Battery discpnnect switch

[Ziphead2]

Confused. While towing my rig do I put the battery disconnect switch off or on to charge the battery??

[Mel_B_]

Also if you have your fridge running on gas while driving it still requires 12v power to operate.I've never traveled without my fridge and freezer on and full. Also if you have solar never turn off battery without turnning panels off first.

[Bobbo]

dtappy3353 wrote:
Don't have one on my two batteries and would like to install one. Is there any type of disconnect switch that is common for rv's or?

Thank you for the feedback.

DaveT

This is what I used Blue Sea Disconnect.

[dougrainer]

Usually, The Battery disconnect is downstream from the Coach battery/s. That means the CHARGE line from the Tow vehicle goes straight to the battery, not thru the battery disconnect. Also, that means as long as the battery will engage the Brake away as the Brake Away wire is NOT thru the battery disconnect. This is for OEM installed battery disconnects. Now, if the disconnect is AT the battery area, then the battery disconnect will disconnect all coach battery functions, including charging from the Tow Truck and the Emergency brake away will not function if disconnect is turned OFF. On both Jayco and Airstream, if the disconnect is OFF and you are plugged into Shore Power, then your battery is NOT being charged or maintained. Also, MOST Battery disconnects do NOT turn off battery power to the LP/CO detector due to Liability concerns from the OEM's. As other have pointed out, there is NO GOOD reason to have a battery disconnect OFF when using or towing the RV. It is for storage only. Doug

[WA4HTZ]

kampinguru's post points out that it depends on how your trailer manufacturer wired it. On our FunFinder, nothing works if the battery switch is off including the slides, electric tongue jack, and the charge line from the tow vehicle. But, as j-d says, it can be re-wired and I plan on doing that to ours.

Ken

[j-d]

If you choose to tow with the Battery OFF, be sure the Breakaway Switch can still set the Trailer Brakes. You can change the wiring at the battery so that the Breakaway (and the Charge Line, if you like) stay powered when the Battery Switch is OFF.

[kampinguru]

I don't think it matters. On mine, Off disconnects the trailer stuff from the battery and wont allow it to charge from the converter when plugged into shore power. When not plugged into shore power and the switch is off, nothing in the trailer works such as lights etc but my slides and landing gear will still work. I do not believe that the disconnect switch affects the charging from the tow vehicle.

[dtappy3353]

Don't have one on my two batteries and would like to install one. Is there any type of disconnect switch that is common for rv's or?

Thank you for the feedback.

DaveT

[lanerd]

"ON" is as it describes.... if the disconnect is off, there's no connection to them so therefore can't be charged.

[MrWizard]

'CHARGE'

disconnect is for when the RV is in storage
whether that is the back yard, drive way or storage lot

[snowpeke]

Keep it on but as soon as your done RVing turn it off. The propane dectictor will drain your batteries.

[time2roll]

On.

Off is only for storage or repair service.

[LadyRVer]

On