Battery disconnect? May 27, 2020, 05:10:46 pm So my rig doesn't have a house battery disconnect switch. I still need to install the shunt for the battery monitor I picked up awhile ago. What's the consensus on disconnects? I remember reading a post about someone having one that failed on them. I think having the ability to quickly cut power if something goes wrong could be a good thing. I'm not sure why the factory didn't install one, or why a previous owner might have removed it if it was installed.I'm hoping for some thoughts on yeah vs nah, and recommendations on actual switches.ThanksSean
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #1 – May 27, 2020, 05:47:41 pm My opinion is that they're nice to have, but not essential. It's not that hard to disconnect a cable from the battery terminal and accomplish the same thing. I use mine maybe once a year. I don't know how useful most battery disconnects would be in case of emergency. The factory version isn't in a place that I would want to stick my hand if things were melting/burning.The factory installs (unless it's changed recently) a pretty basic disconnect, but they put it in a slick location - between the two 6v batteries. If you want to add one with a minimum of fuss, I would call and ask if they would sell you one pre-wired. It looks a lot like this, but mounted on a piece of fiberglass that wedges between the batteries. https://www.harborfreight.com/Battery-Cutoff-Switch-63425.htmlMarine switches are much higher quality, if you're up for the install. Rich'03 MB in NC
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #2 – May 27, 2020, 06:39:41 pm My post was probably the most recent on battery disconnect switch issues. Unfortunately, they can cause somewhat mysterious symptoms when they get resistive which can be hard to diagnose. Ours was probably problematic for years before I discovered the issue. I removed it and simply connected the jumper between the batteries back. Note removing the jumper can be made almost as easy as flipping the switch if you replace the terminal nut with a 5/16" wingnut, if desired.Steve
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #3 – May 27, 2020, 06:55:03 pm My disconnect switch is very useful to me since my rig sits in covered storage sometimes for weeks at at time. No concerns about a drain on the house batteries no matter how slight it might be. Wouldn't be without it. Frank 1 Likes
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #4 – May 27, 2020, 08:23:06 pm Quote from: kool83704 - May 27, 2020, 06:55:03 pmMy disconnect switch is very useful to me since my rig sits in covered storage sometimes for weeks at at time. No concerns about a drain on the house batteries no matter how slight it might be. Wouldn't be without it. FrankDitto.Chris 1 Likes
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #5 – May 27, 2020, 10:41:14 pm Obviously I'm missing out. It's pretty easy to disconnect the negative terminal for the coach batteries. I do that every spring when I leave the LD stored each summer for six months in AZ ... worked fine for eight years so far. They kick in immediately when I reconnect in the fall, along with the engine batteries for both the motor home and the car. Same for the truck and car that stay stored in Alaska every winter. It only takes seconds. The only time there's an issue is if it's time to replace batteries. I do use a disconnect switch for the solar panels. Simple.
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #6 – May 28, 2020, 06:16:12 am Hi Sean. I'm with Kristin on this. It's very easy to just lift the ground cable. Safe, easy, quick. No need to reach in between the batteries. Less things to go wrong. If you are adding a shunt on the ground you'll need to remove that ground cable anyway. About the only time I disconnect the batteries is to put new ones in. RonB
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #7 – May 28, 2020, 12:31:27 pm A battery switches are very useful when working on the rig's electrical or if the smoke inside the wires begins to escape.It's very difficult to get the smoke back in the wire.If something shorts out in the coach, quickly shutting the power off with a battery switch is a lot easier and quicker than hunting down the right wrench to remove a battery cable. BTDTThe Factory switch, mounted between the two batteries, is used due to the lack of space for a better, marine switch, in the battery compartment.Unfortunately, the Factory switch is not well sealed and will eventually fail, as Steve described.A replacement switch is relatively inexpensive.HELLA MARINE 100 Amp Battery Master Switch | West Marinehttps://www.harborfreight.com/Battery-Cutoff-Switch-63425.htmlThe smallest marine-grade switch is still too big to fit.BEP MARINE 701 Master Battery Switch | West MarineLarry
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #8 – May 28, 2020, 01:03:24 pm Larry,I have had 3 of the BEP Marine Switches. I do like the compact size, but two have failed due to the detents inside the switch failing. With time, the action of the switch becomes very smooth as it turns from the on to off side with a 90 degree motion, with no positive start and stop.A motorhome is unlikely to experience a jarring motion strong enough to change the position of the switch, so this may be less of a concern. The boat is a different story.If there is room, this is the preferred switch:https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=812646Harold
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #9 – May 28, 2020, 01:25:42 pm Naturally, when using two six volt batteries in series, the switch would be on the off or 1+2 settings. On smaller boats using two 12v batteries in parallel, the batteries are often different types; one for house and the other for starting. The 1+2 setting is used when there is a low power situation and both batteries are paired for use together.HD
Re: Battery disconnect? Reply #10 – May 28, 2020, 03:35:58 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - May 28, 2020, 01:03:24 pmI have had 3 of the BEP Marine Switches. I do like the compact size, but two have failed due to the detents inside the switch failing. With time, the action of the switch becomes very smooth as it turns from the on to off side with a 90-degree motion, with no positive start and stop.https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?name=blue-sea-systems-hd-series-selector-battery-switch-with-afd&path=-1|328|2290051|2290060&id=812646I have no experience with BEP, it was the smallest switch I could find. Below is what is used in our LD, similar or the same as your switch.It's a two-way switch allowing the use of the coach battery to run the RV, jump-start the engine or connect the two battery packs together.Larry 1 Likes
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