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Old 08-08-2014, 07:58 PM   #1
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Battery Isolation Switch

We have the battery switch on our 23SS next to the fuse breaker box below the fridge, I tried it both pushed in and out and it doesn't seem to make any difference, the lights and fans in the bunk ends still operate either way. I'm guessing that maybe all the 12 volt items are working off the inverter while plugged into shore power.
While camping should this switch be in or out?
While in storage should it be in or out?
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.



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Old 08-08-2014, 08:25 PM   #2
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If I remember correctly, out is connect and in is disconnect. ( I think I'll label mine and hope I got it right.)

If on shore power lights will all work since power is from the inverter not the battery, in storage, put the switch in off to disconnect non critical circuits (like inside lights, etc) so that your battery does not run down. I've always turned the switch to on when I camp, but since I only use shore power I'm wondering if I could just leave it in off position. The tongue jack still works and this is all I generally care about. If you leave the switch in connect while in storage you run the risk of a dead battery and having to plug to the TV to operate the power tongue jack.
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Old 08-08-2014, 08:33 PM   #3
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Just thought about it... I think you have got to put the switch in connect position while on shore power. Otherwise the inverter will not trickle charge the battery. Guess I'll continue to do as I have been doing !
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Old 08-09-2014, 04:26 AM   #4
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it's not an inverter, it's a converter!
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Old 08-09-2014, 09:02 AM   #5
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Can you explain the difference and purpose.


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Old 08-09-2014, 09:08 AM   #6
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A converter takes 115 volts and converts it to 12 volts to power the camper and charge the battery

An inverter takes 12 volts from the battery and inverts it to 115 volts to to power those devices.

Hope this helps.


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Old 08-09-2014, 12:28 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by jwedell View Post
A converter takes 115 volts and converts it to 12 volts to power the camper and charge the battery

An inverter takes 12 volts from the battery and inverts it to 115 volts to to power those devices.

Hope this helps.

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correct. Plus all RVs come with converters but few come standard with an inverter. Usually class A motorhomes.
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Old 08-09-2014, 12:59 PM   #8
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Sneak made a label for ours:

OUT IS ON
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Old 08-09-2014, 05:04 PM   #9
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Found out today, we weren't out to the storage yard to install the power jack and while it wasn't connected to shore power found that the lights etc. only worked when the switch was out. I guess while you're connected to the power it doesn't matter.


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Old 08-09-2014, 05:05 PM   #10
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Sorry not weren't, were.


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Old 08-09-2014, 10:42 PM   #11
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When I'm traveling, it's on. When I'm connected to shore power, it is off. In storage, it is off.
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Old 08-10-2014, 06:30 AM   #12
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Battery Isolation Switch

I also installed a disconnect switch to use in storage. I made sure the break away switch bypassed the disconnect in case I forgot to turn the switch on when traveling ( or someone turned it off). Could be really dangerous.


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Old 08-10-2014, 07:07 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Aussiecat View Post
We have the battery switch on our 23SS next to the fuse breaker box below the fridge,



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In is disconnect. Ours is in the same location about 10" off the floor. It kills 12v power to everything even when connected to TV power. On one occassion while traveling a box slid across the floor and pushed it in, and when we got to the campsite our fridge was warm. We have since started using a wireless thermometer so we can monitor fridge temps while travelling. I plan on cutting and slitting a short piece of rubber tubing to slip over the shaft of the disconnect switch to prevent that from happening again.
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Old 08-10-2014, 07:22 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by indybp57 View Post
In is disconnect. Ours is in the same location about 10" off the floor. It kills 12v power to everything even when connected to TV power. On one occassion while traveling a box slid across the floor and pushed it in, and when we got to the campsite our fridge was warm. We have since started using a wireless thermometer so we can monitor fridge temps while travelling. I plan on cutting and slitting a short piece of rubber tubing to slip over the shaft of the disconnect switch to prevent that from happening again.
I am not familiar with your set up but some of those type push/pull switches have terminals for normally open and normally closed (depending on actuator position). Have you pulled the switch to check for a set of terminals for the opposite actuation? Just a thought.
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Old 08-10-2014, 04:39 PM   #15
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I am not familiar with your set up but some of those type push/pull switches have terminals for normally open and normally closed (depending on actuator position). Have you pulled the switch to check for a set of terminals for the opposite actuation? Just a thought.
No I have not, but that's not a bad idea. I'll check into it. Thanks.
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