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Old 03-16-2013, 05:43 PM   #1
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When should you disconnect your battery?

Hey everyone again I have another quick question for you. When should I disconnect my battery on my TT? When I was at the dealer today picking up my TT I swear the guy said whenever Im not using it but I think he was trying to say something else. Please help...lol

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Old 03-16-2013, 05:56 PM   #2
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Believe it or not the battery can die in about one to two weeks if not disconnected due to the constant drains such as LP/CO detector and radio. Your dealer was right IMO.
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Old 03-16-2013, 06:03 PM   #3
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Yes, the dealer is right. If you do not have an easy to get to "cut off" switch for your battery, get one.
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Old 03-16-2013, 06:15 PM   #4
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One of the best / most useful mode is to install a marine grade battery disconnect switch to make it easy to disconnect the battery. They are very easy to hook up. They are especially useful if you use a power tounge jack, as they battery won't die.

If you do use one, make sure you never forget to turn it back on when you tow as the trailer brakes use the battery in event of a disconnect. I always put the key for mine on the hitch so I have to move it to hook up the stinger.
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Old 03-16-2013, 07:42 PM   #5
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Our 2011 Jayflight 22FB TT had a Progressive Dynamics 3-stage converter. Not sure yet about our new TT, which we bring home Wednesday this week. The 3-stage means it will go into a float charge mode when the battery reaches full charge, and thus will not cook the battery. For this reason, during the summer camping season I leave the battery connected and the TT plugged into shore power at the house. During the winter storage season, I remove the battery and bring it home to be kept on a Battery Tender float charge. If you will be keeping your TT at home, you may consider something like this.
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Old 03-16-2013, 09:11 PM   #6
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So how do we know if it will "cook" our battery? I left my camper plugged in all winter (last used our TT in early December). I don't want to leave it plugged in if its going to harm the battery! Thanks guys!
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Old 03-16-2013, 09:23 PM   #7
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Every time my trailer goes into storage (which is whenever we are not camping) I pull the batteries bring them home and put them on the tender. Takes 2 min to pull them, I know they are being taken care of, and most importantly I don't run the risk of battery theft while in storage.
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Old 03-16-2013, 09:25 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by ArkJayco View Post
So how do we know if it will "cook" our battery? I left my camper plugged in all winter (last used our TT in early December). I don't want to leave it plugged in if its going to harm the battery! Thanks guys!
You can only cook a battery with out sufficient water in the cells. Pop the caps and check the fluid level once a month or more, if low add distilled water --- DISTILLED water is essential, not tap water.
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Old 03-16-2013, 09:25 PM   #9
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Every time my trailer goes into storage (which is whenever we are not camping) I pull the batteries bring them home and put them on the tender. Takes 2 min to pull them, I know they are being taken care of, and most importantly I don't run the risk of battery theft while in storage.
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Old 03-16-2013, 10:19 PM   #10
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If your converter is a 3-stage model, it will have (1) full charge, (2) trickle charge and (3) float modes. Your owners manual will say if it has 3 stages. As clubhouse says, low electrolite (water) levels in the battery will damage it. Exposing the cell's internal plates to air is what does the damage. If left in trickle charge mode, that will happen in less than a week. In float mode, I have gone all summer without having to add water. If you went all winter with yours, and the water levels stayed up, you must have a float mode.
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Old 03-17-2013, 01:35 AM   #11
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For those of you using the disconnect, do you have it mounted to the A-frame or is it inside the trailer? After viewing some that are for sale I would swoder how to protect them from the environment as the posts are exposed. Once the snow melts to a depth where you can see the hitch, photos would be appreciated. Also what brands/models are being used? I would like to see ones that are mounted away from the battery since my battery box is locked down to the frame.
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Old 03-17-2013, 07:06 AM   #12
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Our TT came with a disconnect from the factory, it's mounted on the front wall inside the front storage compartment on the curb side. What's nice is that if I forget to turn it on, it doesn't affect the brakes. I keep a tender on mine anyways whenever I'm not using it. My battery is 3 years old now and still going strong!
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Old 03-17-2013, 07:20 AM   #13
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Here`s mine, had it over 3 years now. Mounted on side of large battery box:

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Old 03-17-2013, 08:49 AM   #14
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Many choices on GOOGLE - click on the one that catches your interest for more info.. I like the BLUE SEA models as they make before break and are sealed good. Make before break prevents internal arcing if you are switching under load. Most folks will mount these in the NEGATIVE CABLE between the battery and the trailer frame ground. It will work in either place just fine. The NEGATIVE TERMINAL is probably the best spot as it has maybe just ONE cable on it where the POSITIVE TERMINAL may have several battery cables on it...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...mg.FHrknU1kdd8

The switches with the removable RED KEY seem to be popular like the one CRABMAN is using.... Having the nice looking ID plate is a nice touch as well...



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Old 03-17-2013, 09:36 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbeuler View Post
Hey everyone again I have another quick question for you. When should I disconnect my battery on my TT? When I was at the dealer today picking up my TT I swear the guy said whenever Im not using it but I think he was trying to say something else. Please help...lol

Beuler Family
He is correct. I suggest you get a battery disconnect switch like the one Roy shows above. I have had good results with mine.
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Old 03-17-2013, 03:12 PM   #16
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Keep in mind that a lead acid battery left disconnected for a few months at a time, will accelerate the build-up of sulfate inside the battery. The accumulation of sulfate inside is the number one killer of lead acid batteries.
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Old 03-17-2013, 04:50 PM   #17
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I do not have a disconnect on my battery. I do have an inline 30 amp fuse that I pull, when I want to disconnect. My dealer told me to pull the fuse if we are not going to be plugged in for more than a few days, due to the power draw from the various equipment. I did a battery draw test last summer, I left the TT unplugged for 3 weeks, with the battery connected. I do not recall what the final voltage was, but it was fairly good. So I am not to concern about disconnection the battery for short intervals.
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Old 03-17-2013, 11:19 PM   #18
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Off topic - but related... has anyone ever wired in a second shutoff for the electric tongue jack? I'm always worried that one of the kids will find the adjustment buttons while we're set-up!
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Old 03-18-2013, 11:56 AM   #19
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I do not have a disconnect on my battery. I do have an inline 30 amp fuse that I pull, when I want to disconnect. My dealer told me to pull the fuse if we are not going to be plugged in for more than a few days, due to the power draw from the various equipment. I did a battery draw test last summer, I left the TT unplugged for 3 weeks, with the battery connected. I do not recall what the final voltage was, but it was fairly good. So I am not to concern about disconnection the battery for short intervals.
+1 on this one. I just pull the (2) fuses outside the battery box.
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