Battery disconnect

[Notch15]

When installing new batteries in my RV, will using the battery disconnect switch be sufficient in preventing the batteries from powering anything in the RV? I'm on shore power and have a converter.

 

[bikendan]

When installing new batteries in my RV, will using the battery disconnect switch be sufficient in preventing the batteries from powering anything in the RV? I'm on shore power and have a converter.

Not sure why you would disconnect the batteries, while being plugged into shore power.

 

[Notch15]

Not sure why you would disconnect the batteries, while being plugged into shore power.

Isn't it a good idea to disconnect any items drawing power from the batteries prior to removing the batteries?

 

[Twinboat]

In most cases switching off the battery switch is all you need to do.

Still be carefully not to let the positive cable ends touch ground.

 

[BehindBars]

I would recommend disconnecting shore power during the time the battery replacement is done. If shore power is still connected, there will be charge voltage on the battery positive leads. If you insist on keeping the converter charger hot, you will need to manage the positive cables carefully, taping them up as soon as they are removed from the battery terminals, so as not to let them contact ground.

If you need shore power on, perhaps you can shut off a breaker that powers the converter charger.

 

[Notch15]

I would recommend disconnecting shore power during the time the battery replacement is done. If shore power is still connected, there will be charge voltage on the battery positive leads. If you insist on keeping the converter charger hot, you will need to manage the positive cables carefully, taping them up as soon as they are removed from the battery terminals, so as not to let them contact ground.

If you need shore power on, perhaps you can shut off a breaker that powers the converter charger.

I have no requirement to be on shore power while I replace my two batteries.

So the safest and most complete removal of battery power is to just disconnect shore power (I assume by turning off the breaker switches at the shore power pedestal) and then disconnect the battery via the battery disconnect switch?

 

[Chuck_S]

Just unplug the shorepower the cord and disconnect the battery Negative first. (No telling what your battery switch is controlling.)

-- Chuck.

 

[Notch15]

Just unplug the shorepower the cord and disconnect the battery Negative first. (No telling what your battery switch is controlling.)

-- Chuck.

The battery disconnect switch does more than disconnect the battery?

 

[PhilFromMaine]

The battery disconnect switch does more than disconnect the battery?

No, I think what Chuck was referring to was the fact that many factory installed
battery shutoffs don't disconnect everything from the battery (some do).

So there are a lot of ways to accomplish your goal, but basically, shutoff shore power, turn the battery shutoff off, and then disconnect the negative and put it aside then the positive. This way you shouldn't get a spark. Even if you do, it will most likely not be a big deal.

 

[Notch15]

No, I think what Chuck was referring to was the fact that many factory installed
battery shutoffs don't disconnect everything from the battery (some do).

So there are a lot of ways to accomplish your goal, but basically, shutoff shore power, turn the battery shutoff off, and then disconnect the negative and put it aside then the positive. This way you shouldn't get a spark. Even if you do, it will most likely not be a big deal.

Thanks.

Is there a preferred way to shutoff shore power? Pull the power cord at the RV? Or turn off the 50 amp breaker at the city power stand?

I'm new to RV'ing, having owned my 5th wheel since last November (no previous experience before purchasing my RV.) It is simi-permanently parked on a lot that I own at an RV park. I don't intend to move the RV (It hasn't been moved in around three years.)

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Just unplug the shorepower the cord and disconnect the battery Negative first. (No telling what your battery switch is controlling.)

-- Chuck.

Absolutely! This is the CORRECT way to handle the project.


Bob

 

[Notch15]

Absolutely! This is the CORRECT way to handle the project.


Bob

Then what's the function of the battery disconnect switch?

 

[Notch15]

Should the 50 amp breaker at the city power stand be turned off prior to pulling the power cord at the RV?

 

[Chuck_S]

Battery disconnect often is a misnomer and leaves things connected like the CO and LP detectors running, radio memory, any gizmos like solar chargers, etc. Who knows what's still connected?

But we all know if you remove the wire(s) from the Negative battery terminal the battery is disconnected for sure. There should only be one wire to the battery negative pole but disconnect them all if you find more than one.

-- Chuck

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Then what's the function of the battery disconnect switch?

The battery disconnect switch disconnects most of the DC things inside. Lights, radio, furnace fan, and control power, refrigerator DC power, maybe awning and slide power, etc.

Still alive from 12 volts will be the CO and Propane detectors and the break-a-way switch.

If there is more than one wire on the POS terminal of the battery, the disconnect switch is after that point.

Always, in any vehicle, disconnect the NEGATIVE battery cable FIRST and reconnect it LAST.

With the negative connected, one disconnects the positive, has the cable in your left hand, starts to lay it down, and accidentally touches their wedding ring to the chassis. The result will likely mandate a trip to the ER to get the melted gold out of and off of one's finger. If the finger is salvageable at all.

Bob

 

[Notch15]

Battery disconnect often is a misnomer and leaves things connected like the CO and LP detectors running, radio memory, any gizmos like solar chargers, etc. Who knows what's still connected?

But we all know if you remove the wire(s) from the Negative battery terminal the battery is disconnected for sure. There should only be one wire to the battery negative pole but disconnect them all if you find more than one.

-- Chuck

Yep, I'm fully aware that all of the negative wire(s) get removed first.

On one of my batteries there are two wires attached to the negative terminal, and on the other battery there are three wires attached to the negative terminal.

 

[Notch15]

So is there any harm in using the following order when needing to physically remove the batteries from an RV:

1. Pull the power cord at the RV (should the breakers at the city power panel be selected off first? Or maybe just turn off the breakers and leave the power cord connected to the RV?)

2. Disconnect the battery with the battery disconnect switch.

3. Remove all wires attached to the negative terminal of both batteries.

4. Remove all wires from the positive terminal of each battery.

 

[JimM2109S]

Be aware that if you have solar panels installed, their wiring will probably bypass the battery disconnect switch. You could still have live wires when the battery cables are disconnected from the batteries.

 

[Notch15]

Be aware that if you have solar panels installed, their wiring will probably bypass the battery disconnect switch. You could still have live wires when the battery cables are disconnected from the batteries.

Yes, there are two wires labeled "solar panel" attached to my batteries, however, there are no solar panels installed on my RV. I intend to not reattach these two wires.

Thanks for the heads-up though.

 

[dalford]

It would be easiest to just turn off the main 50 amp breakers in your RV at the breaker panel. This will remove the power to the converter. Then turn off the disconnect switch. Also, make sure your inverter is off.

There is no need to mess with the pedestal power at all or the cord to your RV.

Then remove your battery connections.

Also, as good practice turn off the main 50 amp breaker inside the RV breaker box before removing the shore power. When connecting to shore make sure the main 50 amp breaker is off before connecting your cord to the RV. You do not want to “hot” plug. Connect your RV, turn on the pedestal 50 amp breakers, then go inside and turn on your 50 amp at the breaker panel.