complete battery disconnect

[twindman]

I think the battery negative connects to the frame. So if I put in a switch there, is that the proper way to turn off everything???
I have a marine switch that has connections for 2 sets of batteries separately or singly or off. So I think if I run the negative wires from both battery sets to this switch, it should work.
Any comments or problems you see???
Thanks.

[bigred715]

When I disconnect for a period of time I ALWAYS take off the positive and leave the negative hooked up. This has worked for me on the trailer and the car while I am in Arizona for 3 months.

[jlb27537]

The battery disconnect is usually in the positive lead.

Jim

[DQDick]

Positive is also the way I've always done it.

[bncinwv]

If you are installing a dual battery system to a dual battery marine isolator switch, the way I wired mine is as follows: the individual positive (red) leads go to the switch positive posts. The negative (black) from the switch then goes to one battery negative post and the two positives of the batteries are wired together, then the negative from the last battery goes to the frame. This will allow you to use one or the other or both (if they are similar batteries). It is a good idea to use the same type batteries as I do not believe the onboard charger will support different types. Check the manual to verify this.
Bingo

[Phil P]

Hi

If you were trained by the US Army you would disconnect the positive cable. If you were trained by the US Navy you would disconnect the negative cable.

It just doesn’t make any difference so I put the fuse or disconnect switch where ever it is easiest to install.

A word of caution that really doesn’t have any relativity to the question I really recommend putting a 100 Amp fuse at the battery they are not that expensive and could save your trailer from one of the “mysterious” self igniting fires.

http://www.bluesea.com/products/5191...k_-_30_to_300A

Phil P

[markmontana]

Phil's idea is what we did. Here is the amazon link

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syste...ery+fuse+block

[gjetzen]

If you were trained to be an auto mechanic like I was you would always disconnect the negative side(-). The positive is the side that will always spark upon disconnect, and if done at the battery can risk explosion. When replacing a DC battery in an RV, Boat or in an auto/truck the procedure is negative off first and on last! Also while I can't be 100% sure on an 5th wheel trailer, In boats and anything automotive the negative side (-) is always the side that is regulated, they will control the ground not the feed, it is safer and less expensive. Putting a switch of any kind on the positive side (+) of any circuit runs the risk of a voltage drop and some systems require a 12v power source to operate properly.