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02-03-2019, 08:39 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Horn Lake
Posts: 25
M.O.C. #23321
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Battery Disconnects
We just took delivery of e 2019, 3121RL Montana. I am playing with it in the driveway and have a question. There are two battery disconects, one in the battery compartment and the other in the service center. What does each disconnect control? Is it necessary to install a main disconnect to prevent battery discharge during extended storage? Any tips you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
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02-03-2019, 09:03 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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The one in the service center disconnects the converter from the battery. (I believe its main purpose is to just confuse folks) The one in the battery compartment should be to kill power to your inverter (powers your res refer). For storage you need to add a battery disconnect.
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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02-06-2019, 09:45 PM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: TROY
Posts: 133
M.O.C. #23248
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I have a new 3120 (RV Fridge, no inverter). I am aware of only the battery disconnect in the service center. When disconnected, all 12 v power to the RV is turned off (lights, radio, etc.). However, the level-up system still has power. Not sure what else does.
I've looked in the battery compartment, but do not see another battery disconnect (assuming it will look like the one in the service center).
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02-06-2019, 09:55 PM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Round Rock
Posts: 475
M.O.C. #17905
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jingle
We just took delivery of e 2019, 3121RL Montana. I am playing with it in the driveway and have a question. There are two battery disconects, one in the battery compartment and the other in the service center. What does each disconnect control? Is it necessary to install a main disconnect to prevent battery discharge during extended storage? Any tips you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
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You have a residential fridge and the disconnect in the battery area is to shut off the fridge (inverter) only. The other one shuts off (nearly) all other 12v.
__________________
Pete & Joan & "Honey" fur-baby.
2015 Montana 3611RL 2012 F350 6.7 DRW Lariat
Disc Brakes & Sailun 14 ply S637
6-pt Hydraulic leveling
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02-07-2019, 09:16 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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As noted above, the disconnect in the convienence center is just to confuse you. If you turn it off and leave the rig the battery will be dead in just a day or two. Many things besides level-up are powered including things like the propane detector etc.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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02-07-2019, 10:41 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: TROY
Posts: 133
M.O.C. #23248
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
As noted above, the disconnect in the convienence center is just to confuse you. If you turn it off and leave the rig the battery will be dead in just a day or two. Many things besides level-up are powered including things like the propane detector etc.
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Thanks.
So far the battery is fine, but agree even the slightest draw can drain it in storage. A disconnect should be total and complete. Any suggestions as to brand and mounting for adding a switchable total disconnect?
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02-07-2019, 10:51 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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02-07-2019, 07:30 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Humboldt
Posts: 176
M.O.C. #22879
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I think many posts have been made about this. I decided to go with a key disconnect on the neg side of the battery in the battery compartment. Once I turn this off I do not worry about discharge. I still keep a small solar panel for charging when we are in storage.
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02-18-2019, 07:45 AM
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#9
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Grapevine
Posts: 38
M.O.C. #23255
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same issue
glad you posted this. I also have a 2019 3121RL. I may not understand the use of the battery disconnect in the convenience center and how to properly utilize it (or not). Basically, every time I try to use my jacks I end up with a 'low voltage' error and I'm not even able to auto level etc. It's been super frustrating. I think by inadvertently messing with the battery disconnect my batteries are not charging as they should.
Further, when I store it I'm basically just plugging into a wall socket which means I definitely need to disconnect everything else - by the time I return to the camper to go out, the batteries are totally dead.
Thanks very much
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02-18-2019, 07:54 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Humboldt
Posts: 176
M.O.C. #22879
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scott802
glad you posted this. I also have a 2019 3121RL. I may not understand the use of the battery disconnect in the convenience center and how to properly utilize it (or not). Basically, every time I try to use my jacks I end up with a 'low voltage' error and I'm not even able to auto level etc. It's been super frustrating. I think by inadvertently messing with the battery disconnect my batteries are not charging as they should.
Further, when I store it I'm basically just plugging into a wall socket which means I definitely need to disconnect everything else - by the time I return to the camper to go out, the batteries are totally dead.
Thanks very much
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Scott if you put a disconnect in the battery compartment, directly on the neg side, and then add a battery maintenance charger to the batteries, You will always have hot batteries when you need them.
Using the "Battery Disconnect" in the convenience center will still allow some draw on the batteries. I just leave that one on and cut all power in the battery compartment.
