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10-08-2018, 10:44 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: manteca
Posts: 4
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battery
Hi all just brought home our first TT 2weeks ago and went on short trip this past weekend. Is it safe to disconnect the battery cables from the battery after each trip? Also, is there a faster way to light up the water heater at the pilot? we have the Jayco flight 18.4SB.
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10-08-2018, 10:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,402
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If you're not going to be using the trailer for weeks between trips then I
would disconnect the battery.
__________________
2018 Jayco 28RLS
2012 F-250 6.2L 3.73
Equalizer Hitch
Yamaha 2400ISHC
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10-09-2018, 04:01 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Longwood
Posts: 1,263
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Randy,
Yes, you should disconnect the battery. There are “sneak circuits” like your propane and/or smoke detectors that will continue to draw juice until they drain your battery. Be sure and remember (or mark) which are your positive and negative cables.
As to your water heater, if not used in awhile it takes a little time to purge the air from the lines.
All best, and safe travels!
__________________
2018 Jay Flight 29RLDS
2019 F250 FWD gasser
ΣΧ, UCF '78
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10-09-2018, 05:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Waukesha
Posts: 608
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Order a rv battery disconnect switch. That way you just flip a switch not take a cable off.
__________________
Rod and Linda
SE Wisconsin
2018 330RSTS
2015 Silverado 2500 
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10-09-2018, 07:28 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 7,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodro123
Order a rv battery disconnect switch. That way you just flip a switch not take a cable off.
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X2. Alot easier than to disconnect and reconnect the cables each time.
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10-09-2018, 10:41 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 3,117
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wiscampsin
X2. Alot easier than to disconnect and reconnect the cables each time.
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X3. Just a twist on or off and you are good to go — or not.
__________________
2018 JayFlight SLX 212QBW
1999 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat SC, 7.3L PSD, 3.73
Transfer Flow 50 gal aux; Andersen WDH; Prodigy P2
😁 "If a man says he’ll fix something, he will. There’s no need to remind him every 6 months.
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10-09-2018, 10:51 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,782
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The disconnect switch is easy. I have been pulling the inline fuse at the battery. The parasite drains on the battery will drain it within a few weeks.
At our new home, I just plug the TT into a regular 110V 20 amp outlet.
As for the water heater, not sure which one you have. I suspect you have to manually light it. I would recommend first lighting the stove, until you get a good flame. Then light the frig and water heater. This purges most of the gas line first.
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10-09-2018, 11:26 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: manteca
Posts: 4
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Thanks for the response. Any brand battery disconnect switch recommended?
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10-09-2018, 04:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Lachute
Posts: 936
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Im using this one since 4 years , cheap, low profile fit on most Batt Box easy to install and reliable https://www.amazon.com/Post-Battery-...6TD9SA7RFTFHPE
__________________
Jayco Jayflight 29RKS 2019
Ford F 150 Ecoboost Tow Max 3.73 2014
Equalizer hitch 1000/10000
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10-09-2018, 06:06 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Calgary
Posts: 458
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Blue Sea is one well known brand. I use a cheapo rotary one from Princess Auto, which is similar to harbor freight. They aren't complex devices, so I'm comfortable using an off-brand.
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10-09-2018, 07:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 398
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jagiven
The disconnect switch is easy. I have been pulling the inline fuse at the battery. The parasite drains on the battery will drain it within a few weeks.
At our new home, I just plug the TT into a regular 110V 20 amp outlet.
As for the water heater, not sure which one you have. I suspect you have to manually light it. I would recommend first lighting the stove, until you get a good flame. Then light the frig and water heater. This purges most of the gas line first.
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Go with Jagiven on this. Instal the marine battery disconnect switch as it is easier than disconnecting a cable. If you light a stove burner first, the fridge and HWH will then fire up with no problem.
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10-09-2018, 09:13 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Elgin
Posts: 62
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I identified the propane and co2 detector fuse in the panel of 1 rig i had and pulled the fuse. Another rig i put wing nuts on the battery. You only need to remove either the negative or positive, not both. Now, my Eagle has a disconnect
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10-09-2018, 10:13 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 1,073
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To speed up lighting the hot water heater, I would try firing up one of the stove top burners briefly . That will help purge the lines of air and may helping lighting the water heater and also the fridge.
__________________
2017 Eagle 291RSTS
2017 Chevy Silverado Duramax 2500
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10-10-2018, 06:28 AM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Here is the one I purchased on Amazon. It is replacing the original one that I installed 6 years ago and finally died.
So, your next question probably is... "Which battery cable do I install the switch on?"... That question will bring at least 25 or more personal opinions.
Mine, well I decided to mount on the NEGATIVE cable. Only had to purchase a 6" small black automotive battery cable (Amazon) with a lug on each end to fit over the mounting bolts. Mounted it next to the frame bolt that the TT's battery's negative cable is connected to. (remove the ground bolt, connect the short black battery cable to the frame and the other end to the switch. Connect the batteries negative cable to the other end of the switch and mount the switch to the frame. DONE.
Everything has a PRO and a CON, so here you go....
