RV Battery Disconnect Switch Install

[@GirdHerd]

It's interesting that you installed it on the negative cable. Most every professional installer installs it on the positive cable.

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

i have years of automotive background and always shutoff the grounds. marine is primarily positive. they both accomplish the same in the end though.

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

"Primarily when replacing or working on the battery wiring, if the negative is not disconnected you can cause a short circuit if you touch the positive lead to the RV frame. This can be avoided by disconnecting the negative first or if the battery disconnect is installed on the negative lead the risk is mitigated." for reference no ground, no flow

[@bonusking1224]

Id wager that the instructions say to put it on the negative side as well.

[@mikefranklinjr123]

A few things I see that could lead to an issue. One is the end of the bolt's will eventually ware on the battery. Second is the opening of the disconnect should be pointing down so you get less water in that area. Third, should you connect the disconnect on the positive terminal side?

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

i appreciate the feedback! 1. i have added a foam block in the battery box exactly for that reason since. 2. i have rotated switch so wires come out the bottom at the end of last season (no signs of damage or water intrusion and was just looking at it and thinking snow over the winter 3. i have an automotive background and ALWAYS disconnect the ground . with out a ground a circuit can not be completed . i have noticed marine is usally on the positive side but at the end of the day either way produces the same result. thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@michaelfarmer8671]

I was kinda wondering why he put the switch on the negative.

[@MsRotorwings]

@@michaelfarmer8671 Because he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

[@davez5941]

Curious how close those long bolts are to the battery and if there is any possibility of them contacting the battery side and rubbing or creating a hole in the side of the battery. Did you put something in between them and the battery to prevent this from happening? Looking to put something on my cousins camper. Thank you.

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

Dave Z, they are actually barely longer than the nuts themselves in my case. also i do have a small piece of foam in there as the box was already big for the battery and didn't want it sliding around anyway. another option would be to attach the switch to the frame or the top of the box if there clearance under the lid . some will some wont.

[@michaelfarmer8671]

Mount it on the trailer.

[@davidblunt3501]

hey guy it would be nice if we could see what you actually did.

[@matzpimp]

That's the same weight distribution hitch I got I like it pretty good

[@bonnieharrell8297]

I have a question about the way you hooked your switch up...I've watched 3 videos on this subject and I'm curious as to why you hooked your negative wire to the switch? The reason I ask is ...in the other 2 videos they used the positive wire

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

it comes from my automotive background and first rule on 12v systems is always disconnect NEGATIVE battery cable. you could use either from further research.( marine for instance seems to be positive side) thanks for watching

[@bonnieharrell8297]

@@smorescampingadventures8158 yeah I end-up calling a rv/camper service center and he said you can use either but I did go with the negative because someone commented that if you lose you negative side that 240 volts would go through your appliances but thank you

[@pastelskies8466]

Lining box with foam is good or shorter bolts from the hardware store or rubber thread end caps. Anchor battery and box down with heavy duty nylon straps. I'd add an anti-theft deterrent box.

[@davidpatrick1813]

How do you stop the battery from shifting and wearing a hole through the side by the nuts?

[@mikecoughlin4128]

I’m getting ready to install that exact switch. My plan was to mount it just like you did but I assumed drilling a hole through the battery box and the switch bottom plate to pass wires through would be the way to go. Not exposing any wires. Did you consider that and if so why do it thus way?

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

if you have the rook inside the box , by all means. mine would have been a little tight. there is a cover that goes over the bottom of the switch and i have the cutout side facing down so it may get splashed if raining while driving but ultimately drip dry if that happens. it is 95% outta the weather which i was ok with. it was pouring out our last travel day and we didnt have any issues either.

[@jessbowers]

Would be better to show a close up shot. My switch doesn’t have knockouts in the side- did you make them or did it come with? Or just pinch the cables out to side?

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

Thank you for the feedback! Yes mine has removable sides. I should have included that.

[@jessbowers]

On closer inspection, I was able to take a wrench and pop out a side (when installed it is facing down). I’m all installed and looking good. Thanks for your video, it helped!

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

@@jessbowers awesome!

[@happiinapii]

I thought the disconnect switch goes to the positive cable ?

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

no, you ALWAYS want to control the negative side. it is alot safer. on a 12v system you always want to disconnect the Negative side.

[@happiinapii]

@@smorescampingadventures8158 thank you sir

[@bennettdarren]

@@smorescampingadventures8158 I'm interested in your reasoning... I've always done the positive side.

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

@@bennettdarren it comes from my automotive background and first rule on 12v systems is always disconnect NEGATIVE battery cable. even household wiring you want to control the neutral never the HOT. i hope that helps thanks

[@bennettdarren]

@@smorescampingadventures8158 thanks. I understand that if you are removing the battery completely (first negative then positive) to help avoid arc or tool causing a short... but there is no possibility of that with the switch unless someone left off the back plate. My reasoning for using positive is that you look at any switch in an rv or car and they are always switched off the positive.

[@davidodonnell4036]

I’m a little late to the party. Sorry. What is the other short cable for? I only have one pos and one neg connecting to my battery camper. Thank you.

[@brianoelling4547]

Negative from camper goes to switch. The short is another lead from the switch to the negative post on battery. Positive from camper goes to battery.

[@davidodonnell4036]

I take that back. I have two to each of my terminals.

[@fairrider3346]

WHICH WIRE GOES TO WHICH NUT????

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

it doesn't matter as it just creates a break to stop power flow. just DO NOT PUT POSITIVE ON ONE AND NEGATIVE ON THE OTHER!!! must be both negative or both positive

[@timothyallen9032]

Why did you use it on the negative and not the positive?

[@RVDogVentures1]

Nice video. Thank you.

[@smorescampingadventures8158]

Thank you so much!

[@bonniekoivuniemi2993]

Where can I buy the switch

[@TheMinnow101]

Amazon

[@treadlightly2766]

I don't know if I am stupid but I used one of these disconnects on my portable solar generator build and I have done the exact same thing with the negative cable but no matter what position the switch is in my inverter still gets full power. I did a continuity test and its tests 100% but I'm baffled why I am still producing 13v in the off position.

[@rwreuter]

Bad switch OR your inverter (or something else) is grounding out and completing a path for electricity to flow.

[@papathao4035]

not very informative on where wiring goes. seems video is more about mounting to box

[@neilchapman9266]

How the hel are we supposed to know what you did. You showed absolutely nothing. We need to know how it was wired etc not just how to make 4 holes in a box