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Old 04-05-2012, 04:08 AM   #1
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Ground Switch?

Has anyone done a ground switch from battery? Thinking of putting one in just by the battery to make it easier to completely power down during extended periods of storage. Anyone done this? Any reason why I shouldn't add one? Thanks! JC
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Old 04-05-2012, 05:55 AM   #2
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Re: Ground Switch?

They make battery disconnect switches that are a simple lever.....down power on, up your batteries are completely disconnected. I am going to do that too for next storage season. It is a lot easier than taking off all the cables....faster too.
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Old 04-05-2012, 12:57 PM   #3
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Re: Ground Switch?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Denali2012
They make battery disconnect switches that are a simple lever.....down power on, up your batteries are completely disconnected. I am going to do that too for next storage season. It is a lot easier than taking off all the cables....faster too.
Cool, thanks. I presume they sell these at the RV dealers?
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Old 04-05-2012, 10:02 PM   #4
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Re: Ground Switch?

Quote:
Originally Posted by thejean
Quote:
Originally Posted by Denali2012
They make battery disconnect switches that are a simple lever.....down power on, up your batteries are completely disconnected. I am going to do that too for next storage season. It is a lot easier than taking off all the cables....faster too.
Cool, thanks. I presume they sell these at the RV dealers?
They can be bought at auto parts stores, boating supply stores, some battery dealers and also On-Line.
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Old 04-06-2012, 01:53 AM   #5
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Re: Ground Switch?

This is the one I went with.
http://amzn.com/B000CQDRP2
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Old 04-06-2012, 03:14 AM   #6
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Re: Ground Switch?

I added one to the side of my battery box on the ground. I will be changing it this year to the trailer power side as it is possible to be without the break away brake feature if the ground is turned off.
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Old 04-07-2012, 11:42 AM   #7
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Re: Ground Switch?

In the boating industry, we cut power to the "Positive battery post". I don't know the advantage of hooking into the ground and it seems that it could have some bad results.
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Old 04-13-2012, 01:12 AM   #8
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Re: Ground Switch?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rgolding
In the boating industry, we cut power to the "Positive battery post". I don't know the advantage of hooking into the ground and it seems that it could have some bad results.
What kind of bad results? Most automative service manuals I refer to suggest negative post. Maybe this is a thing specific to marine setups?

The only advantage in my case for negative terminal is that the cable location is more convenient for mounting a switch than the positive cable.
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Old 04-13-2012, 12:12 PM   #9
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Re: Ground Switch?

"What kind of bad results"

You always want to break the power source, not complete the ground. That's why you put a light switch on a positive wire, not the ground wire.

Just my thoughts and I get proven wrong all the time, ask my wife.
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Old 04-14-2012, 12:41 AM   #10
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Re: Ground Switch?

This is just my opinion and just that an opinion, so here's what I think.

The reason auto manuals say to remove the negative side is because if the wrench slips and hits the grounded chassis, it won't create your own little welder as it would if you were disconnecting the positive terminal. Breaking the chassis ground will also prevent the battery from charging while connected to your vehicle and the safety breakaway switch for the braking system will not function. It's much easier to disconnect the positive side and still have the breakaway and charging functions work depending on how the TT is wired and where you install the disconnect switch. There are probably other reasons, but the 2 I've just stated are enough for me.

Cheers and happy camping
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Old 04-14-2012, 01:21 AM   #11
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Re: Ground Switch?

I just followed the directions.
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Old 04-30-2012, 12:09 AM   #12
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Re: Ground Switch?

I followed the instructions also but it didn't take me long to figure it was not the correct way to install it. I want the power to the trailer living space turned off NOT the power to the braking system.
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Old 04-30-2012, 02:02 AM   #13
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Re: Ground Switch?

I just want to be able to turn off the power when it's stored and quickly turn it back on when I hook back up. I suppose it would be good to have it the way you guys suggest in the event that I forget to flip the switch before I pull away.
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Old 06-12-2012, 01:53 PM   #14
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Re: Ground Switch?

I ordered one from the dealer but wouldn't work with my trailer as it mounts on a battery post and will interfere with my battery cover. It would be great for a fifth wheel though where the access to the tops of the batteries is not limited by a cover.
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Old 08-17-2013, 05:00 AM   #15
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If leave the positive terminal connected, and remove the negative, you can still create sparks if you accidentally touch a wrench to the + post and metal. Hmm... probably best to break the positive side. Like Ric said in his post. I've learned this the hard way, removing the negative side, and then having a little sparky thing happen.
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Old 08-17-2013, 05:15 AM   #16
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I used these on my old unit But have mot found any yet

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Old 08-21-2013, 05:04 PM   #17
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I installed this on my batter box and have it connected to the positive terminal.

12/24V Battery Master Switch | Princess Auto

Took under 10 minutes to install.
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Old 08-24-2013, 02:36 AM   #18
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For what it is worth our rig had a battery isolator installed at the factory. I have not followed the wires through the panels to see if the this is true, but since the wires to and from that switch are red I believe they are on the positive side.
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Old 08-24-2013, 12:52 PM   #19
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X2 ..... yes, mine is also installed on the positive side.
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Old 08-26-2013, 05:32 AM   #20
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I do nothing. I leave my batteries hooked up and let them maintian their charge by solar.
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