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Old 02-22-2020, 08:11 AM   #1
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battery disconnect

Going to put disconnect on trailer battery. Do I need to put on neg or pos. Just to keep from overcharging
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Old 02-22-2020, 08:32 AM   #2
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I put mine on the positive side.Now I don't have to worry about boiling the batteries.
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Old 02-22-2020, 09:20 AM   #3
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Negative is usually easier. Just one cable between battery and ground.
It doesn't matter which one you use (- or+).
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Old 02-22-2020, 09:22 AM   #4
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Here are 120 comments of arguing over positive or negative:
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...hy-161861.html
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Old 02-22-2020, 09:32 AM   #5
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For a disconnect switch either is fine as long as the ONLY thing connected directly to that battery terminal is one side of the switch. Note that you will need to remember to turn on the switch before towing in order to enable break-away braking.
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Old 02-22-2020, 10:04 AM   #6
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No matter how much arguing will take place in yet another thread discussing which post to use... it makes no difference which one you choose.
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Old 02-23-2020, 06:22 PM   #7
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Thanks. Think I ruined battery by boiling out
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Old 02-23-2020, 06:30 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Bluetick1955 View Post
Going to put disconnect on trailer battery. Do I need to put on neg or pos. Just to keep from overcharging
The easiest thing to do is just physically disconnect the negative cable.
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Old 02-23-2020, 06:42 PM   #9
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The easiest thing to do is just physically disconnect the negative cable.
You mean getting out a tool and physically unscrewing a bolt or clamp is easier than twisting a knob on a disconnect switch?
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Old 02-23-2020, 07:04 PM   #10
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You mean getting out a tool and physically unscrewing a bolt or clamp is easier than twisting a knob on a disconnect switch?

absolutely. I have a cheap ratchet and socket right in my battery box. Takes 5 seconds and I don't have to worry about the landing gear other stuff that comes off the battery before the panel still causing draw. for the price and time of installing a disconnect Ill keep unhooking my negative.
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Old 02-23-2020, 07:56 PM   #11
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absolutely. I have a cheap ratchet and socket right in my battery box. Takes 5 seconds and I don't have to worry about the landing gear other stuff that comes off the battery before the panel still causing draw. for the price and time of installing a disconnect Ill keep unhooking my negative.
Dang. I thought I was stubborn....
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Old 02-23-2020, 08:16 PM   #12
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Dang. I thought I was stubborn....

I have two batteries up front. one in the front compartment by landing gear and one in a small side compartment in front of the basement. They have multiple items coming off with inline fuses. For the time it takes me to disconnect it would be a mess to try and add one disconnect that would actually turn everything off.
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Old 02-23-2020, 08:31 PM   #13
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I have two batteries up front. one in the front compartment by landing gear and one in a small side compartment in front of the basement. They have multiple items coming off with inline fuses. For the time it takes me to disconnect it would be a mess to try and add one disconnect that would actually turn everything off.
That's why most folks I know just install the cutoff on the ground that goes to the frame. One wire, and you can spend from $6.99 to as much as you want for a cutoff switch. Then you won't wear out your post and clamp bolt
But everybody does what makes sense to them. No worries. Happy RVing!
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Old 02-23-2020, 09:52 PM   #14
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absolutely. I have a cheap ratchet and socket right in my battery box. Takes 5 seconds and I don't have to worry about the landing gear other stuff that comes off the battery before the panel still causing draw. for the price and time of installing a disconnect Ill keep unhooking my negative.
Landing gear motors, awnings and the like are NOT parasitic draws as they only draw power when you press the button.
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Old 02-23-2020, 11:35 PM   #15
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Our trailer is next to the house and the battery disconnect is almost always off unless I am doing something to it. I just went outside to opened up the slide and then closed it for something I had to do. Easy peasy...turn the switch on, do my thing and then turn it off. Couldn't even imagine taking the battery cable off and on every time.

Putting the disconnect switch on neg or pos doesn't matter electrically. It just a convention for positive. If the negative is much easier, do it that way.
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Old 02-24-2020, 09:29 AM   #16
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The easiest thing to do is just physically disconnect the negative cable.
Yes but then I have to dig for a wrench
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