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10-19-2018, 09:22 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Arlington
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #22770
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Charging battery while driving
I thought my battery would trickle charge while driving from the tow truck with the battery off. I recently had it in for some warranty work and the service rep told me the battery disconnect had to be "on".
Let me define battery disconnect "on"/"off" as I use it:
"On" to me means the battery is making connection
"Off" to me means it is turned off and 12V isn't available except for items that are direct wired such as the propane detector.
So my question is; should it be "On" or "Off" to charge the battery as I drive?
__________________
Robert and Jamie
2019 Montana 3121RL 20th Anniversary, Cummins/Onan 5.5Kw
2018 Chevy 3500 Duramax
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10-19-2018, 09:47 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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The battery disconnect needs to be in the on position to charge the battery or battery's when hook up to the TV. In the on position you can't pull the red key out!
__________________
Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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10-19-2018, 10:01 AM
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#3
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Arlington
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #22770
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Thanks. I'll do it that way from now on.
__________________
Robert and Jamie
2019 Montana 3121RL 20th Anniversary, Cummins/Onan 5.5Kw
2018 Chevy 3500 Duramax
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10-19-2018, 10:13 AM
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#4
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Arlington
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #22770
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One other question I just thought of. Does the same logic apply to charging the battery when on shore power? Does the battery have to be on?
__________________
Robert and Jamie
2019 Montana 3121RL 20th Anniversary, Cummins/Onan 5.5Kw
2018 Chevy 3500 Duramax
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10-19-2018, 10:25 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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Yes it does! You will find that even on shore power with the key out a lot of your 12 volt stuff wont work inside your Rig.
__________________
Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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10-19-2018, 10:34 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northport
Posts: 624
M.O.C. #12724
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Bob as usual is exactly right but the wording can be confusing. Battery disconnect on would imply battery is disconnected. Battery connected on/off would to me made better sense.
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10-19-2018, 10:44 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 1,567
M.O.C. #20475
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Your wright the best way to look at it! If you can pull key out you have no 12 volts. If you can't pull the key you have 12 volt's.
__________________
Bob & Carol Washington St
2017 HC HM352RL 2018 Dodge 3500 laramie CC LB 4x4
Curt Q25 with puck system, Factory air bags
Happy Trails
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10-19-2018, 12:33 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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I have owned 2 rigs with the battery disconnect switch. I have never turned the switch on either unit. I have done all kinds of electrical work on both units, on the 12 volt and 120 volt systems. I always disconnect the battery and unplug from shore power prier to doing any work. I can not think of any good reason why the switch is there in the first place since there are several items that are wired directly to the battery anyway. Maybe some think that by turning the switch off while there unit is in storage prevents the battery from draining down ? I have never had to store one and never will (or I will not camp anymore). All mine have stayed hooked up to shore power 24/7
I guess what I'm saying is I just don't get the need for anyone to ever change the position of that switch just because I have not had to do it.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-19-2018, 01:19 PM
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#9
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Arlington
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #22770
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I typically always leave the switch to where the battery power is off. However now, as a result of this thread, I'll turn it on when I want to charge the battery, whether traveling down the road or parked with shore power.
Of course, I have always stayed at a place that has shore power. I have turned the battery on while stopped for a brief period so I can turn on some lights in order to find something inside the trailer.
__________________
Robert and Jamie
2019 Montana 3121RL 20th Anniversary, Cummins/Onan 5.5Kw
2018 Chevy 3500 Duramax
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10-19-2018, 05:34 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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If your camper is stored plugged into shore power 24/7 and you have electric hook ups where ever you camp, and of course it is tethered to the truck while towing, there is NO reason to ever touch that battery disconnect switch. It serves no purpose turning it off.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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10-20-2018, 12:23 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 894
M.O.C. #14417
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I use the disconnect when I'm equalizing the batteries. I equalize at 16 volts and I prefer not to have that much high voltage running through my LED lights and other 12 volt components.
__________________
Lenny and Ros
2012 Montana 3400RL,680 Watts Solar,4xT-105 Trojans,GP-ISW2000-12 Inverter,Trimetric 2020, EMSHW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 LTZ Duramax 4x4 CC Dually, Banks Speed Brake
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10-20-2018, 07:46 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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I have a tendency to tweak names a bit. Convenience Center renamed Inconvenience Center Center after seeing galley dump valve under a slide on the 379RD. The Disconnect switch is really the Switch of Confusion. It really does not disconnect the battery as an isolation switch, but many people do not find that out until after they have fully drained their battery and shortened its life.
Given the amount of systems that still are powered up when it is off, it could also be called the Kinda Sorta Drive Newbies Crazy Red Thingamabob Battery Slayer Key Switch
__________________
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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10-20-2018, 07:54 AM
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#13
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Arlington
Posts: 24
M.O.C. #22770
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba
I have a tendency to tweak names a bit. Convenience Center renamed Inconvenience Center Center after seeing galley dump valve under a slide on the 379RD. The Disconnect switch is really the Switch of Confusion. It really does not disconnect the battery as an isolation switch, but many people do not find that out until after they have fully drained their battery and shortened its life.
