Battery Disconnect Install - No help from Winnie or Freightliner

[LK23]

My 2005 Itasca Horizon 40AD did not come equiped with a battery disconnect switch and solenoid for the cranking batteries, later models did. I called Winne and was told it was a Freightliner installation and to call them, that is understandable. I called Freightliner and was told they will not support an aftermarket installation of the battery disconnect switch. I sent an email to customer service and the reply was the same. All I am asking is where to obtain the parts and how to install. So far, Freightliner customer service is poor. I have sent another email requesting assistance.

Any suggestions? I am trying to avoid the knife type switch on the battery posts.

[LK23]

My 2005 Itasca Horizon 40AD did not come equiped with a battery disconnect switch and solenoid for the cranking batteries, later models did. I called Winne and was told it was a Freightliner installation and to call them, that is understandable. I called Freightliner and was told they will not support an aftermarket installation of the battery disconnect switch. I sent an email to customer service and the reply was the same. All I am asking is where to obtain the parts and how to install. So far, Freightliner customer service is poor. I have sent another email requesting assistance.

Any suggestions? I am trying to avoid the knife type switch on the battery posts.

[Moder2]

I have thought about doing this also...

If I were to do it, I would add the same disconnect as is for the house batts. Install it in the same forward bay, with the same kind of relay. I have had really good luck getting parts from Mobility RV.

The Hard part would be running the control wire and where to mount the switch for the relay control. Me being my anal retentive self would want the disconnect switch mounted next to the entry door, with the same style switch as the house battery disconnect, in the same location.
So the tough part would be running the control wire.

If you have a BIRD system, which I think you do, your chassis batts cables are already run up to the BIRD solenoid in the forward bay. It would be a matter of disconnecting them from that solenoid, installing another disconnect relay, and connecting them to one side of that relay. Make up a jumper to the BIRD selenoid, run the control wire to where you want the switch, run power to the switch (this you need to make sure is on a "always On" circuit, since once it is shut off, you will need 12v to turn it back on.) and mount the switch where you desire.

You might though want to investigate WHY FTL doesn't want a disconnect switch, it could be that on our coaches it doesn't support it because the batts are needed to support computer functions, and your ECM might not like not having power???? I do not know.

Let us know what you find out.

[John_Canfield]

Rex - I don't have time right now to trace out my chassis battery disconnect wiring but installing one should be no big deal with no "magic" involved. The easiest place would be close to the chassis batteries to minimize new wiring runs. Perko and Guest make marine battery switches or you can use something as simple as this.

Here is a good Guest switch.

[LK23]

John and Moder,

Thanks for the replies. In further conversaion with the local Freightliner dealer I found that even with the battery disconnect switch installed and off, the engine computer is still drawing amps. The Freightliner dealer is suggesting I bring my coach in to check parasitic draw and they may be able to install a proper battery disconnect.

I also learned from talking to Winnie that the electric steps draw current if the switch is in the on position, even though the steps are not operating. I have not turned my steps off while in storage. I will in the future.

John, the problem with the battery switches you recommended is that they are rated at less than 950 amps, my battery amperage. However, I am certain someone makes a larger amperage switch, posssibly a marine switch.

Also, I am wondering what happens when you disconnect power to the engine computer.

[Pusherman]

I don't know what the wiring diagram looks like from the chassis batteries, but I do know that not all the 12V is disconnected via the 'Host' switch mounted in the back of the '06 and newer units. They disconnect the main parasitic draw culprits, but some are still powered, bypassing the switch.

I would bet Freightliner has a wiring diagram telling you what goes thru the switch and what is bypassed.