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Old 02-09-2014, 10:08 AM   #1
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Battery disconnect switch

I recently purchased a 2005 Winnebago Journey that is not equipped with a chassis battery disconnect switch. Out of necessity, I will be storing the MH for 2 to 3 months at a time in a location far from where I reside. It is not practical to remove the batteries, "store in a cool dry location, attach automatic trickle charger, etc., etc." as recommended by battery manufacturer's maint and service instructions.

I have been told that the installation of a battery disconnect switch would be a good investment in order to eleiminat the potential transient battery loads that could drain the battery charge over time. Any advice WRT a disconnect switch?

Thanks,

Bill
2005 Winnebago Journey
Invisibrake/2004 Honda CRV Toad
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Old 02-09-2014, 10:17 AM   #2
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I put "knife style" disconnect switches on my House and chassis batteries this year. It made a big difference in holding a charge. You could also just disconnect the negative battery cable. I am not sure about three months. How about a small solar charger, they might help, even placing it on the ground next to the MH.
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Old 02-09-2014, 10:23 AM   #3
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Hello Bill

I think as long as your storage time is 2-3 months and there is a good charge on those batteries at the time of storage, you will be fine in just taking off your negitive cables and let her sit. Put a charger to them when you take it out of storage. Any longer storage time (3 months or more) I would take my batteries out and bring them home connected to my battery minder smart charger. Always check your water levels if you have flooded batteries.
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Old 02-09-2014, 03:21 PM   #4
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You might want to think about adding a 100 watt solar panel to your roof. I am in the same boat as you are for storage and found even with the disconnect, there is still some drain although manageable. I added 2x100 watt panels and solved my problem. Was so impressed with the panels boondocking for a week in the mountains last summer that I added a third panel in the fall. A 100 watt setup would likely cost $250+ if you install yourself and purchase off eBay.
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Old 02-10-2014, 01:57 AM   #5
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Quote:
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You might want to think about adding a 100 watt solar panel to your roof. I am in the same boat as you are for storage and found even with the disconnect, there is still some drain although manageable. I added 2x100 watt panels and solved my problem. Was so impressed with the panels boondocking for a week in the mountains last summer that I added a third panel in the fall. A 100 watt setup would likely cost $250+ if you install yourself and purchase off eBay.
This is exactly why I started with 100w of solar, and has since grown to 500w. The only time I touch the battery switch is simply to exercise it.
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Old 02-10-2014, 02:50 AM   #6
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If the batteries are in good condition and charged up they should do fine with a 3 month storage. Mine are in the RV in a storage lot and have been left 3 months at a time. In my case, the chassis battery disconnect results in zero discharge and the house disconnect is knife switches on the battery grounds so they also has zero loss. If I just use the battery disconnect solenoid, I still get phantom loads on the house system. Besides a knife switch, there are other switches available:


Be aware, by putting a physical switch or disconnect the chassis battery you might lose the programming in the ECU and it will have to relearn your driving habits. My 5.9 Cummins/Allison combo has no ECU to lose programming.
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Old 02-11-2014, 02:48 PM   #7
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We used one of these in our 2001 Adventurer.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fla-fr1005/overview/

It was a little overkill but ours was a gas engine. It can handle a 2,500 amp starting load which is typical of larger diesel trucks.

The company makes several different styles and amperage ratings.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...nnect-switches

It was well worth the investment to have the batteries in good shape when we went to start it on cold winter days. It only took about an hour to install, and maybe an additional short battery cable depending on where you want to mount it.
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Old 02-22-2014, 01:01 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill1446 View Post
I recently purchased a 2005 Winnebago Journey that is not equipped with a chassis battery disconnect switch. Out of necessity, I will be storing the MH for 2 to 3 months at a time in a location far from where I reside. It is not practical to remove the batteries, "store in a cool dry location, attach automatic trickle charger, etc., etc." as recommended by battery manufacturer's maint and service instructions.

I have been told that the installation of a battery disconnect switch would be a good investment in order to eleiminat the potential transient battery loads that could drain the battery charge over time. Any advice WRT a disconnect switch?

Thanks,

Bill
2005 Winnebago Journey
Invisibrake/2004 Honda CRV Toad
Here is the engine battery disconnect switch I installed and use on our Adventurer. Works great and easy to install. I like the keyed version so I always know if I have disconnected the battery. Used to have some battery drain issues, but no more with this switch.
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Old 02-22-2014, 01:34 PM   #9
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Here is the engine battery disconnect switch I installed and use on our Adventurer. Works great and easy to install. I like the keyed version so I always know if I have disconnected the battery. Used to have some battery drain issues, but no more with this switch.
Could your battery drain issue be that your batteries are not the same type(brand) looks like different cranking amps from what I see. One may be a lot newer or older than the other? I thought you are supposed to replace all batteries to match?
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Old 02-22-2014, 04:28 PM   #10
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Here's the one I installed in the step/battery compartment. I have never had a dead battery since installing it. -RT
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Old 02-22-2014, 05:06 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by 2NewRVers View Post
Could your battery drain issue be that your batteries are not the same type(brand) looks like different cranking amps from what I see. One may be a lot newer or older than the other? I thought you are supposed to replace all batteries to match?
The battery on the left is 1 of 2 deep cycle house batteries. There's a built in switch to shut them off. The battery on the right is the single chassis battery. The shut off switch vapor3000 installed only disconnects this battery.
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Old 02-23-2014, 10:06 AM   #12
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Could your battery drain issue be that your batteries are not the same type(brand) looks like different cranking amps from what I see. One may be a lot newer or older than the other? I thought you are supposed to replace all batteries to match?
The picture I posted was of the engine battery and one of two house batteries which do match and were changed at the same time. I have no engine battery drain problems with this switch. I use it as an anti theft device as much as anything.
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Old 02-23-2014, 10:11 AM   #13
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The picture I posted was of the engine battery and one of two house batteries which do match and were changed at the same time. I have no engine battery drain problems with this switch. I use it as an anti theft device as much as anything.
Awesome.
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