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Topic: House Battery - Battery "Safety" Switches -Not (Read 12 times) previous topic - next topic
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House Battery - Battery "Safety" Switches -Not
Yahoo Message Number: 127101
Just wanted to make note of what has been mentioned about the battery disconnect switches in our LD's. My '10 came with the disconnect switch mounted on a 'L' shaped flat panel between the 2 AGM batteries that interrupts the connection between the two batteries. It is a good switch and a replacement can easily be found at most NAPA stores across the country (see link below). I fabricated a identical switch setup between the two additional AGM batteries I installed in the storage box behind the driver's door on our RB.
See photos in my album: "Coachman's Enhancements to Monty."  All works well.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NW_786125_0076263386>
 There was also the mention of the use of a blade/knife switch as illustrated by the Camping World link below. By my personal experience in a previous motorhome with this switch it is anything but safe! First, there is much more current (+) carrying metal exposed sitting on top of the battery and even more so when the switch is open. Secondly, and more hazardous, is at times when there is a high current drain and some slightly dirty contact with the blade, the switch can overheat causing softening OR melting the yellow plastic block connecting each end of the blade. Then things get VERY hazardous!  This is what happened in my case.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/battery-safety-switches/1461>
 I wouldn't recommend the blade switch for any application what so ever.

Mike

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: House Battery - Battery "Safety" Switches -Not
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127107
I had exactly the same experience, so I replaced it with an enclosed marine style switch at 3 times the price, but a far better and safer switch. The knife switch might be suitable for system with light loads, say 20 amps or less, but my inverter can pull 110 amps at time and the charger pushes 50 amps into the batteries. The knife blade switch was rated for that, but they are too vulnerable to corrosion and misalignment from handling. As Mike says, it's not worth it.

Eric
2005 Jayco 24SS
 
Re: House Battery - Battery "Safety" Switches -Not
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 127111
"I wouldn't recommend the blade switch for any application what so ever."
 Well, not for any high-current application. (Unless it comes with a helium jet to extinguish the arc. ;-) Seriously, I agree with everything you said, Mike. The knife-switch design is not a good solution. A sealed, marine-grade high-current switch is much safer.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"