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01-25-2015, 04:36 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 363
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Adding battery disconnect switches
So, according to the service department, the batteries dying in three days is a common problem and they recommended disconnecting the batteries. Disconnecting the batteries would be time consuming, so I am planning to add a few more battery disconnect switches to ensure ALL power is off when I am storing the RV. When I looked at the wiring I found one 4 gauge line (top picture) coming off one of the positive terminals, and another 2 gauge line (bottom picture) jumping off both positive terminals going into the RV. Since the gauges are different, I plan to get two disconnect switches and install them in these two lines. When I am done I will have a total of three battery disconnect switches.  I would hope after this install all power will be off. Any comments are welcomed.
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Dan & Connie
2021 Chevy Silverado High Country Dually
2017 RW390
2015 Polaris RZR 900
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01-25-2015, 02:38 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101
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You only need one switch. You just have to configure it that way.
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Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
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01-25-2015, 03:22 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,986
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I replaced mine with a marine switch that is made for 2 batteries. Will handle all the amperage you can put through it as it is made to handle requirements from a starter. Overkill for this application.
The switch has positions for 1,2 or all or Off. That way i can use one battery and keep the other in reserve if needed. I re wired so that ALL power from the batteries goes thru the switch. I have had coach sit for 6 weeks and no problems bringing in slides or using jacks.
I have 2- group 29 interstates and will be adding a slide from MorRyde.
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 Vaughan & Tracy 2013 RW 36RL, 2013 F350 DRW CC, 2016 Focus. MorRyde IS, MorRyde pinbox, disc brakes, Comfort Ride Hitch. "Life is to be embraced, Grab it with both arms ! "
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01-25-2015, 04:15 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by atom ant
You only need one switch. You just have to configure it that way.
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Correct! Find the one positive cable coming off your batteries and put the disconnect there. That's all you need.
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2014 Redwood 38BR, Fulltiming
2013 Ford F-350 CCSB 6.7L 4x4 SRW, B&W Companion Hitch, Air Bags
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01-25-2015, 11:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,054
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You guys are so smart 'bout dat lectric stuff !
Thanks !
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Ours: '11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT followed closely by '14 Jeep 4 dr Wrangler.
Hers: '13 Explorer Sport - AWD 365hp twin turbo scooter!
Previous: '13 Ford F350 CC Platinum and '13 38GK
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01-26-2015, 03:50 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 325
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The Battery switch in mine only disconnects the charger
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01-26-2015, 06:08 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 363
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A little confused
The battery disconnect that is presently in the RW has positive lines going through it. Yet when I have looked on line at battery disconnect switches they show hooking up to the negative terminal and warn not to hook up to the positive terminal  So which is it??
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Dan & Connie
2021 Chevy Silverado High Country Dually
2017 RW390
2015 Polaris RZR 900
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01-26-2015, 06:28 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danrn
The battery disconnect that is presently in the RW has positive lines going through it. Yet when I have looked on line at battery disconnect switches they show hooking up to the negative terminal and warn not to hook up to the positive terminal So which is it?? |
Technically you could just disconnect the negative terminal and do the trick. All your trying to do is break the full circle connection between positive and ground/negative.
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2014 Redwood 38BR, Fulltiming
2013 Ford F-350 CCSB 6.7L 4x4 SRW, B&W Companion Hitch, Air Bags
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01-26-2015, 11:18 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 370
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwg
Technically you could just disconnect the negative terminal and do the trick. All your trying to do is break the full circle connection between positive and ground/negative.
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Actually, that might be the best solution to the re-wire issue!! You would probably need some wire of the correct colour (and terminals) but it would avoid some shuffling of wires on the buss/circuit breaker block.
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2013 Redwood 36RL, 2011 F-450, Sat Internet, Sat TV
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01-27-2015, 07:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 918
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This is how I've done a disconnect to the battery for my vehicles when storing them. The only component I'm not sure of is what effect if any the onboard converter will have when you're plugged in and forget to reconnect the batteries.
