Second Battery Disconnect?

[K2 Camper]

I have asked this group in the past why my batteries died after a week of in door storage. The solar does not maintain the batteries in doors and they still died way too quickly. I have been looking at my new rig on line and I found the following that I don’t understand.

2nd battery disconnect dedicated to residential refrigerator (inverter models)

I have the residential fridge but I don’t know where the second disconnect is located.

Let me know what you think and where I can find the second disconnect.

Thanks

[AZ Traveler]

Kevin,

Recommend you install another disconnect at the battery bank which will fully disconnect the battery or unhook the battery cable. The other disconnects still keep a few things powered that will run the battery bank down in a week or so.

[rames14]

Kevin, what year is your Montana? In 2022 they installed the Giggy Box, with a true disconnect. Before that, the disconnect in the convenience center was not a true disconnect. Things like the propane detector, the hydraulic system, and displays were still active, even with the dis connect off. So, as Zack said, either add a true disconnect or disconnect the negative terminal to your batteries. Best of luck.

[K2 Camper]

We have a 2022 3761 FL. I already bought a blade disconnect but I was wondering where the second disconnect is located so I can know more about our unit. I bought it from an RV dealer that doesn’t sell Montana trailers.

Thanks

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by K2 Camper

2nd battery disconnect dedicated to residential refrigerator (inverter models)

I have the residential fridge but I don’t know where the second disconnect is located.

Let me know what you think and where I can find the second disconnect.

Thanks

The disconnect for the residential refer is mounted on the back wall of the battery compartment. It should look something like this.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by rames14

Kevin, what year is your Montana? In 2022 they installed the Giggy Box, with a true disconnect. Before that, the disconnect in the convenience center was not a true disconnect. Things like the propane detector, the hydraulic system, and displays were still active, even with the dis connect off. So, as Zack said, either add a true disconnect or disconnect the negative terminal to your batteries. Best of luck.

There is some question on the 2022 Giggy Box being a complete disconnect. According to a Post by Foldback, the first ones were a disconnect, but later they improved it () by having at least one circuit left hot, and sucking 12V, when you disconnect.

I will try to find that set of Poss later tonight,

[rames14]

K2, the Giggy Box is in the front bay. Download the Keystone app and it will give you all the information. Carl, the only circuit I am aware of (required by RVIA) is the emergency disconnect for the brakes.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by K2 Camper

I have asked this group in the past why my batteries died after a week of in door storage. The solar does not maintain the batteries in doors and they still died way too quickly. I have been looking at my new rig on line and I found the following that I don’t understand.

2nd battery disconnect dedicated to residential refrigerator (inverter models)

I have the residential fridge but I don’t know where the second disconnect is located.

Let me know what you think and where I can find the second disconnect.

Thanks

I believe your question was asked and answered before. If your batteries are dying and you have a residential fridge with an inverter and the inverter is on, your batteries will die. You have a battery switch on your Giggy box and a separate battery disconnect for the inverter. Both should be located in the battery compartment.

[rames14]

Here is the video link from the MyKeystone app. https://youtu.be/rWC4bJacArQ

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by rames14

K2, the Giggy Box is in the front bay. Download the Keystone app and it will give you all the information. Carl, the only circuit I am aware of (required by RVIA) is the emergency disconnect for the brakes.

The emergency brake disconnect and solar are always hot. Neither of which draw power in normal conditions. I believe that the hydraulic pump is also constant hot if equipped. Not sure.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by rames14

... Carl, the only circuit I am aware of (required by RVIA) is the emergency disconnect for the brakes....

OK that makes sense and as it is inactive, as long you don't pull the pin, it doesn't suck 12V.

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by K2 Camper

We have a 2022 3761 FL. I already bought a blade disconnect but I was wondering where the second disconnect is located so I can know more about our unit. I bought it from an RV dealer that doesn’t sell Montana trailers.
Thanks

If your 22 model is laid out in the forward bay anything similar to our HC, maybe this will show you where your disconnects are, or at least what they look like.

[Kfinnert]

I do not know where the second disconnect is located. But I recognize the problem. I have several disconnects in my 5th wheel for various reasons.

However I installed one at the batteries so i could cut all of the batteries off from the 5th wheel. This resolved the problem when in storage and ensured there was no leak of power thru the system.

[payneo]

I was searching for Giggy box and found this thread.

We have a new 2022 HC 295RL that includes the Inverter disconnect and Giggy box. When I recently stored it I switched the Inverter disconnect to off (disconnect) and switched the red Giggy knobb to OFF as well. I could see two things that were still live, the MPPT controller and the SmartShunt. I checked the VictronConnect app and could see a load of -0.24Amps.

I left it for 5 days and returned. I have a covered site so there's little chance of getting any solar while parked. The batteries were at 99% according to the VC app. When I returned it reported 96%.

Very odd and I'll investigate more to determine the cause.

[Kfinnert]

I had to check on the Giggy Box since I do not have one on my trailer. The Giggy Box breakaway switch is always powered up and that may be the cause of the parasitic power loss... Just a thought!

Cheers

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Kfinnert

I had to check on the Giggy Box since I do not have one on my trailer. The Giggy Box breakaway switch is always powered up and that may be the cause of the parasitic power loss... Just a thought!

Cheers

As long as the breakaway switch is in normal condition no drain.

[rohrmann]

Did a search about the Giggy Box, which was developed by Brad Giggy of Keystone, and it appears to have been designed for travel trailers. It is actually a 12 volt distribution center and from what I read, gives you the ability to perform a full disconnect, where all parasitic loads are turned off. It also says it has something to do with the breakaway system, but that isn’t the primary purpose for the box. https://www.keystonerv.com/owners-how-to/giggy-box

[Foldbak]

The only power that the giggy box doesn't disconnect is the solar and breakaway switch. I believe it also provides uninterrupted power for the hydraulics. These items shouldn't have a parasitic drain in normal conditions.

[payneo]

I'm including a pick of my setup. It's in the front bay of our 2022 HC/295RL. Based on the VictronConnect app and the GlobalLink 520 VRM reports, I have a parasitic draw of 4 watts/hr. There is a red wire coming off the positive post into the Giggy box. I used a MM to check what was hot and it was nearly everything ...

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by payneo

I'm including a pick of my setup. It's in the front bay of our 2022 HC/295RL. Based on the VictronConnect app and the GlobalLink 520 VRM reports, I have a parasitic draw of 4 watts/hr. There is a red wire coming off the positive post into the Giggy box. I used a MM to check what was hot and it was nearly everything ...

I have the same unit. Need more info. As far as the giggy box as you see in the picture. When the key is removed all 12 volt power it disconnected from the trailer except,

• Power to the solar side port
• Power to the breakaway switch. (No draw if in normal condition)
• Power to the hydraulics (Shouldn't have a draw)

I assume you don't have hydraulics and you're shutting off your inverter prior to testing? I think what you're seeing is the battery draw from the solar panels?