keeping detailed service logs for future troubleshooting and warranty claims in local workshops.
Symbols and legend interpretationFollowing power and ground pathsTracing multi-branch lighting circuitsMarking modifications on schematicsCreating and storing service records
