How to disconnect battery on popup

[Phaser24]

Hi; we're new to the popup trailer world, and just bought a 2012 Rockwood 2514G popup. Could somebody advise on the best way to disconnect the battery for a 2 week+ trailer storage? I have not located a battery shutoff switch and wonder if anyone pulls the 25amp fuse, or both negative battery cables?
Thanks!

[markb5900]

Not sure about your particular model, but just unhook the cables (negative first) and you will be fine.
Might be worth that 10 bucks to put a disconnect on it then for the future.

[TURBS]

"Both" negative cables?

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[vinmaker]

Why pop the negative first?

I take off the positive first thinking that that is the business end from the battery. If I touch the disconnected positive to something, the negative cannot complete the circuit. But if I disconnect the negative and that hits the frame the positive terminal will arc the frame. No?

To the OP. I disconnect the battery and take the battery into the garage/cellar for storage when not in use.

Vin.

[cousin_eddie]

You disconnect the negative first, because if your wrench hits anything metal (besides then positive terminal) while turning the bolt, it will not cause any shorts. Once the negative is disconnected, you can do the same with the positive terminal because even if you touch something, the circuit will still not be completed, and no arcing.


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[Twisty]

Pulling the fuse gives the same result as if you had a shut off switch on the Pos lead.
I've installed a switch for convenience, I used to disconnect one cable from the terminal.

[f5moab]

Not sure if it makes much difference on a trailer with a battery out, away from the frame; however, on a car/truck you always disconnect the negative first. The chassis of the vehicle can be considered a very large negative circuit. So if you are cranking on the positive battery connector bolt and you hit the frame you have just completed a circuit, and with a large wrench, it is a very high current circuit.

If you remove the negative first, then the frame/body is no longer a negative circuit, so if the wrench slips when pulling the positive cable bolt, there is no circuit to complete.

I know on my trailer, I have the steel railing next to the battery so it is has negative potential so I always pop all the negative cables off both batteries, then do the positive.

And if the trailer will be sitting for more than a few days, I pull the batteries and put themon a battery minder.

[prof_fate]

i replaced the nuts on the battery with wingnuts from lowes. now I can remove the cables or batter with no tools in 2 seconds.

almost as good as a batt swtich and about $30 cheaper.

[Twisty]

Originally Posted by prof_fate

i replaced the nuts on the battery with wingnuts from lowes. now I can remove the cables or batter with no tools in 2 seconds.

almost as good as a batt swtich and about $30 cheaper.

I used wing nuts too. Until it drove me nuts!
Take the strap off, remove the cover, loosen the nut, every 3rd time the nut must be dropped and the spare cannot be found, locate the fallen nut in the box next to the battery, remove all of cables, lift the battery out, get the nut,......
Nonsense to me.
I can walk by and snap my switch with missing a step and with something in the other hand.
Think about how long it takes to do stuff like that.

[Phaser24]

Thanks for all the great ideas; I do note that I have a 25 amp fuse on the battery cable. There are 2 wires at the negative terminal (red and white); don't know what either do. I'll just disconnect the battery for now, and look into getting a shutoff switch in the future.

[exploreco]

I just discount the positive lead when we aren't going to be out for more than 2 weeks. Is there a need to disconnect the negative from a power draw stand point? When I got the camper that is the cable they told me to remove was the one positive cable that had a draw. They never mentioned anything about the negative. if it is sitting for a month or longer I throw my battery tender on it.

[stryke-force]

I thought it was the negative cable to disconnect. I have one of those battery disconnect switch knobs on the negative side of the battery.

[Twisty]

Originally Posted by stryke-force

I thought it was the negative cable to disconnect. I have one of those battery disconnect switch knobs on the negative side of the battery.

I just read that it can be put on either cable in an auto.
The directions for an RV say pos.
Mine's on the pos.

[Phaser24]

Is the disconnect switch a standard RV item?

[Twisty]

Try not to use "RV" when shopping. It may cause price gouging.
I use a Flaming River switch. They offer the Little Switch for about 35 bucks w/ mounting bracket. Very high quality. Mine is suitable for outdoor mounting and competition. I think it's the Big Switch.

[Phaser24]

Thanks!

[bob5856]

Phaser24,

I used this on my pup and it's been great. Does what I wanted it to do.

2013 Rockwood 2560G


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[steamboatscott]

I use a fuse. Much more convenient than removing the battery box cover and removing wires. Also more convenient to pull the fuse in an emergency while the camper is setup. Even works for two batteries. Pictures of my setup at Dual Batteries | Popup Camping 101

[f5moab]

That's all I use are the two fuses, one for the main line and one for circuit between the two batteries. Never seen a need for a disconnect switch.