OK, took the battery out and brought it back to the house to start charging. Voltage read was 5.5V. Will keep my fingers crossed that I haven't ruined the battery.I also have the Marinco 701 Contour Battery disconnect switch, which I will install in the battery box top before I take the battery back.Which line should be used for the disconnect? + or -, or doesn't matter?When I took the battery out of the battery box, there was 3/4" of water in the bottom of the box. Apparently, water entered through the two vents in the lid. Can I just drill a hole in the bottom to drain? Or is there a reason not to drill the hole?Thanks.

JohnG4706 wrote:OK, took the battery out and brought it back to the house to start charging. Voltage read was 5.5V. Will keep my fingers crossed that I haven't ruined the battery.I also have the Marinco 701 Contour Battery disconnect switch, which I will install in the battery box top before I take the battery back.Which line should be used for the disconnect? + or -, or doesn't matter?When I took the battery out of the battery box, there was 3/4" of water in the bottom of the box. Apparently, water entered through the two vents in the lid. Can I just drill a hole in the bottom to drain? Or is there a reason not to drill the hole?Thanks.It doesn't matter which wire you switch.Drill holes in the bottom of the box where they are away form the framing below. The RV dealers have been using marine boxes for so many years that the correct boxes are no longer made. I caulk the holes on top, there is plenty of ventilation around the cables.

JohnG4706 wrote:OK, took the battery out and brought it back to the house to start charging. Voltage read was 5.5V. Will keep my fingers crossed that I haven't ruined the battery. Regardless of what happens during charging the battery life is compromised. After charging have the battery load tested to determine if it is/is not toast. Electrically the switch on + or - doesn't make any difference. But for the same reason that that the neg cable should be removed first and installed last putting the switch on the - terminal is potentially safer.

At 5.5V in all probability you are now in the market for a new battery.

I always install my battery switches on the positive cable. If installed on the negative, the brake safety switch won't activate in an emergency if you happen to have the battery switch turned off while towing.

tll wrote:I always install my battery switches on the positive cable. If installed on the negative, the brake safety switch won't activate in an emergency if you happen to have the battery switch turned off while towing.I don't want to hijack this thread, but perhaps this will also help the OP. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the battery is disconnected and regardless of which post is disconnected, there would be no voltage going to the brakes if the trailer disconnects from its hitch, correct?

Battery and Battery Box | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Feb 14, 2015
JohnG4706 wrote:
OK, took the battery out and brought it back to the house to start charging. Voltage read was 5.5V. Will keep my fingers crossed that I haven't ruined the battery.
Regardless of what happens during charging the battery life is compromised. After charging have the battery load tested to determine if it is/is not toast.

Electrically the switch on + or - doesn't make any difference. But for the same reason that that the neg cable should be removed first and installed last putting the switch on the - terminal is potentially safer.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
JohnG4706 wrote:
OK, took the battery out and brought it back to the house to start charging. Voltage read was 5.5V. Will keep my fingers crossed that I haven't ruined the battery.

I also have the Marinco 701 Contour Battery disconnect switch, which I will install in the battery box top before I take the battery back.

Which line should be used for the disconnect? + or -, or doesn't matter?

When I took the battery out of the battery box, there was 3/4" of water in the bottom of the box. Apparently, water entered through the two vents in the lid. Can I just drill a hole in the bottom to drain? Or is there a reason not to drill the hole?

Thanks.

It doesn't matter which wire you switch.

Drill holes in the bottom of the box where they are away form the framing below. The RV dealers have been using marine boxes for so many years that the correct boxes are no longer made. I caulk the holes on top, there is plenty of ventilation around the cables.

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Battery and Battery Box

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