Battery Montana 3231CK

[Camp CA]

Disconnect the battery and you are good.

[Lrazzano]

Yes, I don't have it in the convenience center.

[rames14]

Foldbak, by code the brake disconnect always has power to it. I would bet there are other loads such as propane detector’s that also run. I have not tried it, but check a few circuits with the battery switch off. You maybe surprised.

[Foldbak]

You are correct however the breakaway switch is a no load circuit in the normally open position. Therefor no drain. See below. The only thing connected to the positive side of the batteries before the disconnect switch is the (no load) breakaway switch and the positive side of the auxiliary solar port which if a panel were connected would charge the batteries. So there is no drain with both inverter and battery disconnect switches off. Now if the positive side of the battery were corroded to the battery case there would be a drain to ground.

[mhs4771]

I will agree the Break-a-Way switch is a no load, but good friends thought it was OK to pull the pin and leave it out. Couldn't understand why their batteries were dead, but before the batteries totally died they burnt the contacts destroying the switch.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I will agree the Break-a-Way switch is a no load, but good friends thought it was OK to pull the pin and leave it out. Couldn't understand why their batteries were dead, but before the batteries totally died they burnt the contacts destroying the switch.

Wow! They should check the brakes. They probably damaged the magnets or melted some wiring.

[Carl n Susan]

Thanks Foldbak, your pic answers a lot of questions. I had heard references to a "Giggy Box" but didn't really know what it is. It seems to be an new feature in 2022 and newer models and replaces the old almost disconnect switch in the convenience center along with the auto reset breakers and wiring on the back wall of the battery compartment.

Here is part of Keystone's description:
Based on customer input, Keystone Innovation Lab's Giggy Box was developed to organize and centralize an RV's 12V wiring connections. When appropriately equipped, it also allows owners turn off all 12V power to the RV—eliminating parasitic draw that can cause dead batteries. While the battery disconnect cuts power to 12V components, it maintains power to the breakaway switch for safety. If the RV has a solar power system, the batteries will still be charged when the disconnect is in the OFF position.
Ref: https://www.keystonerv.com/innovations/giggy-box

IMO this is a terrific improvement to the crappy wiring system they used to use. I do wonder if the self-resetting circuit breakers include an 80 amp one for the hydraulic system?

For those with 2022 and newer units, you now have a viable battery disconnect system that actually disconnects everything and avoids parasitic drains.

Finally, to member Lrazzano, forget everything I (and others) wrote about adding a disconnect switch. The two disconnects you have (i.e. the Giggy Box and the one for the inverter) do isolate the electrical system for winterization.

[MandK]

And who says keystone doesn’t listen.
I forgot about the giggy box. It was talked about at the plant tour we took at the rally last month. Must of been one of those “ I don’t have one so this doesn’t involve me” moments.lol

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Does this mean they got rid of the disconnect switch in the convenience center?

Indeed - no "turn and pull out to disconnect" key in the convenience center on MHC. Tony nailed it on this one. The new setups are a clean install easily expandable.

[432bartman]

That's a slick setup.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Lee-CI

Indeed - no "turn and pull out to disconnect" key in the convenience center on MHC. Tony nailed it on this one. The new setups are a clean install easily expandable.

Lower pic is correct orientation

Dam those upside down pictures are tough on the eyes. But I noticed your setup is different then mine? Two things jump out. One is you have a battery charger? If this an add on? Mine charges of the solar and converter. Two is, WTH are the two toggle switches?

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Dam those upside down pictures are tough on the eyes. But I noticed your setup is different then mine? Two things jump out. One is you have a battery charger? If this an add on? Mine charges of the solar and converter. Two is, WTH are the two toggle switches?

Ah-HA! I figured out how to edit and change the orientation of pics once sent! Much easier on the eyes now...


The Renogy is a DC-DC charger to keep everything topped off while running the GE residential fridge during extended driving days. There are a pair of 206Ah SOK batteries unboxed in my den awaiting installation. Once the LiFePo4 batteries are installed, there must be a means of regulating the current coming off of the truck alternator. I'm running 2 AWG wiring coming off my alternator bank through a 60 amp circuit breaker to a Anderson connector next to the TV 7-way female plug. Without a DC-DC charger, the alternator(s) would fry. Dayles has an excellent write up for his installation which I plagiarized.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...hlight=charger


One toggle switch is for the ignition On line the to energize the DC-DC charger. The other toggle is to power the TPMS repeater in the far upper right side. Easy Peazy to do with the expansion possibilities of the Giggy box.


Oh - one other nifty idea which I picked up from truckers pulling refrigerated trailers, I wired up a green LED lamp that runs off of 120 vac supply coming off of the GVCI on the output side of the Inverter. Have that little puppy installed in the corner of the fresh air intake vent for the FLA battery box. Now I'm able to tell for certain via my driver's side mirror whether my inverter is indeed working and supplying inverted 120 VAC to our residential fridge while driving down the highway.

[Foldbak]

I've heard the term DC to DC charger but didn't know what it was. Now I do. so I'm clear, it ups the amperage output from the TV to the batteries for a better charge to run the inverter while traveling. And you have to manually turn it on and off.

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

I've heard the term DC to DC charger but didn't know what it was. Now I do. so I'm clear, it ups the amperage output from the TV to the batteries for a better charge to run the inverter while traveling. And you have to manually turn it on and off.

Your got it correct Tony. The DC-DC charger has charge parameters for multiple battery types. Our unit is a 40 amp model. Since LiFePo4 batteries have extremely low internal resistance, without a DC-DC charger the alternator(s) would scream their full output capacity to the batteries
through the heavy gauge wiring from the engine compartment to the battery compartment on the fiver. Victron has an informative video on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgoIocPgOug

Yes - it is an extra step but I close the circuit breaker beneath the hood each trip and then energize the DC-DC charger from the toggle switch in the battery bay.

[Tree Top Turkeys]

I have a negative knife switch on a 2021 and with the switch open my batteries were dead in two months. Is that expected? I did not disconnect the ground connected to the frame, but that goes to the battery? They are Lead acid interstates, should I check the fluid levels?

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Tree Top Turkeys

I have a negative knife switch on a 2021 and with the switch open my batteries were dead in two months. Is that expected? I did not disconnect the ground connected to the frame, but that goes to the battery? They are Lead acid interstates, should I check the fluid levels?

Tree Top - unless there is corrosion on the terminals or some other nearby connection, then this doesn't seem right at all. If the batteries are truly dead then replacement would seem advised. If not, I'd fully recharge them and take them to an automotive parts store and have them load tested.
And yes - I check the fluid level in our FLA batteries every 60 days.

[Wheelhouse]

I use a battery disconnect switch on my system. If and when I am storing the rug it is a matter of lifting the lever to disconnect them. Get the lever that lifts up and not sideways. I got mine at the auto parts store. See attached picture.