Battery Disconnect Switch: On or Off?

[MAW7228]

Hoping someone can clarify my questions regarding the On-Off positioning of the factory-installed battery disconnect switch on our Reflection 337RLS. First, when hooked up to our truck and traveling to a destination, should we leave the disconnect in the On or Off position? (Does it matter?) Second, when at the destination and hooked up to 50A shore power what position should we leave the switch in? (We keep the battery connected.) Appreciate any responses on this. Thanks.

[Cate&Rob]

MAW7228
The battery disconnect is the connection between your batteries and the rest of the trailer 12V systems. It should always be in the on position whenever you are towing or using the trailer. It can be shut off when the trailer is in storage and disconnected from shore power. But . . . a caution on this. All power draws do not go through this switch. Minor power draws for the propane detector and device memories will eventually drain the battery even with this switch off. To assure that the battery is not drained in storage, you need to remove one of the terminal connections.

Rob

[Country Campers]

I agree with Rob. Depending on how your battery how the auto reset breakers are wired in the front bay beside the battery determines what has power when the battery disconnect is on or off , which is a confusing statement to say the least.

Brian

[Guest]

Not trying to throw a wrench in this conversation but with the original wiring on my Imagine, it would not require the switch to be on to operate the break away switch since it would be connected directly to the battery. So in the case where I am not running any appliances in the rig while traveling, both the battery switch and gas valve can be turned off.
If I want to run my refrigerator when traveling the battery switch and gas must both be turned on.
If battery charging is desired while traveling or while connected to a pedestal, the battery switch must be turned on.

Jim

[MAW7228]

Thanks for your responses. We don't run the fridge while traveling so I'll probably keep the switch in the Off position. Once we are hooked up to site power I'll probably keep the switch On. One additional question though, when keeping the battery connected to site power and the switch in the On position is it possible to overcharge the battery? When the RV is in storage during the winter and not being used for a period of time I take the battery inside and connect it to a Battery Tender to keep it charged.

[TucsonJim]

TOne additional question though, when keeping the battery connected to site power and the switch in the On position is it possible to overcharge the battery?

Good morning. The converter (charger) you have is a "smart" charger from WFCO. It should NOT overcharge your battery. If you are using a lead acid battery, it's a good idea to check the fluid level in the battery once a month though.

Jim

[howson]

Thanks for your responses. We don't run the fridge while traveling so I'll probably keep the switch in the Off position. Once we are hooked up to site power I'll probably keep the switch On. One additional question though, when keeping the battery connected to site power and the switch in the On position is it possible to overcharge the battery? When the RV is in storage during the winter and not being used for a period of time I take the battery inside and connect it to a Battery Tender to keep it charged.

One of the best investments you can make at this point is a battery monitor. See this thread for more info: https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...y-monitor-info

If Victron equipment is too expensive, Will Prowse has some options to consider:

[MAW7228]

Thanks for the feedback Jim and Howard. I'm going to look into the battery monitor.

[OurNewEra]

I was told, I have not verified, that if the battery disconnect is out/off during towing the voltage form the tow vehicle is not getting to the battery. The trailer battery will not get that surface charge during towing. Again, I have not verified.

My approach is the battery disconnect is in/on when traveling and using the trailer. When it goes to storage it comes out AND I disconnect the battery cables to avoid those parasitic draws. I would not be happy if I showed up to storage and the battery was dead.

[Country Campers]

I was told, I have not verified, that if the battery disconnect is out/off during towing the voltage form the tow vehicle is not getting to the battery. The trailer battery will not get that surface charge during towing. Again, I have not verified.

My approach is the battery disconnect is in/on when traveling and using the trailer. When it goes to storage it comes out AND I disconnect the battery cables to avoid those parasitic draws. I would not be happy if I showed up to storage and the battery was dead.

This is a good assessment , however each owner should make sure how there unit is wired. Although they all should be wired the same from the factory it is possible that some may not be the same.

Brian

[Guest]

I was told, I have not verified, that if the battery disconnect is out/off during towing the voltage form the tow vehicle is not getting to the battery. The trailer battery will not get that surface charge during towing. Again, I have not verified.

My approach is the battery disconnect is in/on when traveling and using the trailer. When it goes to storage it comes out AND I disconnect the battery cables to avoid those parasitic draws. I would not be happy if I showed up to storage and the battery was dead.

Your correct that the battery switch must be closed (on) if you wish to charge the battery while traveling. This also is the case if you wish to charge the battery while connected to an AC pedestal. However for storage, even with the switch off there will be a parasitic draw on the battery due to the items that Rob described such as CO alarms, radio memory or other small loads. The only way to stop this is to disconnect the negative battery cable. As Brian stated, this is the intended design of every rig and yours should be verified.

When we purchased our Imagine we were plugged into the outlet at home where I thought the battery would be charging while plugged in with the battery switch off. When we reached our destination, the battery was near dead. First lesson on our first trip.

Jim

[TucsonJim]

The only way to stop this is to disconnect the negative battery cable. As Brian stated, this is the intended design of every rig and yours should be verified.


Jim

There is another way to stop the parasitic draw on the battery. When I rewired my unit, I made sure all wiring went through the battery switch with the exception of the emergency break away trailer brakes. I lose any memory that is programmed into the entertainment center, but I'd rather have that happen than drain my batteries.



Jim

[Tom in PGH]

My approach is the battery disconnect is in/on when traveling and using the trailer. When it goes to storage it comes out AND I disconnect the battery cables to avoid those parasitic draws. I would not be happy if I showed up to storage and the battery was dead.

If you disconnect the battery, there should be no current draw from the battery. Why would you need to turn on the battery disconnect switch?

[mpking]

This is a good assessment , however each owner should make sure how there unit is wired. Although they all should be wired the same from the factory it is possible that some may not be the same.

Brian

This is the correct answer, everyone need to check there own unit.

My unit has the 7way from the vehicle, the battery, the solar charge circuit from the solar prep, and the emergency breakaway all wired to the same lug of the circuit breaker. Position of the battery disconnect has no effect on these 4 items.

I have not had a chance to remove panels and chase wires to see what goes direct to the battery, and which goes thru the battery disconnect.

[Ed Pauly]

does anyone just remove the battery durning storage? I just parked mine in storage last week and shut off the battery switch and was in a hurry so I didn't remove the negative wire from the battery but if I'm going to get to the battery to do that I just as well bring it home and store in the basement so it won't freeze and re charge when I return in the spring.