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2014 Redwood 38BR, Fulltiming
2013 Ford F-350 CCSB 6.7L 4x4 SRW, B&W Companion Hitch, Air Bags
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01-27-2015, 08:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 370
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Based on my experience I don't think the converter will have a problem. On our last 2 RV's I've only connected the batts when traveling or boondocking, when on shore power I disconnect the batts and run the 12V requirements off the converter. The battery water boil off is virtually zero.
If the RV is sitting for a long period (3-4 months) without the batts connected I connect them up for a day or so before we move to ensure that they are fully charged, I haven't checked but I don't suspect that they lose much charge over the period.
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2013 Redwood 36RL, 2011 F-450, Sat Internet, Sat TV
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01-28-2015, 01:47 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 486
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How about one of these on each battery? I used one many years ago, and they work great.
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2013 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW 6.7 Cummins
2017 SOB
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01-28-2015, 01:55 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 747
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I guess they would work if they were easily accessible. They won't be if they are under the battery box covers that are screwed down. Normal batteries release hydrogen gas when charging. Better keep them covers on tight. Pretty sure battery disconnect switches on the frame would be easier to access.
Chris
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01-28-2015, 03:49 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 363
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r time soon
I guess they would work if they were easily accessible. They won't be if they are under the battery box covers that are screwed down. Normal batteries release hydrogen gas when charging. Better keep them covers on tight. Pretty sure battery disconnect switches on the frame would be easier to access.
Chris
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X2 on the battery disconnect switch being mounted on the frame.
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Dan & Connie
2021 Chevy Silverado High Country Dually
2017 RW390
2015 Polaris RZR 900
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01-28-2015, 06:20 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 464
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What a PITA! When truck is hooked up, everything has to line up just right to open the hatch to access this damn thing. Love yanking my batteries in and out 2x per year too!
Have a sailboat with the 2 battery selector... going to install that if it ever warms up! Dodged Snowmagedden the other day!
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2016 F-350 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually Diesel, 2013 38BR Office config with all options and upgrades but Ceiling Fan and Ice Maker.
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01-28-2015, 07:15 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 918
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Another option would be to put the battery disconnect in the forward section of the basement. I don't think that would be too difficult.
__________________
2014 Redwood 38BR, Fulltiming
2013 Ford F-350 CCSB 6.7L 4x4 SRW, B&W Companion Hitch, Air Bags
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01-28-2015, 07:38 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 464
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Would it be illegal to install the switch in the driver's side propane locker?
Failing that it could to installed in the basement on the driver's side forward wall next to the Level Up components.
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2016 F-350 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually Diesel, 2013 38BR Office config with all options and upgrades but Ceiling Fan and Ice Maker.
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01-28-2015, 08:18 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,407
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BradPAjax
Would it be illegal to install the switch in the driver's side propane locker?
Failing that it could to installed in the basement on the driver's side forward wall next to the Level Up components.
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I don't think I'd want any type of spark around those LP tanks
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SOB "The RV Wiseguy"
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01-28-2015, 08:34 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 918
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny
I don't think I'd want any type of spark around those LP tanks
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I second this, I smell propane in my LP tanks areas all the time for various reasons. Mostly due to bad hoses which have finally been replaced, twice...
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2014 Redwood 38BR, Fulltiming
2013 Ford F-350 CCSB 6.7L 4x4 SRW, B&W Companion Hitch, Air Bags
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01-29-2015, 02:08 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,986
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Just as a comment - marine switches are spark proof as they are approved to be used in the engine compartment. One of the reasons I used it.
Having said that, I wish I would've thought to remote mount it. Only comment I would make is when you make the cables to go to the switch, make them quite a bit larger diameter than what is currently there as you are going a longer distance.
The other change I am making this year is to put in a MorRyde slide out battery tray and re-do the rats nest of factory wiring.
__________________
Vaughan & Tracy 2013 RW 36RL, 2013 F350 DRW CC, 2016 Focus. MorRyde IS, MorRyde pinbox, disc brakes, Comfort Ride Hitch. "Life is to be embraced, Grab it with both arms ! "
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