Battery Disconnect

beemerphile1 wrote:
You are correct in that it doesn't matter for those that are perfect and never make mistakes.

However systems are normally designed to compensate for those of us less perfect who are capable of mistakes. If installed correctly in the positive line with the breakaway connected prior to the switch, mistakes can be made and still not put lives at risk.

Thanks for such a positive reply, I of course wouldn't expect anything less. :R I keep telling my wife how "perfect" I am but somehow she's just not buyin' it. :W

Interesting that both Perko and Battery Doctor show installation on the Positive side for the rotary disconnects. That's the way I've seen it on every boat I've messed with or looked at. I can't imagine they would be wrong about their own product.

SoundGuy wrote:
To me it's irrelevant whether the disconnect switch is wired into the positive or negative side ... in my case I've always wired into the positive side. I always tow with the disconnect switch turned on and have never forgotten to check it as I always want the TV charge line to be constantly maintaining a charge on the trailer battery as I tow. This is just my opinion which is unlikely to ever change despite these never ending, mind numbing online debates over who is "right" and who is "wrong". :R

You are correct in that it doesn't matter for those that are perfect and never make mistakes.

However systems are normally designed to compensate for those of us less perfect who are capable of mistakes. If installed correctly in the positive line with the breakaway connected prior to the switch, mistakes can be made and still not put lives at risk.

To me it's irrelevant whether the disconnect switch is wired into the positive or negative side ... in my case I've always wired into the positive side. I always tow with the disconnect switch turned on and have never forgotten to check it as I always want the TV charge line to be constantly maintaining a charge on the trailer battery as I tow. This is just my opinion which is unlikely to ever change despite these never ending, mind numbing online debates over who is "right" and who is "wrong". :R

Dennis Smith wrote:
I was taught electricity goes from negative to positive. So with that said, I would hook it to the negative side.

How would you connect the breakaway for safety? The breakaway should be able to operate whether the switch is open or closed.

I was taught electricity goes from negative to positive. So with that said, I would hook it to the negative side.

Well I have two batteries so I hooked one up to disconnect with the Positive cable and the other one with the Negative cable that way I am at least half right!:B

For a trailer the disconnect always goes on the positive and the breakaway is connected prior to the switch. That way the breakaway will work whether the switch is open or closed.

The Battery Doctor switch is what I installed on the negative side.

Battery disconnect switches, designed explicitly FOR batteries, not some switch put into service to disconnect batteries, are GREEN for a reason; to disconnect the negative terminal;

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006EH9WUC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1





There are also battery disconnect switches that are RED for a reason too;




I would say use the switch for the purpose it is designed for. The negative and positive battery posts are different sizes. Don't mix them up!