[Guy]

The interesting thing here is I leave my merge switch in the 'OFF' position all the time and my chassis and house batteries charge.  I've only used the merge switch once, or twice when my chassis batteries needed a boost back when I first got my Newell.....back then I was only using it every other month for trips and I had not yet learned I had 4 different switches that when turned off would completely isolate not only the house batteries, but the chassis batteries from any parasitic draws.  Now I live in it full time and when dry camping I can isolate the chassis batteries completely so they barely discharge over a couple of weeks......my solar panels keep the house batteries topped off, and recharge them quickly each day when dry camping.

Thanks Clarke. I know there is an isolation switch in the outside cabinet next to drivers door for  the house batteries, and a chassis battery isolation switch in the engine bay passenger side firewall. Todd was able to store the coach all winter and it fired up in spring.

---

Guy,

The answer to your question is "it depends"

Some Newells are wired so that the merge switch is energized any time the engine is running. Some are not. Some have a trickle or echo charger that will automatically charge the chassis batteries if the house batteries are above a predetermined voltage.

You will have to play around with a voltmeter and some snooping to understand YOUR particulars.

Thank you. The more I learn, the more I don't know . I can't  tell you how much I appreciate you Guru's....