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Circuit breaker in battery compartment
We have a 2008 24' Front Dinette. There is a 120 amp manual reset circuit breaker in the battery compartment. Can I use that breaker like a household breaker to interrupt power to the converter compartment? I guess I'll need to do something about the solar panel and the chassis battery while I'm at it. I'm changing out the water pump, and I don't want any surprises while I'm doing that. Thank you.

Larry in Monument, CO 80132
2008 24' FD
Larry in Monument, CO
2008 24' FD
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Larry & Kathy  - 
We have a 2008 24' Front Dinette. There is a 120 amp manual reset circuit breaker in the battery compartment. Can I use that breaker like a household breaker to interrupt power to the converter compartment? I guess I'll need to do something about the solar panel and the chassis battery while I'm at it. I'm changing out the water pump, and I don't want any surprises while I'm doing that.
The breaker in our 2003 FL doesn't have a button to turn the breaker off, only a reset button.
It would be easier and safe to pull the water pump fuse, in the Power Center.

Looking at your photo, you rig looks very similar to our except you have Wrangler, with kayaks.
We often carry our kayaks on the Cherokee, when it's being towed.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #2 –
Thanks, Larry. I came to that conclusion too after I couldn't figure out how to turn that breaker off. I have a similar breaker under the hood on my Jeep to protect an extra fuse box for all the add ons, but I can turn that one off. I have been considering going to a Cherokee like yours. We've had a couple of them, but my older son talked me into doing  pretty extreme lift on the first one, and now he's put a Golen stroker in the current one. The CJ is a rough riding beast, but it will go anywhere that I can handle. The Cherokee is a much better all around vehicle, and it did very well even when it was totally stock so if I can find a nice one...who knows?

Larry in Monument, CO
2008 24' FD

Larry in Monument, CO
2008 24' FD
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Larry & Kathy  - 
I came to that conclusion too after I couldn't figure out how to turn that breaker off.

I have been considering going to a Cherokee like yours. We've had a couple of them, but my older son talked me into doing  pretty extreme lift on the first one, and now he's put a Golen stroker in the current one. The CJ is a rough riding beast, but it will go anywhere that I can handle. The Cherokee is a much better all around vehicle, and it did very well even when it was totally stock so if I can find a nice one...who knows?
Aftermarket breakers can be made to also act as switches.



If you decide on a Cherokee, look me up, I have a bit of experience with setting them up.

Larry

Sorry about the formatting, don't know why I can't fix it.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Larry & Kathy  - 
We have a 2008 24' Front Dinette. There is a 120 amp manual reset circuit breaker in the battery compartment.

I'm pretty sure this breaker interrupts the feed from the alternator, not the converter, so it would not do what you want even if tripped.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #5 –
Will do , Larry
Larry in Monument, CO
2008 24' FD
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #6 –
Steve, please tell me more. I know the coach batteries are charged by the alternator when the engine is running.  So that breaker is to protect the batteries not the converter side?
Larry in Monument, CO
2008 24' FD
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #7 –
Technically, the breaker protects against catastrophic energy release by the batteries from causing fire or explosion - i.e. it protects your rig from the batteries. There have been cases where the breaker had tripped, and folks lost charging while driving, and house battery powered items in the cab would not function with the engine off. However, all circuits connected through the converter would still function. LD usually mounts a smaller self-resetting circuit breaker hidden in the run from the batteries to the converter.

The converter fuse block has a fuse that will power the water pump - If this fuse is not so marked, pull and replace fuses with the pump running until it stops.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #8 –
On my 2004 MB the water pump is fuse #1 on the dc panel.  It's a 15 amp fuse.
2004 26.5 MB
Enjoying retirement traveling, Rzr riding, photography, and of course the 2 grand girls!
Re: Circuit breaker in battery compartment
Reply #9 –
Thank you Steve and Folivier. I appreciate the help.
Larry
Larry in Monument, CO
2008 24' FD