Forum Discussion

GMH's avatar
GMH
Explorer
Aug 02, 2020

Battery charging with disconnect

I have a battery switch that disconnects the negative cable between the battery and chassis. If it is disconnected will anything in the trailer be harmed if I hook up a battery charger with the positive cable still connected?
Thanks in advance, Greg.

8 Replies

  • wa8yxm wrote:
    So make the last connection on the 120 volt end of the charger (Man was that simple) Disconnect in reverse order (Unplug first).


    Always!:) Thanks All.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Ok with a battry charger. As someone implied it's best to make the last connection "Remote" from the battery to avoid what happens if brown's gas gets mixed up with a spark (KABOOM in case you wonder Browns is one part Hydrogen two parts oxygen)

    So make the last connection on the 120 volt end of the charger (Man was that simple) Disconnect in reverse order (Unplug first).
  • Direct to the battery terminals to maintain the battery is good in all conditions.
    Disconnect switch can be in any position.
  • MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    I would double check isolation.disconnect then test.

    Between battery and frame WITH SOLAR PANELS AND ALL OTHER CHARGING SOURCES DISCONNECTED

    Test light.

    If test light lights up OK. If no light you have a problem


    I don’t quite follow that? I have no solar panels, and I installed the battery disconnect on the only ground cable between the battery and chassis.
    Also, the main slide does not want to operate if the battery is low...even when connected to the truck and the truck running. Is this normal?? Or is my main slide motor maybe getting weak? I did lube the slides last year.
    Thanks. Greg.
  • I would double check isolation.disconnect then test.

    Between battery and frame WITH SOLAR PANELS AND ALL OTHER CHARGING SOURCES DISCONNECTED

    Test light.

    If test light lights up OK. If no light you have a problem
  • Some chargers say to put the neg clamp on the frame instead of the neg battery post to avoid sparks. If you did that with the battery neg cable disconnected from the frame, you would get nothing to the battery. If you put the neg clamp on the battery it would work.
  • It’s the opposite. Keeping your battery fully charged is essential to its longer life.
  • Nothing will be harmed with switch on or off hooking up an exterior battery charger.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,247 PostsLatest Activity: May 13, 2025