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Just BeClaus
10-05-2018, 03:17 PM
i have a 2019 Laredo with a battery switch so I think... My past 5th wheels when the battery switch is turned off EVERYTHING is turned off.. Well not so with this rv the sliders are on along with the leveling is this normal? I would like to have it all turned off when in storage. Is this wired wrong or should I add another switch to make it so....

tech740
10-05-2018, 03:35 PM
That’s normal. It also lets safety equipment stay on like the gas detector. I personally don’t like it and added a switch in the main battery line.

JRTJH
10-05-2018, 03:38 PM
Your trailer is wired correctly. The battery cutoff switch disables some of the coach but does not disable the remote control unit, the slides, the leveling system/tongue jack/landing gear or the braking system. Additionally, it does not disable some of the battery powered safety and convenience systems like the radio memory/clock/backlight, the CO monitor/fire detector/LPG detector. Those items will drain a typical single GP24 or GP27 battery in about a week, sometimes less.

Local150
10-05-2018, 08:45 PM
Your trailer is wired correctly. The battery cutoff switch disables some of the coach but does not disable the remote control unit, the slides, the leveling system/tongue jack/landing gear or the braking system. Additionally, it does not disable some of the battery powered safety and convenience systems like the radio memory/clock/backlight, the CO monitor/fire detector/LPG detector. Those items will drain a typical single GP24 or GP27 battery in about a week, sometimes less.
I am putting a switch in my 5ver,, this is my 2nd trailer and I want it to disconnect everything for 2 reasons 1,, save the battery while in storage,, and 2,, the place I store it requires everything g to be dead or remove battery,, think it's a fire safety thing but not sure

Just BeClaus
10-06-2018, 02:53 AM
Thank You everyone. I also would like everything turned off, looks like I'm going down to the marine store and install another switch....

ChuckS
10-06-2018, 07:01 AM
That’s gonna be a lot of current across that battery disconnect switch. The slides and LG draw the most current when operating. I’d leave them wired as is if it were me. Possible can of worms down the road if rewired

sourdough
10-06-2018, 07:17 AM
I think the one I put on mine was rated at 500 amps which should be well above what the slides etc. pull.

ChuckS
10-06-2018, 08:00 AM
Just don’t see the need. 500 amp switch. That’s large. Anyway to each his own.

travelin texans
10-06-2018, 08:11 AM
Just don’t see the need. 500 amp switch. That’s large. Anyway to each his own.

Not big enough, too much draw, too big???
If you want to disconnect EVERYTHIG you'll need to rewire your original disconnect, add another that's not "too big, too small, but just right" or disconnect the batteries OR deal with dead batteries in about a week.

Local150
10-06-2018, 11:15 AM
That’s gonna be a lot of current across that battery disconnect switch. The slides and LG draw the most current when operating. I’d leave them wired as is if it were me. Possible can of worms down the road if rewired
I respectfully disagree,, the switch I am using Came from work,, it's new and actually for a piece of heavy equilmpment,, that is 24 volt and high amperage,, cant remember the amps and it is out at my shop a few miles from home but will check it,, but positive its plenty heavy

chuckster57
10-06-2018, 12:32 PM
If I remember correctly, slides and LG are run through 30A thermal reset circuit breakers. 500A is a bit overkill IMO.

sourdough
10-06-2018, 01:04 PM
500A is the way it came and it was virtually identical to the one I was replacing. I think the lowest rated one I found online as a virtual disconnect was like 265 A. The higher rating doesn't cost any more and something in a 30-50A was not only hard to find, but too light IMO. The higher amperage rating can't hurt anything, the lower one can.

JRTJH
10-06-2018, 02:13 PM
4AGW wire is rated at 100 amps, so any switch "should" be rated at least that high. On the "distant side" of the switch will be the "auto reset" breakers for the slides, landing gear and house power. Typically those breakers are 40 or 30 amps.

