Community Forums

BigNick1 · 05-12-2021, 07:38 PM

I'm taking the RV to get some minor servicing done. My thoughts are I won't be able to plug into shore power. I'm thinking I should empty the few things in the refrigerator, and cycle the battery disconnect switch to shut the coach down correct?

I also think the way to verify power off it to look at the Xantrex control panel and see its shut down?

Arch Hoagland · 05-12-2021, 07:55 PM

Good idea.

BigNick1 · 05-12-2021, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Good idea.

Thanks, words of wisdom.

Arch Hoagland · 05-12-2021, 11:48 PM

Had my coach in the shop last month and they ran the house batteries clear down.

I didn't disconnect the batteries like I usually do because it was there to have the slide out motor replaced.

I figured they would plug it in....nope.

jacwjames · 05-13-2021, 06:43 AM

That's what I would do and put inform the shop that you turned the disconnect off. Request that if they have to turn the disconnect on that they turn it off as soon as possible.

BigNick1 · 05-13-2021, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

That's what I would do and put inform the shop that you turned the disconnect off. Request that if they have to turn the disconnect on that they turn it off as soon as possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Had my coach in the shop last month and they ran the house batteries clear down.

I didn't disconnect the batteries like I usually do because it was there to have the slide out motor replaced.

I figured they would plug it in....nope.

All good advice/info.

I think its kind of a disservice to call the switch a "salesman switch". Its really an important component, not just meant for the guy that sells the thing. Referring to it as a battery disconnect is much more appropriate. It accurately describes what its doing and what it should be used for.

I actually thought there was no reason for me to ever use the switch. But, now I know its function, I can see there are many times where its useful. It takes the coach portion of it out of the picture, and makes it a chassis with an engine.

jacwjames · 05-13-2021, 10:01 AM

The "salesman" switch only disables a portion of the load, mine basically shuts off the 12 volt distribution panel. There is still quite a bit of parasitic draw and the inverter will still stay active.

I have 325 watt solar. If I have the "salesman" switch shut off and there is a long bout of cloudy/rainy/dark weather my batteries will deplete. This takes ~week, doesn't happen often so I will monitor and if the batteries start going down I will turn off the house battery rotary disconnect.

I'd recommend shutting of the battery disconnect completely, even for the chassis. They will have to turn it off and on as needed.

Ljwt330 · 05-13-2021, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

The "salesman" switch only disables a portion of the load, mine basically shuts off the 12 volt distribution panel. There is still quite a bit of parasitic draw and the inverter will still stay active.

I have 325 watt solar. If I have the "salesman" switch shut off and there is a long bout of cloudy/rainy/dark weather my batteries will deplete. This takes ~week, doesn't happen often so I will monitor and if the batteries start going down I will turn off the house battery rotary disconnect.

I'd recommend shutting of the battery disconnect completely, even for the chassis. They will have to turn it off and on as needed.

Yes, this is the best recommendation^^.

Your batteries will drain even taking the above advice, due the parasitic draws on both the house and chassis batteries. Turning both disconnect switches to OFF will slow the drain, but not eliminate it. The shops competency in following your directions, and how long they will have your coach, will determine the state of charge when you pick it up.

BigNick1 · 05-13-2021, 10:15 AM

There is a Blue Sea Systems remote switch for the chassis batteries. I can disable the inverter at the Xantrex SCP and on the way out the door disconnect the coach batteries with the battery disconnect switch.

I'm a rookie and learning how things work so pardon my ignorance. I haven't done this process yet but have often thought about how it's done. There is a solar panel for parasitic loads. So, I' ll do a walk through after shut down to verify, inform the shop what state RV is in and hope for the best.

twinboat · 05-13-2021, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNick1

All good advice/info.

I think its kind of a disservice to call the switch a "salesman switch". .

Oh boy, the old timers are going to get all over your for that comment. I posted that, and the replay went on for weeks against it.

There have been many confused new owners looking in the RV and manual for a salesman switch and have to come back and ask.
They seem to think all newbees have to learn their lingo.

Salesman Switch
Battery Disconnect

Maybe its typing the 2 extra characters that keeps them from changing.

MSHappyCampers · 05-13-2021, 12:50 PM

I'm confused (again)! I think I remember that with the main battery disconnect switch in the outside bay turned off, I still had lights inside! I always thought that main switch disconnected everything from the batteries!

BigNick1 · 05-14-2021, 02:07 PM

I shut it down exactly how I said I would , everything seemed to be unpowered as far as I could see except the Xantrex SCP was still powered but it showed no power anywhere. Im thinking its gonna sit all weekend and they will get to it Monday.

YC1 · 05-17-2021, 03:46 AM

Take pictures of your battery compartment switches. Laminate them after you make notes for any drivers to check and turn on or off as necessary. Leave the laminated sheet on the steering wheel or seat.

Any switches by the door you try to protect the batteries with will surely lead you to injured batteries if not worse. Running down batteries is a quick way to the checkbook for replacements.

Heck, make more than one copy of the instructions and put one with the batteries as well.

I did this when keeping my RV in covered storage. They would get the RV out when asked and give it a wash so protecting batteries was paramount. No need to start a trip with hammered electron storage devices.

BigNick1 · 05-17-2021, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

Take pictures of your battery compartment switches. Laminate them after you make notes for any drivers to check and turn on or off as necessary. Leave the laminated sheet on the steering wheel or seat.

Any switches by the door you try to protect the batteries with will surely lead you to injured batteries if not worse. Running down batteries is a quick way to the checkbook for replacements.

Heck, make more than one copy of the instructions and put one with the batteries as well.

I did this when keeping my RV in covered storage. They would get the RV out when asked and give it a wash so protecting batteries was paramount. No need to start a trip with hammered electron storage devices.

That's good advice, thanks. I really need to do something like this for myself as well.

I went to the rig this morning, 13v showing on the Xantrex SCP. Genset started right up and the Xantrex 3012 went into charge mode. So, it would seem my shutdown procedure worked, 2 days under partly cloudy and rainy.. So the solar did its job. I'm thinking it could've gone maybe 2 more days.

As a rookie, I'm learning the rig and this was the first time I did a total shut down for any length of time.

Thanks for all the input...