Dead battery when disconnected….

[Scott'n'Wendy]

According to discussion about this, that I have had with folks at Grand Design, they build to the requirements of their governing organization, RVIA. Having a "battery switch" and having certain circuits that bypass it are part of these requirements.

Rob

Hmmmm. I can't see it as a safety device as it will be in the on position when you are inside/using the trailer and it obviously doesn't isolate...
Do you remember what the 'intent' of the battery switch is? Personally, I don't use it but I like to know the logic behind decisions even if I don't agree with the result.

[Cate&Rob]

Hmmmm. I can't see it as a safety device as it will be in the on position when you are inside/using the trailer and it obviously doesn't isolate...
Do you remember what the 'intent' of the battery switch is? Personally, I don't use it but I like to know the logic behind decisions even if I don't agree with the result.

A while back, Joseph Jlawles2 found what appears to be access to RVIA requirements. https://my.rvia.org/store?category=a0L410000075wYaEAI

However, when trying to purchase one of these documents, I encounter the statement "During the process you will be asked to affiliate your company to your account." This would fit with the information that I received from RVIA several years ago, that their requirements (that we each pay for when purchasing an RV) are available only to members of their organization.

Rob

[TedS]

As with all industry-generated organizations, their 'requirements' are industry suggestions. Not legally binding to members. There are competitive considerations to using or not the RVIA recommendations. The publications should be publicly available to inform the customer as to what and why of construction.

[howson]

As with all industry-generated organizations, their 'requirements' are industry suggestions. Not legally binding to members. There are competitive considerations to using or not the RVIA recommendations. The publications should be publicly available to inform the customer as to what and why of construction.

I was able to review a copy at school (2020 version) of the ANSI/RVIA Standard for Low Voltage Systems in Conversion and Recreational Vehicles (Trivia note: "Low Voltage" is now defined as <60v.) The document was remarkably uninformative--and often vaguely referenced a slew of other standards including SAE, UL, NFPA and ASTM. Most of us here would find it mind-boggling to try and determine what's applicable in all of these standards (and what's not) let alone the average RV buyer.

[Cate&Rob]

I was able to review a copy at school (2020 version) of the ANSI/RVIA Standard for Low Voltage Systems in Conversion and Recreational Vehicles (Trivia note: "Low Voltage" is now defined as <60v.) The document was remarkably uninformative--and often vaguely referenced a slew of other standards including SAE, UL, NFPA and ASTM. Most of us here would find it mind-boggling to try and determine what's applicable in all of these standards (and what's not) let alone the average RV buyer.

Thanks Howard!
You just saved me a lot of searching, trying to trick their authorization system . . . and $45 .

When I first opened an access panel and saw the wiring and plumbing . . . then learned that all towable RVs are built this way . . . I tried to track down what was included in the "RVIA inspection" that we all pay for. There was no way that they were going to tell me this. Anyone who has read this forum for a while will know my (personal) opinion of the RVIA regulations and inspections.

Rob

[TedS]

I have read some exerpts from the RVIA documents. Still, there is no reason to make them difficult to find as confusing as they may be to read. I'm always interested to find CYA documents. I used to be involved in writing informative, advisory, and CYA industry documents in a former life.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Excepting the rvia I guess, but low voltage in the rest of the world is anything under 1000v

[Guest]

Excepting the rvia I guess, but low voltage in the rest of the world is anything under 1000v

Liability is the issue with the battery switch.

At a minimum, a label should be placed next to the battery switch to explain how its configured. This would prevent frustration and an expensive battery replacement. I also learned this lesson on our first trip where we had been plugged in at home with the battery switch turned off when loading. When we arrived at our dry camp, the battery was at around 25%.

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

Replacing the factory battery switch with a complete 12V electrical system on/off switch makes sense to me. If the switch is off, nothing can discharge the battery. If I have accidentally left it this way, I will be reminded when I go to hitch to the truck . . . because the landing gear won't work .

Rob

[Jlawles2]

Cate&Rob I agree Rob. Actually where the disconnect switch is in the 303 is a hazard. Should it get accidentally bumped, several important things loose power like the fridge controls.

I agree with the true disconnect, or at least add a second long term disconnect for those people who store their units. I have not found an internal battery box that is easy to access when properly installed. The current battery box (which the dealer did not put the screws in) requires screwing the top half to the bottom half for proper isolation and ventialation.

There are probably a few campers out there, but most of the ones I have looked at in the past couple of years all have a powered jack. Put the disconnect on the negative side of the battery, and ensure nothing is between the disconnect and the battery, then all should be good. I guess it's one of those CYA things b/c people will turn the disconnect back off after connecting to the TV.

[Cate&Rob]

Jlawles2
On the battery box . . . typically the lower half is securely fastened into place with many screws, but only a couple of screws are needed to hold the top half in place. Makes checking on the battery reasonably easy.

Rob

[ThePowells]

This RVIA makes me wonder.. Do they not realize that ultimately we are the end user and we pay everything that they get? Maybe in the beginning it was a better thing than it is now but I think having absolute "control" and makes it impossible to obtain any information tells us what they really are.
I think now with other agencies available to take action on our behalf on safety issues and social media that the RVIA is just a open wallet that we fill.

[Jlawles2]

Cate&Rob Rob, wonder how many boot leg things are out there. https://archive.org/details/ansi-rvi...icles/mode/2up

[Jlawles2]

Cate&Rob Rob, I have 4 screws holding the upper section in place. The placement of the box is not ideal for having to use screws to hold the lid in place, plus needing tools defers one from wanting to check the fluid levels.

[Cate&Rob]

Jlawles2
Thank-you Joseph ! This should be an interesting read.

Rob