This is my opinion, many others may disagree, and that's OK with me, I'll "salute and do it my way anyway".... The switch that's connected to the 4 AGW cable should be capable of handling everything the cable can deliver. Otherwise, the switch (if it's rated lower than the cable) will become the weakest link. ALL switches, because they open/close will arc. Because of this, they need to be rated higher than the cable connected to them.

I'd say that using a cutoff switch rated at anything higher than about 125 amps is sufficient. Using one rated at 1000 amps wouldn't hurt because the circuit is protected by the "downstream auto reset circuit breakers" YMMV

mazboy
10-06-2018, 02:17 PM
disconnect the batteries if you want ALL to be disconnected.

notanlines
10-06-2018, 02:37 PM
Here's one used every day in marine use: 350 amps, fool proof.
https://www.iboats.com/shop/blue-sea-systems-battery-switch-single-circuit-on-off-with-alternator-field-disconnect-e-series.html?cm_mmc=&msclkid=de165025edd01c1f449e0b9cd5bc5395&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping&utm_term=4581871112700734&utm_content=All%20Products%3AShopping
$55.00, how can you go wrong? The switches are all over the market.

flybouy
10-06-2018, 02:59 PM
I believe the high amperage ratings are to handle the amperage of a starter for a high compression engine such as racing engines and diesels.

mhbell
10-06-2018, 05:39 PM
A simple Battery Knife switch to disconnect the battery from the system is $18 at walmart.

madmaxmutt
10-06-2018, 06:00 PM
Just don’t see the need. ...


I don't understand this comment. Do you think he should leave it connected and let the battery go dead?

chuckster57
10-06-2018, 06:37 PM
I think he’s referring to the 500A rating.

madmaxmutt
10-06-2018, 07:09 PM
I think he’s referring to the 500A rating.I thought he said earlier to leave it as is. I don't get it.

flybouy
10-07-2018, 05:32 AM
I installed this one about 16 months ago. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018WS4VPQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just drilled the lid of the battery box with a hole saw and sealed with black RTV silicone. A short battery cable, connected ground to switch. All in for under $30. YMMV

fourfourto
10-07-2018, 06:30 AM
I have been using a harbor freight one in my 442 and rv for 10 years works great.

JRTJH
10-07-2018, 06:47 AM
I also use a HF battery cutoff switch, mounted on the negative cable and have used it on two trailers (moved it from the Springdale to the Cougar). It is installed in a non metallic switch box and has worked well for at least the past 8 years. Here's a photo of it in the Springdale (with 12 VDC batteries). The current installation is with 6 VDC batteries in the Cougar.

Bnrc73
10-11-2018, 08:05 AM
What's wrong with a blade switch on the positive side of the battery to completely cut power to the whole unit. That's what I have. 5er can sit for a couple months without significant power loss to the battery.

OregonDuck
10-11-2018, 09:59 AM
What's wrong with a blade switch on the positive side of the battery to completely cut power to the whole unit. That's what I have. 5er can sit for a couple months without significant power loss to the battery.

Not an electrician, but I believe connecting the disconnect to the neg terminal is a safety measure. If you have the disconnect on the positive, and you touch it to anything on the trailer (which would still be grounded to the battery) you could complete the circuit resulting in a dangerous situation (i.e. if you were wearing a watch, which touched the disconnect and trailer, you just put yourself inline of the circuit). Same reason they always say to disconnect the negative terminal to any car battery first. All this said, if the disconnect is well shielded, etc there would obviously be less chance of a connection occurring.

Local150
10-11-2018, 11:37 AM
That’s gonna be a lot of current across that battery disconnect switch. The slides and LG draw the most current when operating. I’d leave them wired as is if it were me. Possible can of worms down the road if rewired
Mine is a switch that is rated for 12 or 24 volts and good for 500 amps. Pretty sure I am safe

Bnrc73
10-11-2018, 01:52 PM
Thanks Duck. That makes sense. I'm switching mine to the negative side tomorrow.. ten minute job.

