Hi, I have either a bad battery or a drain on my system. My battery is only lasting a couple weeks between uses and I cannot find any unusual system that would be causing it. Regardless if it is the battery or a system drain, I would like to install a battery cutoff to isolate the battery when not in use. First of all, would it be OK to install it outside of any protection since I have a TT and the battery is on the trailer tongue inside of a battery box. I was thinking I would just add it inline outside of the battery box before it enters the trailer. Also, which lead would the cut off switch be installed on, the Negative or Positive lead? Any suggestions on a cut off switch? I don't need anything fancy, just one that is dependable and has On/Off.Thanks for any advice,Bruce

added one of these to the negative on mine before i installed a power line to the camper at the house (still use it from time to time) - mine isn't exposed to the weather but works greathttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Cut-Off-Disconnect-Kill-Switch-w-Removable-Key-Power-Cutoff-Anti-Theft-/171405056900?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e8899b84&vxp=mtronly thing I did was attach the "key" to the unit with some spider wire fishing line so it doesn't get lost when out

I use a Blue Sea marine switch on the negative side.

Most likely you would have room to add another battery box near the current one. Do so and then install the switch in the otherwise empty box. That would keep it clean and dry.

I always thought this key switch was neat... You can mount this in the lid area of the battery box... Use it in the negative ground terminal cable.You might want to think about adding a second battery on the trailer tongue... Roy ken

RoyB wrote:I always thought this key switch was neat... You can mount this in the lid area of the battery box... Use it in the negative ground terminal cable.You might want to think about adding a second battery on the trailer tongue... Roy kenI did this exact setup and after one winter my cutoff was to corroded to conduct. I worked on it with a wire brush then the little metal tab in the key fell out. It was cheap but it didnt last for me.

Battery Cut Off Switch | Good Sam Community

rbpru
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2014
Spike, good point. A separate line from the battery to the brake switch would be no problem.
stephend
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
I use the knife blade switch but it does not fit very well under the plastic battery box cover. So I attach a bungee around the box and cover to hold the lid down.
fallsrider
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
BarneyS wrote:
I mounted mine on the outside of the battery box. It has worked fine for the past two years now. It is a Blue Sea on/off switch that I purchased at the local West Marine store.
Barney

I did the same thing with the same switch. It works great and is very convenient.
gunner65
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Not if you have the padlock thingy that I installed so that no one steals my battery while I am not around to watch it. Its a nice piece of hardware but it can be a little finicky (annoying) to take off and on. The switch becomes a nice feature.

http://www.b-drvbatterylock.com/balocl.html
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
happybooker1 wrote:
Is there some reason just to not disconnect one wire from the battery? Like my battery has wing nuts connecting the wires. Why not just detach one wire?

Just because it's easier than undoing the strap and prying off the cover, then you have to undo the wing nut....
It saves about 40 seconds:B
happybooker1
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Is there some reason just to not disconnect one wire from the battery? Like my battery has wing nuts connecting the wires. Why not just detach one wire?
gchackett
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
I installed a disconnect on the end of my sofa near the fuse panel. I got a piece of 6ga wire and a couple of stake ons took off the incoming positive wire and attached to switch then wire from switch back to positive input in fuse panel. It stays out of the weather and doesn't get in the way of anything. Keeps those pesky gas sensors from draining my battery.
gunner65
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:
On a trailer the disconnect MUST go in the positive line at the battery. If in a MH it doesn't matter.

On a trailer the emergency breakaway MUST be functional when towing. If a disconnect in the negative line is open you will be unsafe and illegal.

With the disconnect in the positive line, and the breakaway wired directly to the battery the breakaway will work regardless of the disconnect position. If you put the disconnect in the negative line, I guarantee that somewhere, someday, someone will tow that trailer with the disconnect open and the breakaway nonfunctional.

gunner65 wrote:

Is there a law that requires a battery at all....

Yes, if you are heavy enough to have brakes the law requires them to be functional which includes the breakaway switch.

I do not believe that is law in my state and several others.

I understand that this is way off topic but say Im boondocking and run my battery down. When I hookup to my TV I have a 12v charge but that would take some time to charge. As I pull out onto the road my breakaway electric brake is not going to be functional.

Looks like KY is the ONLY state that doesnt require them at all.

http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html
beemerphile1
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
On a trailer the disconnect MUST go in the positive line at the battery. If in a MH it doesn't matter.

On a trailer the emergency breakaway MUST be functional when towing. If a disconnect in the negative line is open you will be unsafe and illegal.

With the disconnect in the positive line, and the breakaway wired directly to the battery the breakaway will work regardless of the disconnect position. If you put the disconnect in the negative line, I guarantee that somewhere, someday, someone will tow that trailer with the disconnect open and the breakaway nonfunctional.

gunner65 wrote:

Is there a law that requires a battery at all....

Yes, if you are heavy enough to have brakes the law requires them to be functional which includes the breakaway switch.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Lots of trailers out there with factory battery disconnects. Too bad its not an industry standard.