Battery Cutoff Switch

[BrokenElbow]

I opened the slides this weekend with the battery cutoff switch off. Is this normal? Isn't the cutoff switch supposed to disconnect the batteries from all circuits? If not, what does the cutoff switch do? So I don't drain my batteries in storage, should I install another cutoff switch disconnecting the ground to the batteries? Thanks for input.

[ExPatNW]

I don't have a wiring diagram to refer to, but my feeling is the battery disconnect breaks the circuit to most things inside the rig that would cause a consistent drain on your battery. There are lots of these, the LPG detector, the CO detector, the smoke detector (unless its a battery only model), your stereo will likely cause some drain if its like ours which has a LCD clock displayed all the time (on or off). There are other drains too that are stopped by the battery disconnect. In my pre-Montana trailer - I could have dead batteries within 1-2 weeks of putting it in storage unless i disconnected the batteries from these sources of permeant drain.

Now having said all that, the remote control base unit if you have one, must also cause a drain on your battery and its not disconnected by the battery disconnect. So during winter I disconnect my battery and remove it from the rig (keeping it in my garage, trickle charing it from time to time).

Hope this helps.
Chris

[DONnANNIE]

What ExPatNW said is true, but I would add that your front stablizer jacks and your slideout pump are direct wired to the battery. Everything else is routed through the Battery Disconnect Switch.

Also, there is no such thing as a "Wiring Diagram"

[RickW]

Because of this very issue, I added a disconnect switch between the "-" post and where it grounds to the frame.

[thor]

if you have the cord pluged in it will run through the power cord. so make sure the cord is disconnected.

[tjuhl]

In my 2008 3000RK the front landing gear will operate but the slides will not, with the battery switch off.

[BrokenElbow]

Thanks folks. I guess i'll play around with switches to see what works and what doesn't with the cutoff switch to see if I need to install one on the neg wire from the battery to ground.