Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-16-2015, 10:28 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 40
Battery Disconnect

I have a Wildwood T21RBS and would like an external way to disconnect the battery. By removing the negative cable from the frame, would that be an acceptable way to disconnect the battery?

Harold
sd75mac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2015, 10:34 AM   #2
Moderator Emeritus
 
Kaadk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
I've heard it done both ways. Personally I'd disconnect the positive over the negative, since the frame may end up making contact to ground via things like the tongue jack or stabs or whatnot.

In my own rig, I just pull the battery out and bring it home because I don't trust leaving it in the storage yard.
__________________
There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
Kaadk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2015, 10:35 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
Quote:
Originally Posted by sd75mac View Post
I have a Wildwood T21RBS and would like an external way to disconnect the battery. By removing the negative cable from the frame, would that be an acceptable way to disconnect the battery?
Harold
It would be better to disconnect the negative cable from the battery itself.. as opposed to the frame.
rana is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2015, 10:39 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 128
I prefer to install the cutoff switch at the Positive side of the battery, but the Negative should work just as well.
saltyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2015, 10:50 AM   #5
Ret E-9 Anchor-clanker
 
donanddona's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Genoa, ILL
Posts: 1,476
It would be safer to install the switch. Removing the positive cable with the negative side connected will/could produce a spark. Removing the negative side is less of that chance but like kaddak states it isn't the correct long term fix.
__________________
Don & Dona W/yorkies Gizmo, Master Chief, & Tali
2011 Flagstaff 8528 BHSS 2015 Ford 6.7 XLT
2010 Full Timers & Still Going
donanddona is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2015, 11:02 AM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 40
Thanks for all the replies.


My intention is to install a Battery Dr. disconnect on the frame, while trying to make this as less labor intensive as possible. Adding this to the positive side of the battery would require an additional cable from the disconnect to the battery and leaving an additional 2' of positive cable to deal with. Adding it to the negative side, I would attached the negative cable to the disconnect where that cable attached to the frame with no additional wiring. I was hoping that would be an alternative. It is such a big hassle getting to the battery behind the tanks, so I am looking for a workable solution without removing the battery or having to enter the battery box on every storage.


sd75mac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2015, 11:16 AM   #7
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 40
In taking into account all your wonderful suggestions, I think I will install the disconnect on the positive side and zip tie the excess positive cable to shorten the length. I just need to get an additional positive cable from the battery to the disconnect.

Thanks for the suggestions, I now have a path to solution.

Harold
sd75mac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2015, 11:45 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Ford Idaho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
Quote:
Originally Posted by sd75mac View Post
In taking into account all your wonderful suggestions, I think I will install the disconnect on the positive side and zip tie the excess positive cable to shorten the length. I just need to get an additional positive cable from the battery to the disconnect.

Thanks for the suggestions, I now have a path to solution.

Harold
Just be sure to use the same gage wire.

__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
Ford Idaho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2015, 08:58 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
SeaHarley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Parkville, MD
Posts: 97
I originally put the switch on the negative side, but later had to switch it to the positive side.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tch-72965.html

I suggest that you investigate first by disconnecting the negative side and seeing if there is still voltage inside at the panel or if any indicator lights or Radio lights stay on....
__________________
2012 Lacrosse, 308RES.
2013 Ford F150, XLT, 4x4, Supercrew, Eco-Boost.
Lee, Dawn and "CoCo", the dog!
2015 Overnight Camping Days = 25, States Below:
SeaHarley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2015, 09:04 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Rrickim63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 499
Disconnecting either side breaks the circuit. It shouldn't matter. Negative is safer from sparks
__________________
2006 Roo 23B hybrid

2006 Ford F150 4.6L
Rrickim63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2015, 09:15 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
SeaHarley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Parkville, MD
Posts: 97
With my Trailer, and this may not be the case with yours, I had an issue with a small amount of voltage remaining inside at the panel when I disconnected the negative side.

I'm not going to repeat all that here as it is stated in my post.
__________________
2012 Lacrosse, 308RES.
2013 Ford F150, XLT, 4x4, Supercrew, Eco-Boost.
Lee, Dawn and "CoCo", the dog!
2015 Overnight Camping Days = 25, States Below:
SeaHarley is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
battery, battery disconnect

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:35 PM.