Local150
10-11-2018, 02:57 PM
My 5ver is in a heated bldg. for winter , put a marine type switch in thought it was 300 amp but it's a 500 put it on negative side,, storing in side, I wanted every thing to disconnect,, no chance of anything malfunctioning and starting a fire and also running battery down, my old 5ver had a cheaper knife type disconnect, but didn't like the exposure of it all

flybouy
10-11-2018, 03:36 PM
My 5ver is in a heated bldg. for winter , put a marine type switch in thought it was 300 amp but it's a 500 put it on negative side,, storing in side, I wanted every thing to disconnect,, no chance of anything malfunctioning and starting a fire and also running battery down, my old 5ver had a cheaper knife type disconnect, but didn't like the exposure of it all

To me the marine grade is worth the few xtra $$. Reasoning, they are, or should be vapor resistant and will contain the arc and prevent an ignition source for explosion. That way no worries if battery is boiling out hydrogen gas or a propane line is leaking.

Local150
10-11-2018, 04:11 PM
To me the marine grade is worth the few xtra $$. Reasoning, they are, or should be vapor resistant and will contain the arc and prevent an ignition source for explosion. That way no worries if battery is boiling out hydrogen gas or a propane line is leaking.
Agreed,, got mine at Napa 32 $

Tejastwister
10-11-2018, 04:12 PM
Added cutoff switch to my battery box. Also, added voltage indicator and
accessory port for solar.

JKS11
10-11-2018, 08:52 PM
That’s gonna be a lot of current across that battery disconnect switch. The slides and LG draw the most current when operating. I’d leave them wired as is if it were me. Possible can of worms down the road if rewired
Aggreed! I am going to disconnect all electrical when i store it, ......JUST..... Disconnect the positive side of the battery.....no need for another swich. Take the wire off the battery post. Zip tie it off somewhare else. When you need it , screw it back on.

xrated
10-12-2018, 09:11 AM
Using a switch or disconnect with a higher current rating than is needed will not cause any issues. Using fuses with a higher current rating than what they should be, may cause serious issues. And remember this, disconnect switches, like a battery isolation switch will have ratings for both voltage and current. If it is rated at let's say 50 amps at 12VDC, and you are using it at a higher voltage, the current rating will be less. Direct current (DC) will always have a tendency to "arc" when it is open if there is a load on it, so remember, when opening one, try to have the least amount of load on it as possible with the situation you are in...AND, operate the switch very quickly...in other words, don't lolly gag around when you are opening it, make it snap open. Just some random thoughts on the topic and things that you may already know, but it never hurts to remind...or enlighten!

tomd
10-12-2018, 01:40 PM
my opinion,
My Keystone Sprinter, like Just Beclause said, has a disconnect which does NOT disconnect the slide outs, leveler, or remote control items. I researched and decided that is good for me, I usually turn switch off but can still open slide and inspect now and then in storage.
The issue is of course, not everything is off, and I accidently left the patio light on (which remote turns on separate from the manual switch). Also, if you do any electrical work, disconnect is a must.

Safest isolation method is to disconnect the battery on the (-) negative terminal. Either remove cable or install a second switch. I recommend doing this for long storage periods (over month). Not much draw down in short time but you will need to charge up about every 6 weeks or so.

Frederick
10-12-2018, 02:19 PM
I have a 2014 Alpine had to put full cutoff switch on positive cable

apachewolf
10-13-2018, 02:32 PM
Since the wiring is only good for 30A there is no need for a 500A switch. And the slides don't draw 100A. But here is what you can do. The power switches are on the positive side of the battery lead the may still be circuits that are "hot". The best way to overcome that is to simple re-wire the switch the cut the power on the grounf or negative lead. That way once activated there is NO power flowing in any circuit, which is really what you want. And a 30A switch from a auto supply store will work fine.

Happy camping.