Battery disconnect on a 5'er

[Dakota98]

I have a friend who recently purchased a new FW from CW. We were discussing the battery disconnect & he indicated that there was one inside the coach, but when used, the slides still function. Is that common with any unit having slides & should he install something like a Blue Sea's @ the batteries ? I would think so.

My question: Is this common practice on FW's with slides & why ?

[Willcamp4]

I have a battery disconnect switch mounted on the wall inside one of my locked storage compartments. It is a marine style, so all you have to do is turn a knob to kill everything. Mine turns off everything in the trailer, except the solar panels that are wired direct, to keep the batteries charged. One advantage is that when the trailer is in storage, and someone breaks in (which has happened twice) the crooks can't find much in the dark.

[pete_nolin]

same thing with mine, switch wired wrong

[pete_nolin]

Dakota98 wrote:
I have a friend who recently purchased a new FW from CW. We were discussing the battery disconnect & he indicated that there was one inside the coach, but when used, the slides still function. Is that common with any unit having slides & should he install something like a Blue Sea's @ the batteries ? I would think so.

My question: Is this common practice on FW's with slides & why ?

[B_O__Plenty]

NC Hauler wrote:

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Nothing works when mine is turned off. I installed it myself. Nobody can move my front jacks if the power is off. I feel it adds a little security. I placed it inside the battery compartment which locks.

B.O.

B.O., Question:...IF your 5er is hooked to AC power, even though your battery is in by-pass, will the lights still work and can you move the slides or jacks...Mine does the same as yours when in by-pass and NOT plugged into shore power...( my by-pass mechanism is also locked to where you would really have to tear up stuff to get to it)..BUT, again, If I'm also hooked up to power, even if battery is in by-pass, I can still move slides and jacks.

Never tried it to see if the 12 volt works when plugged in with the battery switched off. No reason to. I have to turn the battery power on to get the convertor to charge my battery.

B.O.

[time2roll]

crcr wrote:
I'm reading here that several posters install the disconnect on the negative side of the battery rather than the positive side. Is the negative preferable? And if so, why?

Electrically it has the same effect. I prefer the positive side to stick with common convention of all switches and fuses on the positive side.

Although some RVs have multiple connections to the positive and a single cable to the negative that may simplify the install.

If it is an exposed knife switch that could short to ground it might be best on the negative.

My preference is an insulated switch on the positive.

[time2roll]

Dakota98 wrote:
I have a friend who recently purchased a new FW from CW. We were discussing the battery disconnect & he indicated that there was one inside the coach, but when used, the slides still function. Is that common with any unit having slides & should he install something like a Blue Sea's @ the batteries ? I would think so.

My question: Is this common practice on FW's with slides & why ?

VERY common to have the slides and emergency brakes tied direct to the battery. These items draw NO power when not in use so the disconnect is still valid to prevent parasitic discharge.

[Dakota98]

crcr wrote:
I'm reading here that several posters install the disconnect on the negative side of the battery rather than the positive side. Is the negative preferable? And if so, why?

First of all, I don't think it really makes any difference, but having said that, I would lean towards putting the disconnect on the "positive" side. Reason being, more corrosion will take place on the negative side & the more contact points in that line, the more chance for a shorted ground. On another note, but not related to FW's, but on TT's. If a person has an electric tongue Jack, it's also best to use the positive side on the disconnect, since the jacks are permanently grounded.

[crcr]

I'm reading here that several posters install the disconnect on the negative side of the battery rather than the positive side. Is the negative preferable? And if so, why?

[kennethwooster]

Our Cameo came with a disconnect. To be honest I have not checked to see if auto levelers come on when disconnect. I really think the entire trailer is dead. Thats the way I want it.

[laknox]

Dakota98 wrote:
I have a friend who recently purchased a new FW from CW. We were discussing the battery disconnect & he indicated that there was one inside the coach, but when used, the slides still function. Is that common with any unit having slides & should he install something like a Blue Sea's @ the batteries ? I would think so.

My question: Is this common practice on FW's with slides & why ?

On my Komfort, the OEM disconnect kills everything 12v =except= the landing leg and the slides. No 12v lighting, gas detectors, TV, stereo, or anything with a parasitic draw. This includes the power converter, so my FW will NOT charge with the disconnect open (no power). I found this out the hard way. 😞 No reason not to have it this way, since there's no parasitic draw from the slides and jacks.

Lyle

[NC_Hauler]

Allworth wrote:
Unless the owner/user installs a positive disconnect at the ground side of the battery(ies), there is almost always some drain with the built in disconnect in the "open" position.

Almost always the propane detector. Sometimes the smoke detector; and/or slides; and/or landing gear. Pays your money and takes your chances.

Any disconnect from an auto or marine parts place will correct this.

With my battery disconnect, I have nothing working inside my 5er, no detectors, no lights, no slides, nothing...."IF" I'm hooked to shore power, My slides still work whether battery is bypassed or not.

[rhagfo]

Our 5er didn't have one so I installed on the positive side of battery, I have had the unit in storage for over two months and made several trips to it turns on the disconect to run out the slides and back in for work and cleaning. We then still have power to run the slide out.

[Allworth]

Unless the owner/user installs a positive disconnect at the ground side of the battery(ies), there is almost always some drain with the built in disconnect in the "open" position.

Almost always the propane detector. Sometimes the smoke detector; and/or slides; and/or landing gear. Pays your money and takes your chances.

Any disconnect from an auto or marine parts place will correct this.

[Dakota98]

NC Hauler wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:

Dakota98 wrote:
I have a friend who recently purchased a new FW from CW. We were discussing the battery disconnect & he indicated that there was one inside the coach, but when used, the slides still function. Is that common with any unit having slides & should he install something like a Blue Sea's @ the batteries ? I would think so.

My question: Is this common practice on FW's with slides & why ?

On my friends 5'er, not connected to shore power & with the inside switch off, his slides still function.

Yeah, that's different..sounds like disconnect isn't connected correctly...pretty basic, cut and dry wiring job... Is there also a battery by-pass in the basement of his 5er?

No, he does not have a disconnect in the basement. That's why I'm thinking he should install a Blue Sea disconnect.