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08-14-2020, 01:43 PM
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#1
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Retired Panpsychist
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,043
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Positive Wiring Connection Questions
I'm trying to document the positive wiring that is run from the coupler-area of our TT to the positive wiring junction box mounted to the chassis. This is in anticipation of our connecting a solar charge controller to our rig.
I plan to run 2/0 wiring from the battery bank's (+) terminal to the inside of the front pass-through. Within that area, the (+) side with run through a 200A ANL fuse to a battery disconnect then on to a (+) distribution block for all the existing (+) connections, the solar charge controller and a future (fused) 1000W inverter.
The (-) side will be grounded to the chassis in a new (better) place with 2/0 wiring and will also run into the pass-through to a (-) distribution block for the solar charge controller's (-) connection and for the future inverter.
Therefore, I am doing my homework to document what currently (!) exists and have a couple of questions. Note the two (what look like) small distribution blocks in the photo below:
Are these simply 2-position distribution blocks or is there some active feature in them like a breaker?
Our 23IKSS has a rotary disconnect switch that truly disconnects most power to the trailer except for the orange/black wire to the breakaway switch and a mysterious yellow wire:
I have traced the yellow wire to a cap-type crimp terminal that connects to a red wire that goes straight into the positive junction box.
At first, I thought it was for the CO/LP sensor but when the disconnect switch is in the "Disconnect" position, the green light of the CO/LP detector goes off! I have also verified that the smoke detector is battery operated.
Any idea why/what the yellow wire powers when the disconnect switch is off?
__________________
Theo & Carol
2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
2020 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
2015 F-150 4WD XLT SCab, 5.0L, 3.73, 36gal, HD Towing Pkg (53A), 1,980lb Payload
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08-14-2020, 01:50 PM
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#2
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theo
I'm trying to document the positive wiring that is run from the coupler-area of our TT to the positive wiring junction box mounted to the chassis. This is in anticipation of our connecting a solar charge controller to our rig.
I plan to run 2/0 wiring from the battery bank's (+) terminal to the inside of the front pass-through. Within that area, the (+) side with run through a 200A ANL fuse to a battery disconnect then on to a (+) distribution block for all the existing (+) connections, the solar charge controller and a future (fused) 1000W inverter.
The (-) side will be grounded to the chassis in a new (better) place with 2/0 wiring and will also run into the pass-through to a (-) distribution block for the solar charge controller's (-) connection and for the future inverter.
Therefore, I am doing my homework to document what currently (!) exists and have a couple of questions. Note the two (what look like) small distribution blocks in the photo below:
Are these simply 2-position distribution blocks or is there some active feature in them like a breaker?
Our 23IKSS has a rotary disconnect switch that truly disconnects most power to the trailer except for the orange/black wire to the breakaway switch and a mysterious yellow wire:
I have traced the yellow wire to a cap-type crimp terminal that connects to a red wire that goes straight into the positive junction box.
At first, I thought it was for the CO/LP sensor but when the disconnect switch is in the "Disconnect" position, the green light of the CO/LP detector goes off! I have also verified that the smoke detector is battery operated.
Any idea why/what the yellow wire powers when the disconnect switch is off?
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They are resettable 12v circuit breakers. Some auto-reset on their own some have a reset button. (small black button on end)
See photo below...
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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08-14-2020, 02:01 PM
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#3
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Retired Panpsychist
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,043
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker
They are resettable 12v circuit breakers...{snip}
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Thanks, 5picker!
Also, after I posted this, it dawned on me that I had to install a new rocker switch to turn-off the radio's standby mode (so it remains completely off). I just went out to the TT and verified that the disconnect switch does not turn the radio off. The Yellow Wire Mystery is solved! Whew! That was really bugging me.
FR probably did that to preserve the clock and station settings if the power is disconnected.
__________________
Theo & Carol
2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
2020 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
2015 F-150 4WD XLT SCab, 5.0L, 3.73, 36gal, HD Towing Pkg (53A), 1,980lb Payload
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08-14-2020, 02:15 PM
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#4
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theo
Thanks, 5picker!
Also, after I posted this, it dawned on me that I had to install a new rocker switch to turn-off the radio's standby mode (so it remains completely off). I just went out to the TT and verified that the disconnect switch does not turn the radio off. The Yellow Wire Mystery is solved! Whew! That was really bugging me.
FR probably did that to preserve the clock and station settings if the power is disconnected.
