Dead battery

[timsease]

I have a 27RDS X Lyte 5er. If I turn OFF the battery switch and leave the unit parked I get a dead battery in about 2 or 3 weeks. I recharge the battery, re install, and hook back up. I get a spark when I hook up the positive lead. REMEMBER, THE BATTERY SWITCH IS OFF. Is it the propane alarm? What am I missing?

[JRTJH]

The propane alarm, stereo, carbon monoxide alarm, remote control master unit, front jacks all remain "powered up" even with the battery cutoff switch in the off position. So, it's no wonder your battery is discharged in 2-3 weeks. Remember that completely discharging a deep cycle battery will shorten its life, so disconnecting a battery cable is one way to stop the drain. Yes, you will probably get a spark when reconnecting the positive terminal, since all of those parasitic drains will "power up" as soon as you touch the battery terminal.

Many of us have installed a "second battery cutoff switch" on either the positive or the negative battery terminal to physically disconnect the battery from the trailer 12 volt system. You can use either terminal, effectively either one will stop voltage flow through your battery and eliminate all drain on your system.

[timsease]

Thank you for the quick reply. Looks like a cut off switch will soon be installed.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by timsease

Thank you for the quick reply. Looks like a cut off switch will soon be installed.

Great move. I don't know of anything the switch provided cuts off except things you forgot to turn off. Had your problem and added both a cut off switch and 2nd battery. Shut down June/July August and Sept had nearly a full charge.

[Mike484]

That's why I'm glad I have electrical at our storage. I even run the AC just to try and keep it dehumidified.

[whitescrew77]

Here is a picture of what I did with the switch and extra battery in our toy hauler. I added the second battery, red disconnect on the left, 250 amp fuse with extra fuses, and a 12 volt positive bus to connect everything or add more stuff to it. I also secured the batteries down so they don't bounce around going down the road.

[whitescrew77]

Here is a better pic of the switch. It allows me to run either battery by itself or tie them together in parallel. I found all the components on Amazon except for the extra battery.

[Campy]

Yep my factory "shutoff" is far from a shutoff if it don't actually shut everything off! I just disconnect the battery for the winter and keep a tender on it, it's inside the shop so I can keep an eye on it.

[timsease]

How about this???? My 27 RDS comes with a battery switch. With some minor changes I can use the switch to completely isolate the battery from the RV Electrical System. Question is ,,,,,,
Does the switch have the Capacity to pass ALL the electrical load through it under normal operating conditions?I hate to buy a $25 dollar switch if it isn't really necessary.

[whitescrew77]

I did my setup because I wanted a true disconnect and also dual batteries. Yes the switch it up to the job. It is rated up to 32 volts with a continuous amp load of 350 amps. I put only a 250 amp fuse in there and that is probably way too big in amperage. I know my camper doesn't pull that hard in amperage with any 12v load, but I also didn't want to fool with the factory disconnect switch for warranty purposes. If my rig was older, sure I'd consider digging down to it to rewire it. Also I only had to buy a few components to do it as I already had the tools, time, and wire to make it happen.

[vampress_me]

So I have the elementary, idiotic question that goes along with this. When our battery cut off is switched to off, the front jacks don't work. The switch has to be on for them to work. So ours must be wired different? And, how do they do that to begin with? Are there literally some of the wires they just bypass the switch with and connect directly to the battery in the big cable? I've always assumed wire cable went to switch, they cut the cable to attach to both ends of switch and then run to battery. Looking in the battery area doesn't really tell me much as far as where the wire cable goes.

[theasphaltrv'er]

Guess they screwed up when the wired our little 26sab cuz the cut off switch cuts everything off but the front landing gear. Suits my fancy wired thata way.