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Old 05-25-2011, 07:58 AM   #1
pollockd
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Battery disconnect switch

Hi,

I'm looking to install a battery disconnect switch on my Laredo 291TG. What brand are you using? Thanks.
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Old 05-25-2011, 01:02 PM   #2
Phil
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DC Disconnect

Great company, BD Batteries - I installed this switch yesterday, stop the trickle discharge on my batts when I'm parked waiting for the next great adventure.

http://www.bdbatteries.com/dcswitches.php?id=114
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Old 05-25-2011, 01:04 PM   #3
Phil
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DC Disconnect

Oh, BTW, Install the switch on the negative (ground) wire directly off the battery bank, no muss, no fuss, no spitz'n spark'n!
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Old 05-25-2011, 01:46 PM   #4
Paddler
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Hi Pollockd,
Just want to throw in a word of caution about installing a battery cutoff switch. If you install the switch and forget to set it to the ON position before towing your trailer and (here's the 1:1000000 chance) your trailer somehow uncouples from your truck while you are driving down the highway, the safety brakes will not activate.

Would this stop me from installing a battery cutoff switch...no way! But always remember to set it to the ON position before towing the trailer. Sometimes Stuff does happen!
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Old 05-25-2011, 02:51 PM   #5
Handysam
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Originally Posted by Paddler View Post
Hi Pollockd,
Just want to throw in a word of caution about installing a battery cutoff switch. If you install the switch and forget to set it to the ON position before towing your trailer and (here's the 1:1000000 chance) your trailer somehow uncouples from your truck while you are driving down the highway, the safety brakes will not activate.

Would this stop me from installing a battery cutoff switch...no way! But always remember to set it to the ON position before towing the trailer. Sometimes Stuff does happen!
Good point Steve, or was it April?.... Margo?
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Old 05-25-2011, 06:14 PM   #6
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Perko or Blue sea make good disconnect switches. I mounted mine inside the front pass through compartment. Wired it so the jack and brake power is always hot. Neither of these draw any power when "off" and it lets me run the jack up and down with the power off.
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Old 05-25-2011, 06:57 PM   #7
KenBob
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Our Fuzion has one of these from the factory for battery cut off.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Heavy...item19c501e250

I added another to cut off power to the landing gear and rear stabilizers when camping. Going to add one to our other fiver as it does not have a battery cut off.

The Toyhauler we had prior to the Fuzion also had this switch from the factory as well. Never had a problem.
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Old 05-26-2011, 03:35 AM   #8
pollockd
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thanks for the info.
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Old 05-26-2011, 05:03 AM   #9
outbackmac
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cut off

Should the amps rating for these swithches be a concern when picking 1 out?
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Old 05-26-2011, 07:07 AM   #10
ktmracer
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Should the amps rating for these swithches be a concern when picking 1 out?
Absolutely!!! You want a switch rated for at least the maximum amps you will draw. In most cases that is at LEAST 50A, since that is what the CB is usually set for. If you have an inverter or other draws, account for those as well. In my case I have an inverter installed so I went with a Blue Sea disconnect switch rated for 300+A continous. Inverter can draw 200A.
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Old 05-26-2011, 07:27 AM   #11
Festus2
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As ktmracer pointed out, your choice of amp rating depends upon your RV's electrical system, its components and their current draws. If you have a simple, basic system with no "add ons", I would suggest installing something in the neighborhood of 100-125A. With higher demands, you should be considering 275-325A and there are several marine-type switches such as Perko, Blue Sea and others that are available.
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Old 05-26-2011, 02:57 PM   #12
Bob Landry
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Any Perko or Blue Sea switch you get is going to be heavy enough. They're made for the marine industry and that covers handling starters for gas and diesel engines as well as power distribution systems.
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Old 06-04-2011, 07:30 AM   #13
pjhansman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pollockd View Post
Hi,

I'm looking to install a battery disconnect switch on my Laredo 291TG. What brand are you using? Thanks.
On my Laredo I used one similar to this from Canadian Tire. 325 amp. Mounted it on top of my battery box.

http://toolmonger.com/2008/07/07/bat...onnect-switch/
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Old 06-05-2011, 11:12 AM   #14
Bob Landry
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Originally Posted by Paddler View Post
Hi Pollockd,
Just want to throw in a word of caution about installing a battery cutoff switch. If you install the switch and forget to set it to the ON position before towing your trailer and (here's the 1:1000000 chance) your trailer somehow uncouples from your truck while you are driving down the highway, the safety brakes will not activate.

Would this stop me from installing a battery cutoff switch...no way! But always remember to set it to the ON position before towing the trailer. Sometimes Stuff does happen!
It should be direct wired to the battery. It does you no good if you do forget to turn the battery switch on.
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