PRO = Everything that is electrical (minus SOLAR) on the TT is disconnected as I opted to connect EVERYTHING electrical on the switched side.. TT, tongue jack and electric TT brakes are also on the switched side. My reason is that we do not travel unless the Fridge is on, so I have to have the battery disconnect switch in the on position. Also, we use the tongue jack when departing, so the power will be needed at that point.
CON = If you hook up everything on the switched side of the switch, and you forget to turn it on when traveling, you will not have an operational break away switch (TT's electric brakes).
POSITIVE cable hookup.
PRO = You can connect the Emergency Breakaway switch to the batteries POSITIVE terminal and the brakes will work, should they be needed. You can also connect the tongue jack to the batteries POSITIVE terminal and that will work.
CON - Kind-of like defeats the purpose of a TOTAL disconnect switch for storage, but I understand some may have an issue with remembering to turn on the switch when traveling. Although you could put the Battery disconnect switch on the POSITIVE cable and connect ALL the TT's electrical to the switched side which would ALSO disconnect everything on the TT.
I hope this helps...
Below is the new switch that I just purchased.
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
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10-10-2018, 06:45 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Sorry, I forgot to add the short battery cable purchased from Amazon.
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
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10-10-2018, 09:06 AM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Merrimack
Posts: 18
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If possible , just plug the tt into a 120 receptacle, with an adaptor, battery stays charged. no muss no fuss.
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10-10-2018, 09:15 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford ECO
If possible , just plug the tt into a 120 receptacle, with an adaptor, battery stays charged. no muss no fuss.
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The answer is "YES" and "NO".
It depends on the TT's battery charge controller. The newer models, but you still should check out the charging characteristics of the unit, the answer is more than likely "YES". They have "SMART" controllers. On the older units, some of the battery charge controllers are not "SMART" controllers and can boil your batteries (over charge). Also, should someone accidently pull the plug, maybe to use it for some other electrical item, and forget to replace it.. well you probably guessed it, dead battery in 2 weeks or less.
I am sure others will share their thoughts also
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
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10-10-2018, 12:39 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 398
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustang65
Here is the one I purchased on Amazon. It is replacing the original one that I installed 6 years ago and finally died.
So, your next question probably is... "Which battery cable do I install the switch on?"... That question will bring at least 25 or more personal opinions.
Mine, well I decided to mount on the NEGATIVE cable. Only had to purchase a 6" small black automotive battery cable (Amazon) with a lug on each end to fit over the mounting bolts. Mounted it next to the frame bolt that the TT's battery's negative cable is connected to. (remove the ground bolt, connect the short black battery cable to the frame and the other end to the switch. Connect the batteries negative cable to the other end of the switch and mount the switch to the frame. DONE.
Everything has a PRO and a CON, so here you go....
PRO = Everything that is electrical (minus SOLAR) on the TT is disconnected as I opted to connect EVERYTHING electrical on the switched side.. TT, tongue jack and electric TT brakes are also on the switched side. My reason is that we do not travel unless the Fridge is on, so I have to have the battery disconnect switch in the on position. Also, we use the tongue jack when departing, so the power will be needed at that point.
CON = If you hook up everything on the switched side of the switch, and you forget to turn it on when traveling, you will not have an operational break away switch (TT's electric brakes).
POSITIVE cable hookup.
PRO = You can connect the Emergency Breakaway switch to the batteries POSITIVE terminal and the brakes will work, should they be needed. You can also connect the tongue jack to the batteries POSITIVE terminal and that will work.
CON - Kind-of like defeats the purpose of a TOTAL disconnect switch for storage, but I understand some may have an issue with remembering to turn on the switch when traveling. Although you could put the Battery disconnect switch on the POSITIVE cable and connect ALL the TT's electrical to the switched side which would ALSO disconnect everything on the TT.
I hope this helps...
Below is the new switch that I just purchased.
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR |
Mustang I have the same switch and wired it to the negative side. Easy to do and I always turn the switch on as soon as I hook up the TV. I turn it off when we get home from a trip and it works great.
__________________
May The Gods protect our little camper from Ghosties, Ghoulies, Long Legged Beasties and Things That Go Bump In The Night.
An old Scottish Prayer.
2017 Jay Feather 23 RLSW TT. 2014 Silverado 1500 w/tow package. Curt WDH. Samlex M135 solar panel kit. Yamaha 2000 generator.
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10-10-2018, 01:01 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 293
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I used to just disconnect the battery when I had a single 12 volt deep cycle. Much to my dismay, the battery went dead due to innactivity. I purchased two 6 volt deep cycle golf cart batteries hooked up in series now when I disconnect, I keep it hooked up to a Battery Tender and that keeps the batteries at a constant state of charge.
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10-10-2018, 02:42 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jerdog
I used to just disconnect the battery when I had a single 12 volt deep cycle. Much to my dismay, the battery went dead due to inactivity.
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If your batteries are fully charged and they are in good condition (did not spend any time under 12.2 VDC) and have been properly maintained, they will last months without needing a charge. I had my original Interstate batteries sitting by my workbench and did not have a trickle charge or the SOLAR on them and after 3 months they were at 12.8 Volts. Up north I used to disconnect my batteries (fully charged) and they sat over the winter with no issues.
Are you sure that there is no parasitic drain on them? Possible a cell going bad?
Just wondering
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
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