Battery disconnect ideas

[mikeo11]

I would like to install a battery disconnect on my 2017 27 ft White Hawk. Any ideas out there?
Also, any ideas on the best way secure my battery from being stolen? Thanks.

[RoyBraddy]

I like the four position BLUE SEA HD Battery switches... OFF-BANK1-BOTH-BANK2 then back to OFF again...

This allows me to select ONE or BOTH my battery banks or totally disconnect...

There is no sure way to keep batteries from being stolen. All you can do is slow them the down the best you can and maybe they will go for the easier neighbors batteries...

I have motion detection lights that come on when someone comes up around either side of my trailer...

Gotta love the metal battery boxes with rotary latch key lock built-in type locks. Padlock and hasps are way to easy to cut off.

Roy Ken

[abarkl]

Currently using wingnuts on the negative terminals of both batteries connected in parallel. Fairly easy and certainly cheap.

[rgchak]

I know that this will sound to simple for anyone to take seriously but I installed a simple 30 amp toggle switch (on/off) on the side of the junction box attached to the frame. The ground wire from the coach (white wire) to one side of the switch and the other side of the switch has the ground wire (white wire) going to the battery. The switch acts the same as removing the ground wire from the battery. 30 amp is more then adequate since the highest rated fuse in my 27DSRL is 20 amp for the slide motor. Those large red battery isolating switches, that people like to use, are rated to handle up to 500 amps for the automotive starter draw.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by rgchak

I know that this will sound to simple for anyone to take seriously but I installed a simple 30 amp toggle switch (on/off) on the side of the junction box attached to the frame. The ground wire from the coach (white wire) to one side of the switch and the other side of the switch has the ground wire (white wire) going to the battery. The switch acts the same as removing the ground wire from the battery. 30 amp is more then adequate since the highest rated fuse in my 27DSRL is 20 amp for the slide motor. Those large red battery isolating switches, that people like to use, are rated to handle up to 500 amps for the automotive starter draw.

One of the major issues with toggle switches is that they are not designed for the arching that takes place while connecting and disconnecting from the battery. This is why those main low voltage switches are designed to handle the high amperage. They have a different contact material that keeps the contacts from deteriorating with use. A lot of people look at the toggle switch and it's rating is for 20 or 30 amps, but the rating is for 110VAC ratings and not DC ratings.

For RV battery disconnects, I would recommend that you purchase switches designed specifically to handle the possibility of a high amperage disconnect. They will last a lot longer than a regular toggle switch and eliminate the possibility of disintegrating should a higher load go across the contacts.

Don

[M&A]

I installed this one - Marinco 701 Battery Disconnect Switch https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
"Key" is removable. I have only one battery but so far so good. These are common on boats and should be on TTs.

[need-a-vacation]

Check my mods link for my Blue Sea Mini install on the battery box.

Working great so far!!!

[ALJO]

And never have your emergency brake disconnect switch disconnected from the battery during travel.
Its "illegal".

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by ALJO

And never have your emergency brake disconnect switch disconnected from the battery during travel.
Its "illegal".

Add to that it is DANGERIOUS!!!

Don

[mitchmitchell]

Originally Posted by M&A

I installed this one - Marinco 701 Battery Disconnect Switch https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
"Key" is removable. I have only one battery but so far so good. These are common on boats and should be on TTs.

Where did you mount that switch? I've been trying to decide where to put mine. Does it need to be protected from the weather? I was originally thinking of mounting it to the frame but decided that might not be the best way to do it -- maybe mount to the side of the battery box?

Mitch

[need-a-vacation]

Hopefully this works quoting the post of my battery switch install. Was working and wasn't able to find where in my mod thread it was when I posted earlier.

I only have one battery, so this may not work if you use two. All depends on how much room the battery tray has. Our 32 battery tray isn't wide enough for a 27 & 24 battery box.

SO I finally added a switch to the battery!!! Ordered a group 27 battery box, and a Blue Sea Mini Series single on/off switch. Just enough room to mount the switch in the box with a group 24 battery. I just cut a 2x8 to fit next to the battery to keep it from sliding.

I mounted the switch on the back side, facing the front of the trailer. Wanted to have it somewhat hidden so if someone decides to mess with the trailer, or worse, try to borrow it, they don't have any 12v power unless they find the switch! It is hidden pretty good unless you really look for it! Used a 2-1/2" hole saw, and filed the little bit needed to fit the switch (specs show 2-5/8" hole needed).

What you would see IF you could squeeze between the trailer and the battery box! Lol



From the side.



Hope this helps!

[M&A]

Originally Posted by mitchmitchell

Where did you mount that switch? I've been trying to decide where to put mine. Does it need to be protected from the weather? I was originally thinking of mounting it to the frame but decided that might not be the best way to do it -- maybe mount to the side of the battery box?

Mitch

Ended up mounting it key-up on the cross member next to the battery box.

Edit - I really like the above suggestion; very nice looking and I considered it. I didn't go that route since I'm on the hunt for some type of locking battery box.

[eldermike]

So that your disconnect will not become the source of an unplanned thermal event it's electrical ratings should be greater than the wires attached to its terminals. The only exemption to this is a breaker or a fuse.

[mark.nowak]

Here is a picture of my battery disconnect and here is a link to the battery lock i am using, hope this helps

http://www.b-drvbatterylock.com


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tslarson]

I put mine on the other end of the wire where it enters the electrical panel. Out of the weather, and nobody can mess with the switch when I am away from the trailer.

[wanderlust]

I installed a HELLA 100A Battery Switch on the side of my battery box. I like this because it has a key I can take out (I got a spare in incase I lost it).

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by M&A

I installed this one - Marinco 701 Battery Disconnect Switch https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
"Key" is removable. I have only one battery but so far so good. These are common on boats and should be on TTs.

Same here on my White Hawk 28DSBH. Installed it with some self-tapping screws. I put it just left of center on the A-frame cross section so it's tucked under the trailer cap, and I used the negative cable for disconnecting power. Man, what a pleasure it is not to have to open the battery box or get out a wrench every time I store the vehicle. Just flip the switch and go! And as M&A said, you can remove the key/switch-head if you think someone might flip it on just to ruin your day...

[Seann45]

Why not just pull the master fuse at the battery box? Much easier and CHEAPER

[Mikey]

To each his own. Pulling the fuse might be cheaper, but I don't find it easier than flipping a switch. I also like the fact that the big switch is a quick visual reminder as I leave the storage lot. "Did I remember to kill the power? Yup, I can see it from here." A small convenience, no doubt, but one I'll enjoy for years. For $28 it seemed worth it to me.

[mitchmitchell]

I finally installed ours on the side of the battery box today.