Given the amount of systems that still are powered up when it is off, it could also be called the Kinda Sorta Drive Newbies Crazy Red Thingamabob Battery Slayer Key Switch
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Sounds like an appropriate name. I printed that name with my label maker, but it's too long to sick on above the switch. It wraps around the corners.
__________________
Robert and Jamie
2019 Montana 3121RL 20th Anniversary, Cummins/Onan 5.5Kw
2018 Chevy 3500 Duramax
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10-20-2018, 08:02 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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I would go with the acronym KSDNCRTBSKS or "Switch serves no useful purpose"
__________________
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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10-20-2018, 09:26 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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The factory installed battery switch is of little to no value except to look good on the showroom floor. In fact, if the owner doesn't fully understand that system, it will cause more harm than good. The best thing to do is remove it all together or at least leave it in the on position. For a true battery disconnect you need to disconnect the battery or, install a quality disconnect directly on the battery cable.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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10-20-2018, 09:38 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffba
I have a tendency to tweak names a bit. Convenience Center renamed Inconvenience Center Center after seeing galley dump valve under a slide on the 379RD. The Disconnect switch is really the Switch of Confusion. It really does not disconnect the battery as an isolation switch, but many people do not find that out until after they have fully drained their battery and shortened its life.
Given the amount of systems that still are powered up when it is off, it could also be called the Kinda Sorta Drive Newbies Crazy Red Thingamabob Battery Slayer Key Switch
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Inconvenience center... LMAO!
You have that right. Mine has a battery switch that doesn't disconnect the battery, cable tv connector that is difficult to use, satellite connection that never did work, cable pull tank drain valves that I had to replace (actually re-engineer) and a solar panel plug that is a showroom only selling feature.
On the other hand, the fresh water tank fill valve is nice, and the 12v light works very well.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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10-20-2018, 10:22 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chilliwack
Posts: 1,520
M.O.C. #12935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robertwy
I thought my battery would trickle charge while driving from the tow truck with the battery off. I recently had it in for some warranty work and the service rep told me the battery disconnect had to be "on".
Let me define battery disconnect "on"/"off" as I use it:
"On" to me means the battery is making connection
"Off" to me means it is turned off and 12V isn't available except for items that are direct wired such as the propane detector.
So my question is; should it be "On" or "Off" to charge the battery as I drive?
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I would like to respond to the two questions you posted in this and a subsequent post. First to the above question...The battery "switch" does not have to be in the "on" position to charge your battery when connected to your tow vehicle. If you check pin #4 on your RV plug (at the RV) to ground you will find there is 12V dc there, that tells you there is a direct connection to your battery/ies regardless of the position of the "switch". Try this for yourself.
To your second question regarding charging the battery/ies while connected to shore power, the responses are correct, "switch" must be in the on position to charge. The battery "switch" serves one purpose and that is to isolate the battery from the converter, in doing so no power from the battery goes to the many 12v fuses at the converter, it also prevents the charging of the battery.
There are a couple of items that are not affected by the battery "switch" one being the propane detector so even with the "switch" in the off position there is some drain on the battery. Typically your slides and level up if so equipped will work regardless of the position of the switch.
As to operation of 12v systems when connected to shore power but with the battery "switch" off, you will be able to operate all 12v lights, your fridge (uses 12v for control panel so that it can be operated on propane when not connected to shore power), your furnace and water pump, in other words all 12v fused circuits at your converter because the converter is supplying the 12v rather than the battery. You should not operate your slides or level up without having the battery connected.
It is not difficult to confirm what works and what does not work with respect to the battery "switch" and it might be wise to confirm this with your own unit.
I am in the camp with those who see no reason to use the battery "switch", however I have used it to determine what is and what is not affected by it's position, otherwise it is always on.
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10-20-2018, 12:45 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 1,896
M.O.C. #9561
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Never have used 'the switch.' Leave it on and if anything, when you leave your trailer disconnect the batteries so EVERYTHING is off.
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10-20-2018, 06:13 PM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: ALAMEDA
Posts: 227
M.O.C. #20448
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I leave the switch on always. When I leave the trailer for storage I use the battery disconnect that I installed on the negative side if the battery.
__________________
2017 Montana High Country 310RE
2017 Ram 2500 Diesel, 4 wd crew cab, slr, pulrite super glide, short bed, 2 ea 100 Ah LiFePO4 12 volt Deep Cycle Battery
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10-20-2018, 06:19 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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Better yet, put a disconnect on either the + or - cable so the rig is absolutely disconnected from the battery (if in storage with no shore power). I put mine on the neg cable.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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