First trailer with a battery disconnect but I assume that when the disconnect is pulled and I'm not plugged into shore power then my lights shouldn't work? Today I installed a voltmeter and 12 volt charging plug, once I got to the wiring point I unplugged the shore power and pulled the disconnect. When I climbed back in the trailer much to my surprise the LED light were still on. I messed around with the disconnect a little but the lights stayed on so I pulled the fuse and went about the wiring. Once wired I played around with the disconnect some more and it appears that when the disconnect is pulled the voltmeter reads 12.2 volts and when the disconnect is not set the voltmeter reads 12.6 volts. When plugged into shore power I'm getting 13.6 volts as the battery's probably need a charge since the trailer has been setting for 2 weeks drawing power.

Are you sure it is a battery disconnect and not the electric brake break-away switch?

I think it would be a good Idea to give us a description of this disconnect you are pulling. :h

I am not an idiot, its not a break away and it does have a label above the switch that says battery disconnect. Its just a push pull switch, reminds me of the old headlight switches they put in pickups back in the day.

Is the trailer New, or just new to you?Maybe the switch is not working.Maybe there is another battery some where else that someone added, and is not hooked to the switch.

Take two chill pills!Can you describe the switch or find some manufacturer information on it?You need to do some more testing. It is possible that the contacts are welded together.

Battery disconnect ? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
muddydogs, I've see where too many manufacturers fake it and install so-called disconnect switches that do not disconnect the entire system. They do it to save money. A genuine battery disconnect system costs more money, and requires an owner to access the switch and throw it. Both requirements are evil sins to the RV manufacturer.

Other contributors should chime in and give help as to what a genuine disconnect switch should consist of.
RayNMesa
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
There must be 50 ways to disconnect your battery. Could it be the battery is being disconnected from the tow vehicle? , this is some times done to prevent the tow vehicle battery from being discharged while being parked for long periods wile still connected to the trailer.
big_buford
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
Should be off when pushed in and on when pulled out. That is how mine is operating.

Many use a standard 75 amp push pull switch. Switch
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
Do the lights go out on the alarm devices?
enblethen
Nomad
Aug 31, 2014
Yes, there should be no power to the rig when disconnected from shore power, disconnected from TV and battery disconnect open.
Didn't realize it is a new rig. It could be miss wired.
xaugievike
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
How many lights are we talking?

I've found that a single LED fixture can stay lit for a few minutes based on what I can only think to term "residual" juice in the lines. Same thing happens at my house too. Now, if we're talking a bunch of lights on full blast for a long time, we obviously have a different issue.
Muddydogs
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
I'm chill, I was just making sure I understood the disconnect as when it was pulled there should be no power in the trailer. If so its another thing I will add to the repair list when the shop calls to tell me the other parts are in. Trailer is new and as typical these days its been used once and back into the shop so they can fix what wasn't done right from the factory.
enblethen
Nomad
Aug 31, 2014
Take two chill pills!
Can you describe the switch or find some manufacturer information on it?
You need to do some more testing. It is possible that the contacts are welded together.
Dusty_R
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
Is the trailer New, or just new to you?
Maybe the switch is not working.
Maybe there is another battery some where else that someone added, and is not hooked to the switch.
Muddydogs
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
I am not an idiot, its not a break away and it does have a label above the switch that says battery disconnect. Its just a push pull switch, reminds me of the old headlight switches they put in pickups back in the day.