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Old 05-11-2016, 10:30 AM   #1
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Considering Battery Cutoff Switch

Hi All,

This weekend will be the conversion from the OEM hybrid battery to a true deep-cycle battery.

As long as I have the electrics apart, I was thinking of including a battery cutoff switch (I've got 2 kicking around).

I never considered one before since the TT stays plugged in whenever we are not camping.

Is there a real advantage to totally shutting down the trailer? Or am I better off leaving the systems up and the converter's maintenance charger connected?

Thanks,
Mike
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Old 05-11-2016, 10:36 AM   #2
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The only time I use mine is if I have to leave my rig at a dealers. Last time that happened the batteries were ruined from sitting discharged for a month.
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Old 05-11-2016, 10:46 AM   #3
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Considering the idle load (fridge, radio, USB charger, CO detector...) the battery will be flat within a month. In fact, the extension cord got disconnected over the winter, so the OEM battery took a full discharge!


So, should I include a battery disconnect and go out a couple of times during the winter to 'top up' the battery? Or set up some form of 'pilot light' that shows the trailer has 120VAC? And look for that at least once a week?
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Old 05-11-2016, 11:07 AM   #4
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Hi Mike

A battery disconnect switch is one of the best things you can add to your TT. It allows you to isolate the battery(s) from the TT's electronics/load. As Norty1 mentioned if you need to leave your TT at a dealer, you can disconnect your batteries so that the TT's parasitic loads (CO Alarm, Fridge Circuit, radio..) do not kill you battery in a week. It also comes in handy when trying to isolate or work on electrical problems on the TT.

Should you leave the TT hooked up to shore power when not in use? I would... the TT's smart charger will keep the battery topped off... and you do not have to worry about over-charging.. just check the batteries water level once a month as part of your battery maintenance program.

Don
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Old 05-11-2016, 11:28 AM   #5
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Mike,
You can buy/make a remote alarm for when and if your 110VAC power to the TT get interrupted. OR, pull your 12VDC fuses in the TT power distribution center. That will eliminate any loads from the TT should the power cord detach again. I would go with designing a remote wireless power loss alarm

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Old 05-11-2016, 12:34 PM   #6
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Mike,
You can buy/make a remote alarm for when and if your 110VAC power to the TT get interrupted. OR, pull your 12VDC fuses in the TT power distribution center. That will eliminate any loads from the TT should the power cord detach again. I would go with designing a remote wireless power loss alarm
Don
Remote/wireless would be overkill. I work in (or at least visit) my barn/shop at least once-a-week over the winter. So if I plug a lamp into one of the outlets on the TT and leave it on. The fact the light is out will cause me to investigate. At most 3 days on the battery.

The results are in:
  • I will install a battery cutoff, if just to make it safer and easier to service/diagnose/replace parts of the 12VDC system.
  • Power fail notification: A relay with it's 120VAC coil connected to the trailer and a 120VAC lamp powered via the NC contacts would work nicely. The lamp comes on if the trailer looses AC power. The lamp can be inside the barn. Possibly positioned so it shows through a window that faces the house.
Thanks for the help!
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Old 05-12-2016, 08:44 AM   #7
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Mike since you already have the switches go ahead and install one.. IF I did not have a solar system I would just pull the fuse on the battery...
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Old 05-12-2016, 08:54 AM   #8
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Mike since you already have the switches go ahead and install one.. IF I did not have a solar system I would just pull the fuse on the battery...
Yup, I am. If just to make repairs to the 12V system easier & safer.

I'll let you know Monday how many times I electrocute myself.
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Old 05-12-2016, 09:44 AM   #9
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I'll let you know Monday how many times I electrocute myself.
Keep your welders mask on for those arcs.

Don
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Old 05-14-2016, 09:20 PM   #10
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So guys......I have an uninstalled battery disconnect and two 12V batteries.
How do I install it and using which wires? I'm totally lost on this one. Thanks.

Happy RVing,
Jeff
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Old 05-14-2016, 09:25 PM   #11
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I have two 12v batteries, but there is only 1 ground cable. I will install my switch in that ground cable when I get a switch. Well, actually I will then have two, shorter, ground cables with the switch between them.
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Old 05-15-2016, 06:09 AM   #12
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So guys......How do I install it and using which wires? I'm totally lost on this one. Thanks.

Happy RVing,
Jeff
Here is a picture to give you a better idea on how to wire in the second battery and the disconnect switch

Don
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Old 05-15-2016, 07:36 AM   #13
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Here is a picture to give you a better idea on how to wire in the second battery and the disconnect switch

Don
Mustang- Thanks. It sure looks easy. I will do that.

Happy RVing,
Jeff
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Old 05-16-2016, 10:39 AM   #14
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Well, here it is Monday and I didn't throw any sparks!


That was caused by the fact that I got NOTHING done on the RV this weekend!


New phones and service plus helping SWMBO clear out her sister's apartment meant no time to play outside.


We'll try again Tuesday if the grass hasn't grown to long...
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Old 05-23-2016, 02:11 PM   #15
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The grass did get out-of-hand and more dealing with the SIL's apt.


Finally, on the 21st I had the chance to swap the battery. Couldn't find the cutoff switch. (I swear I left it in the pile by the shelving near the middle of the barn.)


This coming Memorial Day Weekend looks like 3-4 days of boondocking. We'll see how the new battery behaves!
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Old 06-12-2016, 06:20 PM   #16
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Battery cut off is a fairly cheap upgrade. Here are the steps that prompted me to finally do it. (1) Remove locking cable from around battery box. (2) Remove nylon strap and battery box cover. (3) Remove wing nut from negative terminal (4) Drop wing nut into battery box. You can probably figure out the rest! No regrets at ALL since installing mine.
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