Battery Separator

[astrungis]

Does anyone happen to know if the Montana's have a battery separator installed on the coach? This prevents the coach from stealing power from the truck batteries while they are connected but not running - like a lunch break on the road. Thanks

[H. John Kohl]

I know mine does not. I think that would be an add on individuals would have to purchase.

[dieselguy]

I'd venture to guess it would take a pretty long lunch break to really matter.

[Ozz]

Bingo has a good idea for multiple banks (or singles) of batteries.
Step in here Bingo..

[bncinwv]

I am not exactly sure what the OP is seeking here, Ozz? Sounds like an isolator between the truck and the rig? I am not sure of the practical use, since the draw from the truck battery is only a trickle effect anyway, and I am pretty sure that most diesels have a dual battery bank regardless. I did install a marine-type battery isolator that completely isolates the rig batteries if I elect to do that, not sure how that would apply to the trickle feed from the truck since I never really thought about it. I will say that I have had the rig hooked to the truck for hours at a time in the driveway preparing for a trip with no impact seen when starting the truck.
Bingo

[astrungis]

On my previous Lance TC I had one as an option. It seemed to make sense. The camper slide, lights etc. would be operated on the camper batteries when the truck wasn't running. Once you started the truck, the alternator would send power back to the camper batteries to recharge them. Or if one/both camper batteries were weak, bad cells, it wouldn't deplete the truck batteries.

[BusyCarol]

Keep in mind I am a newbie with this stuff but I know my husband disconnects the truck if we hook up shore power for any reason. For example, one night we arrived at 2AM to a campsite in Idaho Falls, it was -8 (see picture below) and we were exhausted. So all we did was hook up to shore power so we could inflate our Select Comfort bed and go to sleep! We didn't even put the legs down. We just stayed hooked to the truck. This is NOT a normal practice for us but I know that night he disconnected the truck. Would that be a good time to have a switch that the OP is talking about?

[mhs4771]

Actually keeping the RV connected to the TV while the RV is connected to shore power isn't a problem as the RV converter will actually put a small charge to the TV battery/batteries. The problem comes when you Wally Dock or some other form of boon docking. If you leave the RV connected to the TV and say it's cold, hopefully not -8, but enough that you're running the furnace all night along with a few lites and if the RV battery isn't up to snuff you would end up drawing power from the TV and could possibly have low TV batteries by morning. Now granted a lot depends on circumstance, weather conditions, and battery status, but just to be on the safe side I unplug over nite if no power avail. Now again some newer TV disconnect power to all aux circuits after a predetermined time if the engine isn't running. In that case it wouldn't be a problem, but I know for a fact on our Chevy that 12V line is active all the time. Now I did have an Isolator on our old 95 1500 that would supply power to the 7 pin connector when the truck was running, but would not let the RV draw power from the TV, not even sure they're sold anymore.

[Carl n Susan]

AFAIK, only Fords (at least 1999-2013) disconnect the 12V Charge Line when the ignition key is turned "Off". There is no way for the RV to drain the battery in a Ford. Consequently, there is no need to disconnect the RV's umbilical cable from the TV when dry camping. Dodge and Chevy/GMC leave that circuit hot and vulnerable to a RV drawing down the TV's batteries.

[scductman]

I have left mine hooked to the TV lots of times overnight and never had a problem. Now if you have weak batteries or other problems I think it could draw down the TV. JMHO

[DQDick]

I've never disconnected overnight either. I do have two 12v batteries and I believe my Dodge disconnects the 12v lead several minutes after I turn the key off. I could be wrong about that, but it's never been and issue.

[Ishler]

I agree with Dick, my Dodges going back to 96 at least have a relay in the power distribution box that isolates the the 12 volt line with the ignition off (after a delay on the newer trucks). The only down side I have found with the isolators is that most are based on steering diodes that drop the voltage from .7 to 1.4 volts to the trailer battery which affects the amount of charge delivered. A relay based unit would be preferable.

[mazboy]

what you are talking about is an isolator, that, i always thought was in the truck not the trailer. if you are really concerned you need to discuss with your truck manufacturer to see if they have one installed.

[Art-n-Marge]

I have left the TV and RV hooked up overnight, but was hooked up to shore power. If I was gonna boondock for a night, I'd disconnect. Isolator or not, I just don't want to chance a TV battery problem. I guess I wouldn't care less if an isolator was present or not with this mentality.

[jlb27537]

My last truck was a 2001 F350 DRW. The 12vdc feed from the truck to the 5th wheel was only hot with the key on.

So, when parked, turning off the key eliminated any drain issues.

IF your truck is not wired this way, a relay is a easy fix. I would advise against using a Isolator because of the voltage drop across it. A combiner/relay would be the correct product to use if your tow vehicle feed is hot all the time.

Jim