Have had my trailer for 2 years and have a habit of always turning off the Batt disconnect if it's going to be parked for more than a week or two. Recently I started working on a few lighting upgrades to LED, adding LED strips etc and noticed all the lights still worked with the disconnect off. Checked a few other things... Slides worked, TV worked.... So what exactly does the disconnect actually disconnect? It is in my front compartment and it is definitely wired into something but no idea what. Fully understand there's no way for any of you to give a factual answer without testing, but just curious if there was an RV standard. Now I am plugged in to 110 at home right now so does the AC/DC converter skip the battery even for 12V items? If I was unplugged would most items (12v items) not longer work? Thanks!

Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.

dodge guy wrote:Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.I'll add that this is normally true, but not always. I had a 5th wheel that HAD to have a battery installed and connected for the converter to work. Without the battery (or with the battery disconnected), and while plugged in to shore power, no 12v anywhere but 120v was fine. Didn't make any sense to me, but it was true. I'm not certain it was like that from the factory or if a previous owner did some re-wiring.

rdhetrick wrote:dodge guy wrote:Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.I'll add that this is normally true, but not always. I had a 5th wheel that HAD to have a battery installed and connected for the converter to work. Without the battery (or with the battery disconnected), and while plugged in to shore power, no 12v anywhere but 120v was fine. Didn't make any sense to me, but it was true. I'm not certain it was like that from the factory or if a previous owner did some re-wiring.Actually that makes more sense as you are less likely to stress/overload the converter as the battery will smooth out up any heavy loads.

put a disconnect right at the battery then things are dead and your battery will hold a charge much longer.east to install.

midnightsadie wrote:put a disconnect right at the battery then things are dead and your battery will hold a charge much longer.east to install.Added bonus you get to drive down the road with your emergency brakes disconected. Hopefully people understand thats a joke. Be very careful about where you put the disconnect and how your system is setup while driving.

Battery Disconnect... What does it disconnect??

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2020
Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.
rdhetrick
Explorer
Nov 19, 2020
dodge guy wrote:
Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.

I'll add that this is normally true, but not always. I had a 5th wheel that HAD to have a battery installed and connected for the converter to work. Without the battery (or with the battery disconnected), and while plugged in to shore power, no 12v anywhere but 120v was fine.

Didn't make any sense to me, but it was true. I'm not certain it was like that from the factory or if a previous owner did some re-wiring.
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 19, 2020
rdhetrick wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.

I'll add that this is normally true, but not always. I had a 5th wheel that HAD to have a battery installed and connected for the converter to work. Without the battery (or with the battery disconnected), and while plugged in to shore power, no 12v anywhere but 120v was fine.

Didn't make any sense to me, but it was true. I'm not certain it was like that from the factory or if a previous owner did some re-wiring.

Actually that makes more sense as you are less likely to stress/overload the converter as the battery will smooth out up any heavy loads.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2020
put a disconnect right at the battery then things are dead and your battery will hold a charge much longer.east to install.
wopachop
Explorer
Nov 19, 2020
midnightsadie wrote:
put a disconnect right at the battery then things are dead and your battery will hold a charge much longer.east to install.
Added bonus you get to drive down the road with your emergency brakes disconected.

Hopefully people understand thats a joke. Be very careful about where you put the disconnect and how your system is setup while driving.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2020
valhalla360 wrote:
rdhetrick wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.

I'll add that this is normally true, but not always. I had a 5th wheel that HAD to have a battery installed and connected for the converter to work. Without the battery (or with the battery disconnected), and while plugged in to shore power, no 12v anywhere but 120v was fine.

Didn't make any sense to me, but it was true. I'm not certain it was like that from the factory or if a previous owner did some re-wiring.

Actually that makes more sense as you are less likely to stress/overload the converter as the battery will smooth out up any heavy loads.

actually you guys are correct. the converter doesn't put out enough amps on its own to run a slide or power tongue jack. only the inside lights. the system nneds a battery to function properly.
way2roll
Navigator II
Nov 19, 2020
I had a previous Class A that when plugged into shore power it would "bypass" my disconnect. In other words, with the disconnect on and not plugged in, nothing would work - as expected. But when I plugged in, everything worked, including all 12V. Not sure if that is the same as what you are explaining but it may help in some way.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Nov 19, 2020
" If I was unplugged would most items (12v items) not longer work?"

Not most, nothing in the trailer would work.
ksg5000
Explorer
Nov 19, 2020
Also - your battery disconnect may not be functioning correctly. As I recall mine is based on latching relay which has a couple of fuses. Probably worth a few minute to check whether your battery disconnect is working.
RambleOnNW
Explorer II
Nov 19, 2020
What the battery disconnect does disconnect depends on how the 12 volt system is wired. On our rig the battery disconnect cuts off the entire house 12 volt system but the house batteries will still charge from the converter if external AC plugged in.