Help - "Battery Disconnect" on Mini-Lite -- what does it control?

[F22]

We have a 2012 Mini-Lite 2109S, and are getting ready to leave tomorrow sometime for a Memorial Day weekend campout. This will be our first trip with this new TT, so I am still figuring some things out.

Below is a pic of a push-pull switch labelled "Battery Disconnect" that is below the refrigerator on the back wall. It definitely is not a real battery disconnect, as so far, I have been unable to determine what if any electrical items that it shuts off the power to. And I don't know if it does happen to kill the power to something, whether on is out or in. I can't find anything in my Owner's Manual about it.

For anyone with a Mini-Lite that has one of these switches pictured below, could you please tell me what it does, or is supposed to do, and which way is on or off, in or out? Thanks in advance for any input!

[sherdep]

someone with a 2012 will have to help or verify what info I am posting

my 2011 2306 did not come with this option - which is new for 2012 models.

If I am not mistaken - pulled out is off and pushed in is on - and it does just what it says - disconnects the battery so it will not drain the battery when the camper is in storage for extended periods of time.

[TURBS]

If you are still HOOKED to shore power when you use the disconnect EVERYTHING will still work .
until you unplug from shore power .

[F22]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

If you are still HOOKED to shore power when you use the disconnect EVERYTHING will still work .
until you unplug from shore power .

OK, that explains it. I had thought that even when on shore power, that because the lights are 12V, the switch should kill them. But now I understand how they wired it.

On ours:
Out is ON,
IN is OFF

Thanks everyone!

[Terier]

I had that style of battery disconnect knob installed on the outside of my trailer near the battery box. On my trailer the knob pushed "In"= off and pushed "Out"= on.

[Witch Doctor]

Pull it out for your battery power, and push it in to disconnect. It kinda the opp. of what you think, I have to watch how I store things around it so a shift of anything next to it will not disconnect my power while traveling. You would think that it should be in for power out for disconnect.

[sail2liv]

On my TT I use to have the TV would not charge the batteries if it was not in the on position.......not sure if that applies to the converter also?

Good luck

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by F22

OK, that explains it. I had thought that even when on shore power, that because the lights are 12V, the switch should kill them. But now I understand how they wired it.

On ours:
Out is ON,
IN is OFF

Thanks everyone!

No worries!
I wondered if it still was plugged in.
We all loose our minds once and awhile.
Have a great day.

[wbdvt]

I have a 2012 Rockwood 2109S and if you are disconnected from shore power, this will disconnect the battery from all 12vdc loads to prevent the battery from discharging over a period of time due to the parasitic loads.

[colonel134]

If I turn off the battery disconnect while traveling, wouldn't the electric from the battery run the fridge? Doesn't the battery charge while connected to the TV while traveling? Is this right, would it not drain my battery?

Thanks to all replies.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by colonel134

If I turn off the battery disconnect while traveling, wouldn't the electric from the battery run the fridge? Doesn't the battery charge while connected to the TV while traveling? Is this right, would it not drain my battery?

Thanks to all replies.

You would leave the batteries connected while traveling. The disconnect is only for extended periods when you don't want the batteries drained due to the parasitic loads.

[colonel134]

Originally Posted by Triguy

You would leave the batteries connected while traveling. The disconnect is only for extended periods when you don't want the batteries drained due to the parasitic loads.

I understand that. I have an unanswered question.

1) Other posters say they used propane to run the fridge while traveling. If I turn off the battery disconnect, would the fridge use the battery versus using propane while traveling?

Thanks

[RvBill3]

The refrigerator requires 12 volt (battery) power to work. This powers the control circuit even if the fuel source is propane. Most newer fridges are either propane or 120 volt (shore) power. Switch selects "gas " or "auto " (which is shore power if available and gas if not) . Either way, 12 volt power is required.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by colonel134

I understand that. I have an unanswered question.

1) Other posters say they used propane to run the fridge while traveling. If I turn off the battery disconnect, would the fridge use the battery versus using propane while traveling?

Thanks

I get that now. It wasn't clear to me what you were trying to do.

As mentioned above, you will need 12VDC even while cooling with propane. You probably have a two-way fridge and have no option to use the battery alone.

As an aside, the only fridge that can use 12VDC, AC, or propane (three way fridges) are generally used in Popup campers. FWIW- the 12VDC in a three-way is used only while towing to maintain coolness in an already cold fridge.

[TURBS]

You can only use propane while driving unless you have a 3 way fridge.
So battery cannot be disconnected while using propane feature.

[Smitty75]

I tried this and my refrigerator light stayed on, however I'm not sure it was enough juice to actually keep anything cold or run the pump/motor or whatever powers the actual cooling process. So I don't think it will run the refrigerator, just enough to keep the light on and provide false hope that it's cooling.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Smitty75

I tried this and my refrigerator light stayed on, however I'm not sure it was enough juice to actually keep anything cold or run the pump/motor or whatever powers the actual cooling process. So I don't think it will run the refrigerator, just enough to keep the light on and provide false hope that it's cooling.

Mine keeps just as cool on propane as it does on shore power.
Low battery voltage would affect the operation of running on propane.
Your tv should ..... if hooked up and working properly should charge battery while running down the road.

If not hooked to shore power and not hooked to tv running your fridge on propane with discharge battery.

Also keep in mind 24 hours cool down time is minimum on fridge before use.
And also don't stuff it full of warm beverages that will take all your cooling away.

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by Smitty75

I tried this and my refrigerator light stayed on, however I'm not sure it was enough juice to actually keep anything cold or run the pump/motor or whatever powers the actual cooling process. So I don't think it will run the refrigerator, just enough to keep the light on and provide false hope that it's cooling.

RV fridges actually run better on propane than electric.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by pappcam

RV fridges actually run better on propane than electric.

Id second that.

Also double check that the temp probe is in the highest point within the slider