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Old 07-16-2016, 09:41 AM   #1
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Noobie questions

new to Rving just bought 2013 Shasta revere 27BH and have some probably pretty obvious questions but here goes. I have a battery disconnect switch in my forward storage compartment, should this be turned on or off when plugged in and towing? idea would be to keep battery charged I have the TT plugged into the house but have no 30 amp plug in at house so am using a 30 to 15 amp adapter. This runs everything even the A/C so that seems fine but some times it trips the breaker (GFI) in the house other times it doesn't. Any clarification would be appreciated.
Also in my circuit board I have 2 empty unmarked fuse slots which seem to be just surplus but one of them has a red light on beside it which I take to mean there could be a problem?
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Old 07-16-2016, 01:07 PM   #2
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new to Rving just bought 2013 Shasta revere 27BH and have some probably pretty obvious questions but here goes. I have a battery disconnect switch in my forward storage compartment, should this be turned on or off when plugged in and towing? idea would be to keep battery charged I have the TT plugged into the house but have no 30 amp plug in at house so am using a 30 to 15 amp adapter. This runs everything even the A/C so that seems fine but some times it trips the breaker (GFI) in the house other times it doesn't. Any clarification would be appreciated.
Also in my circuit board I have 2 empty unmarked fuse slots which seem to be just surplus but one of them has a red light on beside it which I take to mean there could be a problem?
When towing you need to have battery switch ON. This is so that the electric brakes have power to activate if the brake away break switch is activated. Charging battery from tow vehicle will usually be very minimal due to losses from wire length and too thin wire gauge.


Breaker tripping in house is not unusual. You are probably exceeding the breakers capacity.

A redlight means the circuit is open and probably means factory forgot to put a fuse in the position. Are you sure it is an unused fuse slot?
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Old 07-16-2016, 01:09 PM   #3
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Someone correct me.........but what could it possibly hurt to put a small fuse in that open slot?? I wouldn't put a 30 amp or anything, but a 5 maybe???? Just to see if/when it blows?
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Old 07-16-2016, 02:06 PM   #4
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The battery disconnect switch is for when you aren't using the trailer and you don't want the parasitic power drains to empty the battery.
But if you are plugged into shore power or are towing, you want the disconnect switch on.
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Old 07-16-2016, 02:29 PM   #5
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The battery disconnect switch is for when you aren't using the trailer and you don't want the parasitic power drains to empty the battery.
But if you are plugged into shore power or are towing, you want the disconnect switch on.
Gracious! Thank you.

I've explained this to several of my non-RV friends, and I stumble.

I'm writing this down. That is the most succinct and perfect explanation of that switch that I've read. Thank you sir.
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Old 07-16-2016, 02:34 PM   #6
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This runs everything even the A/C so that seems fine but some times it trips the breaker (GFI) in the house other times it doesn't. Any clarification would be appreciated.
I used to do this all the time without issue although, some people will tell you not to do it. Anything running besides your AC will most likely throw your house breaker.

Now, having said that, I recently installed an EMS in the trailer and can now see voltage and amps. I decided to see what was pulling what using a few different plug setups. Plugged into an RV connection, I was using 12-14A @ 119V. Before I installed that connection, I plugged into a 15A using adapters...that got me 13-15A @ 113V. Using a smaller extension cord got me 15-17A @ 108V. It didn't trip the 15A in the house, but the cord got warm and I shut it down.

Moral of the story is, if you have to use 15A, you can run AC but not much else. Make sure the cord is as heavy as possible and as short as possible.

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Someone correct me.........but what could it possibly hurt to put a small fuse in that open slot?? I wouldn't put a 30 amp or anything, but a 5 maybe???? Just to see if/when it blows?
That's what I would do..chances are it's a factory option that wasn't installed, but you never know.
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Old 07-16-2016, 04:13 PM   #7
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Thanks for the switch clarification I thought it should be off when plugged into shore power.
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Old 07-16-2016, 04:28 PM   #8
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I CAN be off while on shore power without hurting anything. Your converter will supply all the 12V power...and battery charging. I think most people leave theirs connected while hooked up but, if you do leave it disconnected for some reason while plugged in (I did myself last week while just messing around inside mine), your battery won't charge while on shore power.
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Old 07-16-2016, 04:30 PM   #9
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There is no set rule with regard to the battery disconnect and shore power. Myself when I have the TT in my shop hooked to shore power I disconnect the batteries and have them on a maintainer. Towing always have the battery disconnect on.
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Old 07-16-2016, 04:54 PM   #10
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Thanks for the switch clarification I thought it should be off when plugged into shore power.
just to clarify, it's better to say that you ACTIVATE the disconnect switch when in storage or not hooked to shore power.
and you UNACTIVATE it when hooked to shore power/generator or towing.

it gets confusing with the On or Off language, when talking about a disconnect switch.

i have a simple green knob terminal switch that cost about $5 at Walmart.
so i tighten the knob down to allow for power to flow to the trailer and for the converter to recharge the batteries.
and i loosen the knob to disconnect the batteries.
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