JMHO
Joe
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02-18-2019, 08:22 AM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Grapevine
Posts: 38
M.O.C. #23255
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Thanks very much Joe.
So basically, I shouldn't be messing with the battery disconnect in the 'convenience center'. Leave that Key in. Until such time that I get a REAL battery disconnect installed, I am still going to have to basically plug into my truck to get the batteries charged after the camper is sitting to even have enough power to get my jacks up.
What a mess! Sorry for the dumb questions.
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02-18-2019, 08:26 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Humboldt
Posts: 176
M.O.C. #22879
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Not dumb. I think we all went through the same thing.
Like I said, you still have parasitic draw just using the convenience center. Carbon mono detector, led lights, clock lights. All of that is a small draw but it adds up.
Joe
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02-18-2019, 09:08 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: TROY
Posts: 133
M.O.C. #23248
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scott802
Thanks very much Joe.
So basically, I shouldn't be messing with the battery disconnect in the 'convenience center'. Leave that Key in. Until such time that I get a REAL battery disconnect installed, I am still going to have to basically plug into my truck to get the batteries charged after the camper is sitting to even have enough power to get my jacks up.
What a mess! Sorry for the dumb questions.
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I'm going through the same learning curve as you are. I ended up pulling the battery out and bringing it home and put it on a charger that maintains a float charge as well. With the cold weather, I don't want it to totally discharge and get damaged.
I plan to add a disconnect on the negative terminal as some have suggested. I'll keep the battery in during the warmer months.
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02-18-2019, 09:51 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Scott, you are learning one of the reasons I have renamed it the inconvenience center.
Battery disconnect
SAT and cable (dis)connections
not all dump valves there-- Where's Dump Valves game
Leave valve to "fill" with pump on-- you will think you have a leak
flip washer/screen to winterize.
For such a small area, it needs a bit of attention
__________________
Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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02-18-2019, 09:54 AM
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#15
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Gering
Posts: 54
M.O.C. #21735
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Why is the blade disconnect on the Neg.terminal? Mine is too, but why isn't it on the Pos.terminal? I know it has a purpose of sound principle, but I can't wrap my pea brain around reasons. Thanks.
__________________
7.3L, 10spd F250 towing 2024-Montana High-Country 295RL
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02-18-2019, 10:30 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 949
M.O.C. #19630
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Just my $.02 but I have never turned the convenience switch off in any of my RV's.
I come home and plug the RV in 120V and everything stays charged. Hook-up to the TV and the batteries stay charged by the TV. Dry camp and charge the batteries with the generator pugged in the normal way with the 50A/30A cable.
If I was to store the RV without any power hookup I would then install a knife blade disconnect on the combined negative cable to isolate the batteries from all usage.
Simple.
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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02-18-2019, 10:55 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pensacola (mail forward service)
Posts: 3,198
M.O.C. #13740
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Disconnect on the negative terminal because that is the proper way to disconnect a battery AND anything touching the positive terminal won't create a shock hazard unless you are standing there with a hand on the frame or negative battery terminal.
__________________
2012 F350 6.7 L dually, 2013 3800RE with 6 pt leveling, Sumitomo 17.5" load range h tires, Samsung 18 cu ft residential fridge, 8k Morryde I.S. with disc brakes. Full timing since 2012.
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02-18-2019, 01:18 PM
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#18
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Gering
Posts: 54
M.O.C. #21735
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More research on batteries revealed complexities of why... thanks to those who answered, appreciate your time.
https://electronics.stackexchange.co...l-not-positive
__________________
7.3L, 10spd F250 towing 2024-Montana High-Country 295RL
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02-18-2019, 09:10 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 949
M.O.C. #19630
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Electrons flow from the negative side to the positive side. Disconnecting the source disables the entire system.
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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02-19-2019, 11:28 AM
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#20
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Grapevine
Posts: 38
M.O.C. #23255
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Thank you so much for everyone who responded. This site has been great and frankly a godsend - zero helpful assistance from the dealer and so forth. It's really helpful.
I'm finding out most things through 'trial and error' and had to laugh when I read 'Inconvenience Center'. the first time I dumped my tanks and spent all this time searching for the 'hidden' second gray dump value I definitely wondered 'and what was the logic of locating the second gray dump value way under here????' (besides the obvious answer it was cheaper)
__________________
Scott & Luanne
Grapevine, Texas
2017 RAM 3500 Longhorn DRW
2019 Montana 3121 RL
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