Unable to Locate 12v Disconnect Switch

The Waits Family · 07-08-2019, 07:20 AM

Greetings all. First time Keystone owner and first time posting. Thanks in advance for your time to reply and help out a fellow rv'er.

Just took ownership of a 2019 Keystone Sprinter Campfire 27FWML. I have not been able to locate a 12v disconnect switch. If there is not one, do you recommend installing one? I realize I could just take the battery cables off but wanted to do it right.

Many thanks and I look forward to contributing in any way I can.

MarkEHansen · 07-08-2019, 07:52 AM

Welcome to the forum and RV family!

The battery disconnect switch usually looks like this:

https://www.amazon.com/WATERWICH-12-...dp/B07H7ZW4L1/

If installed, it will usually be in the forward pass-through compartment.

Note that if installed, the battery disconnect switch doesn't really disconnect all loads from the battery - some will stay connected, like CO detectors, stand-by power on RV electronics, tongue jacks, etc.

If storing the RV without shore-line power for more than a few days, you really need to disconnect the battery - I take mine home and store it on a battery maintainer, like the Battery Tender - to keep it charged and ready to go.

travelin texans · 07-08-2019, 08:21 AM

If you add one add it the the main + or - cable so it completely disconnects all 12v power, as mentioned if you have/find the factory disconnect it does not totally disconnect.

The Waits Family · 07-08-2019, 12:30 PM

Thank you all for the information. I will thoroughly look in the pass through area for the switch. If unable to find one, I will install per "travelin texans" instructions. Good to know that even if there is a factory switch, it does not fully disconnect everything so this might be needed regardless.

Again, thanks!

GeekSquadOfUn · 07-08-2019, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

...
Note that if installed, the battery disconnect switch doesn't really disconnect all loads from the battery - some will stay connected, like CO detectors, stand-by power on RV electronics, tongue jacks, etc.

Well, on my new 2019 315RLS, it disconnects everything. Which is really what it should do.

I can confirm. Nothing draws power.

apachewolf · 07-14-2019, 11:08 AM

[QUOTE=MarkEHansen;348790]Welcome to the forum and RV family!

The battery disconnect switch usually looks like this:

https://www.amazon.com/WATERWICH-12-...dp/B07H7ZW4L1/

If installed, it will usually be in the forward pass-through compartment.

Note that if installed, the battery disconnect switch doesn't really disconnect all loads from the battery - some will stay connected, like CO detectors, stand-by power on RV electronics, tongue jacks, etc.

If storing the RV without shore-line power for more than a few days, you really need to disconnect the battery - I take mine home and store it on a battery maintainer, like the Battery Tender - to keep it charged and ready to go.[/QUOTE

I beg to differ on this. The disconnect will disconnect everything EXCEPT the electric jack. That is why I reversed the wires so that the NEGATIVE (-) cable goes to the switch. That way ALL power is removed.

Happy Camping.

MarkEHansen · 07-08-2019, 01:12 PM

Is that a disconnect switch like I pictured above, and installed by the manufacturer? Does your camper have an RVIA sticker on the side of it?

GeekSquadOfUn · 07-08-2019, 01:21 PM

New Cougar, installed by Keystone and yes I have the sticker. It is stock.

MarkEHansen · 07-08-2019, 01:27 PM

Then I think that trailer is in violation of RVIA requirements. @JRTJH just posted this information about an hour ago. I don't remember which thread it was. Perhaps he will respond to this one too?

**JRTJH** · 07-08-2019, 06:13 PM

Here is the original RVIA statement/announcement about the certification requirement for CO monitors in ALL RV's. It's dated October, 2004, so it's been around for 15+ years. The example they give in the news release, about a camper owner running a generator and asphyxiating people sleeping in the adjacent trailer who were not using a generator is a prime example of why the RVIA requirement for a WORKING CO monitor in all inhabited RV's (without regard to the battery cutoff switch disabling the device) is so important.