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So... just to be sure... you turned on your installed rocker switch and removed the yellow wire from the post and the radio went off? Just wanting to be sure you ultimately know where that yellow/red wire goes!
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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08-14-2020, 02:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 712
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The yellow wire may also power the tongue Jack. Mine will work when the main disconnect is off.
__________________
Hobienick
2022 Grand Design Imagine 2800BH
2020 Rockwood Roo 19 (Sold Jul 2022)
2012 F150 SuperCrew Ecoboost
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08-14-2020, 02:35 PM
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#6
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Retired Panpsychist
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,043
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker
So... just to be sure... you turned on your installed rocker switch and removed the yellow wire from the post and the radio went off? Just wanting to be sure you ultimately know where that yellow/red wire goes!
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Yes Sir! Yellow wire disconnected = radio off. Yellow wire connected = radio on. Thank you!
__________________
Theo & Carol
2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
2020 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
2015 F-150 4WD XLT SCab, 5.0L, 3.73, 36gal, HD Towing Pkg (53A), 1,980lb Payload
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08-14-2020, 02:37 PM
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#7
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theo
Yes Sir! Yellow wire disconnected = radio off. Yellow wire connected = radio on. Thank you!
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.
.
.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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08-14-2020, 02:37 PM
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#8
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Retired Panpsychist
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,043
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hobienick
The yellow wire may also power the tongue Jack. Mine will work when the main disconnect is off.
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On ours, the tongue jack power is disconnected with the disconnect switch. I'll bet you can guess how I found that out!
__________________
Theo & Carol
2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
2020 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
2015 F-150 4WD XLT SCab, 5.0L, 3.73, 36gal, HD Towing Pkg (53A), 1,980lb Payload
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08-14-2020, 10:03 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theo
On ours, the tongue jack power is disconnected with the disconnect switch. I'll bet you can guess how I found that out!
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You never can tell what you're gonna get..
When I finally pull the trigger on solar and a battery upgrade the disconnect switch will truly disconnect everything.
__________________
Hobienick
2022 Grand Design Imagine 2800BH
2020 Rockwood Roo 19 (Sold Jul 2022)
2012 F150 SuperCrew Ecoboost
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08-15-2020, 09:57 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Central New York
Posts: 308
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hobienick
...the disconnect switch will truly disconnect everything.
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This would mean if the switch was inadvertently turned off, there would be no smoke/fire/LP detector(s) or trailer brakes. Yikes!
__________________
2017 Riverstone 38FB Legacy
2018 F450
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08-16-2020, 10:38 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LegacyFB38
This would mean if the switch was inadvertently turned off, there would be no smoke/fire/LP detector(s) or trailer brakes. Yikes!
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The advantage of a true disconnect is preventing the propane/CO detector and fridge control board from running down the batteries when not plugged in.
Smoke detectors, at least in A-frames and PUPs, are household 9V battery powered units. The battery should be replaced every year. These are unaffected by any cut-off switch.
A true disconnect has to be located at or beside the batteries to disconnect everything. Not so easy to inadvertently turn off the batteries.
But even if I forget that I had left the switch in the OFF position, the fact that NOTHING works while I'm hooking up gets me checking the disconnect. Further helping me is the fact that the disconnect faces me while I'm hooking up the emergency break away cable.
I have forgotten the emergency break away cable, but have never forgotten to turn the batteries on when hooking up.
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time
Photo of my cut-off switch - cuts off EVERYTHING
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08-17-2020, 11:32 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 712
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Yep ^^^
__________________
Hobienick
2022 Grand Design Imagine 2800BH
2020 Rockwood Roo 19 (Sold Jul 2022)
2012 F150 SuperCrew Ecoboost
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08-17-2020, 02:24 PM
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#13
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Just as confused as you
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: south central Wisconsin
Posts: 5,108
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LegacyFB38
This would mean if the switch was inadvertently turned off, there would be no smoke/fire/LP detector(s) or trailer brakes. Yikes!
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Could this be the cause of my smoke detector not going off when the wife burns the brownies in the oven? It does beep several times when I push the test button. How does this thing work? Is it the magic smoke I hear others talk about or something more mysterious?
Yes, I am being sarcastic.
__________________
Richard & Jill
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS Classic Super Lite
2018 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4WD All Star Edition
Camping since 1989, Seasonal since 2000.
Car Shredder Op/Tech, Scrap Metal Recycling - retired
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