The news release:

RVIA: CO Detectors Required on all RVs (10/25/2004)

Story by Sherman Goldberg

All RVs carrying the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association's (RVIA) seal will be required to have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed effective Jan. 1.

The RVIA board determined at its meeting Sept. 26 at the St. Regis Hotel, Aspen., Colo., that the matter was so important that it took the unusual step of circumventing the traditional manner in which standards are established to issue the regulation.

Usually regulations are reviewed by the Standards Steering Committee and subjected to scrutiny within the industry before they go into effect.

"There have been a few cases where people using generators were hosing CO into a neighbor's RV who didn't have a detector," said Bruce Hopkins, vice president of standards and education. "The board thought the best way to deal with that was to require all RVs to have CO detectors. It was a safety issue that needed to be addressed right now."

Previously, CO detectors were required in motorhomes, truck campers and towables that had generators or were prepped for generators to be installed.

Hopkins estimated that 150,000 and 175,000 towables currently are sold without CO detectors installed.
https://www.rvbusiness.com/blog/rvia...n-all-rvs.html

LHaven · 07-08-2019, 01:27 PM

For periods when I would want to disconnect the battery completely, I would also want to take it in the garage and leave it on a trickle charger, so I never bothered with a total shutoff switch (and have no use at all for the shutoff switch that comes with the RV).

MarkEHansen · 07-08-2019, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHaven

For periods when I would want to disconnect the battery completely, I would also want to take it in the garage and leave it on a trickle charger, so I never bothered with a total shutoff switch (and have no use at all for the shutoff switch that comes with the RV).

Do you really use a trickle charger? Or are you just using that term to refer to a battery maintainer? A trickle charger can easily over charge a battery, as it doesn't stop when the battery is fully charged. I've always been told trickle chargers are bad.

MarkEHansen · 07-08-2019, 01:28 PM

Here is the post: http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...2&postcount=20 FYI

Jseverence · 07-11-2019, 10:38 AM

I would think it would be a safety issue for the propane gas detector not to be functioning at all times.

LHaven · 07-11-2019, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jseverence

I would think it would be a safety issue for the propane gas detector not to be functioning at all times.

It's not functioning when the battery has been removed in storage.
It's not functioning when the battery hasn't been removed in storage, but the propane detector has drained the battery by continuing to operate.
So what's the problem with it not functioning when the 12V cutoff switch is enabled? This switch is not meant to be enabled during actual use of the rig.
You may want to review all of the previous posts in the thread.

Jseverence · 07-11-2019, 11:10 AM

I did read the past posts. In my opinion it is left operational to catch any possible LP leaks. So hopefully it would alarm someone before enter the trailer. Yes it would drain the battery down and becomes self defeating as the alarm will stop working. Its a catch 22 situation.
PS when I store my unit for a long period of time, I disconnect the hoses to the Propane bottles and remove the battery. For the short term I top off the battery weekly with my generator.

Local150 · 07-14-2019, 07:46 AM

I installed a switch so it shuts everything off,, which is the way I wanted it when I store it. I understand why the factory may not be able legally to do that, for liability issue

LHaven · 07-08-2019, 01:35 PM

Naw, it's just what I call it. Actually, it's a pretty sophisticated unit that does everything from gel cells to car batteries. Not like the Harbor Freight wall-wart that I keep in my horse trailer.

MarkEHansen · 07-08-2019, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHaven

Naw, it's just what I call it. Actually, it's a pretty sophisticated unit that does everything from gel cells to car batteries. Not like the Harbor Freight wall-wart that I keep in my horse trailer.

I see. By using the term, you may convince those that don't know the difference that they actually want a trickle charger

LHaven · 07-08-2019, 06:52 PM

I certainly understand the position as stated. However, it seems to me to be a bit of a reach to interpret that as requiring bypasses for DC shutoff switches. One would not normally expect people to be inhabiting an RV with the shutoff switch turned to off, any more than one would expect people to be inhabiting that same RV with no battery, and the second set of people would have the same problem.

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