That's an easy location to install the disconnect switch. Just FYI. If you unintentionally tow with the disconnect switch turned off, your electric trailer brakes will not have any power if the emergency breakaway switch is applied. The manufacturers wire the disconnect switch beyond the junction box (brakes get their power from here) under the front of the trailer to make sure the brakes always have battery power in an emergency.
I really like your thought process and installation of this switch. I was grappling with making mine waterproof and you really appear to have done that very well...so I will be copying what you have done
I just upgraded t a 24' hybrid, camper trailer and was looking for a battery switching solution. With two of these switches, some creative wiring -- problem solved. Nice tutorial -- thanks for posting!
Well done! Nothing wrong with being a tad OCD. A tad OCD (for me) simply means when I decide to do something, it's going to be done the best I can do it.
Really good idea, but I made a couple of modifications. I used a large battery box which gave me a little extra space to mount the switch on the side of the box, and cut two Styrofoam blocks to fill the extra space on both sides of the battery. This change also allows me to access the the battery, and remove the top of the box without having to tuck the wires back in each time. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for this, it was a great presentation. A question...if you boondock and add a second battery, will this disconnect both or do you need to do something extra?
Great little vid, probably the best I've seen on this subject matter. Gonna copy this idea to make it a one switch power for all my tricks on the kayak.
Very nice video! I am interested in the type of drill bits you used to drill through the hard plastic battery box. Thanks for the tip on using a washer to connect a cable with a positive size end ring to the negative terminal. The cut off switch I have is a bit different than your's, but I will use what I learned here. Thanks!
I have a question and hope you can answer. My new camper has 2 batteries. One negative cable is going directly to an inverted inside, one negative cable goes directly to a grounding block mounted on the frame and the last negative cable goes to the other battery. Which one of those cables goes to the disconnect switch???
David Leyva I'm pretty sure it's the grounding block.. Although I would be concerned about the inverter.. You may want to consult whoever installed the inverter. reason is there's a chance that the coach tries to ground all of its Electronics through the inverter instead of through the frame.
RVdaydream I was kinda thinking the same thing. I unplugged the inverter from the outlet in the storage space hoping the propane leak detector and stereo would turn off but no luck. I just had it delivered and will have to call the dealer and make sure like you said. I dont think I'll ever use the inverter. Supposedly it's only for the fridge.
David Leyva, I have the same design as you. In order to remove all the power using items from the batteries, both negative wires need to be connected to the camper side of the switch and the battery ground goes to the other side of the switch. Also, the AC plug on your inverter is simply used for AC power pass-thru.
Thanks for the video, I am trying to do the same with my TT. What gauge cable is better for the extension. From what I am reading 2 gauge is suppose to be better. On Amazon 2 gauge cable is cheaper than 4 gauge for the same brand and size.
Good video and good install. BUT... I don’t like that type of switch due to the fact that you can’t remove the key when it’s in the on position. I want to either keep the key with me or have no key at all, just a button. Thanks☮️
The only issues that I had was the rubber boot that helped keep it dry when the key was out became dry-rotted under the hot sun. All the switches are very sensitive to being over tightened so just be careful when tightening down your connections that you don't spin the stud internally in the switch and cause it to break.
Have the switch you recommended coming in. What diameter hole did you drill to install into battery box? Want to predrill the box before I leave on a trip, then install when I arrive. Thanks. Skid-Lee
something to consider when disconnecting the ground lead is that if you turn the switch off while Towing, not only will the battery not charge but your Breakaway cable won't work.
I think it doesn't do bad even if the key has no boot. Remember the switch is like a "BRIDGE". If you blown up a bridge, it just disconnect. Even if some water get inside the boot, if this switch is install on negative side, it will still work. No harm will be done.
and water is very good conductor of electricity too. As long as this switch is install on negative side of the battery but of course as much as possible you don't want any elements/debris to get inside the operating area of the switch.
I am confused you used the negative cable did you cut the end off and added a different connection so it would work with the switch and not connected to the battery cable connection?
Trevor G the negative cable coming from the RV is connected to one side of the switch and then the other side of the switch is connected to the negative cable that runs to the battery negative post
That would be fine.. 100amp continuous 1000amp surge.. As long as you are not pumping amps into the batteries from multiple solar panels through the switch (which nobody should be doing) it is OK for a few batteries.. You gotta figure your furnace is one of the biggest '"amp hogs" at about 14 amps (unless you have a 12volt refrigerator that one uses a decent amount) everything else 12volt in the RV runs 1-7 amps each from a single led light bulb up to a 20" TV.
Gray Bruer Not sure.. I think they were 5/16" holes maybe 1/4" they were rivets I had laying around that were left over from another project.. Just take switch to hardware store and make sure the rivets you buy are same hole size as switch and long enough to not only go through the switch but also go through the thickness of the battery box lid that you'll be drilling through and you'll be fine..
Dave Zweerink standard Automotive Gage battery wire they can be found that Advance Auto Parts hanging on the wall. You don't need very big wire. The only reason I used automotive battery wires because it was available. Reason is, the RVs have very small wire that run to the charger converter. So you only have to be concerned with the amount of electricity that small wire can pull from the batteries. So as long as you stay bigger than that you'll be fine.
If a cable becomes loose because of the additional connections being made or if the switch becomes grounded somehow (not on a plastic install like this but a frame or body mounted one) there is no chance of a short to positive. The wire or switch will short to its original connection, the negative.
Doesn't make a difference if I showed where the wire went. Unless you have the exact same model of RV that I have and have the exact same options that I have you still wouldn't know where to connect it. You need to know some basic electricity before you start working on wiring on your RV. That's how fires and electrocution happen...
I would never put it there. I have two reasons. When you take off the battery cover it’s going to be a nuisance with cables connected to it. The other one I want it hidden so some juvenile can’t come and just turn off my power
The key comes out.. So no issue there. Also not very often does the battery cover even need to be touched.. It's worked for us, this is the 2nd RV we have installed it on..
+biblesnbarbells Sure Thing! I just finished Installing a Electric Jack (video to come soon) and was glad that switch was on there... It made life a lot easier!!
Thanks this was very helpful. You are very detail oriented which is helpful in explaining things that many other people just brush by.
That's an easy location to install the disconnect switch. Just FYI. If you unintentionally tow with the disconnect switch turned off, your electric trailer brakes will not have any power if the emergency breakaway switch is applied. The manufacturers wire the disconnect switch beyond the junction box (brakes get their power from here) under the front of the trailer to make sure the brakes always have battery power in an emergency.
I really like your thought process and installation of this switch. I was grappling with making mine waterproof and you really appear to have done that very well...so I will be copying what you have done
I just upgraded t a 24' hybrid, camper trailer and was looking for a battery switching solution. With two of these switches, some creative wiring -- problem solved. Nice tutorial -- thanks for posting!
+djennulat Thanks! and Good job on your part!!!
So well done! Thank you for the detail. Excellent instruction.
Well done! Nothing wrong with being a tad OCD. A tad OCD (for me) simply means when I decide to do something, it's going to be done the best I can do it.
👍😁....👍😁....👍😁
Great tutorial! Love the way you talk through your solutions as you go. We will be installing on ASAP!
Thanks 😁👍
You just made me look like the coolest guy in the whole world to my wife! Thank you!
Really good tutorial and tips. Thanks for sharing.
+JustPeg You are welcome!
Really good idea, but I made a couple of modifications. I used a large battery box which gave me a little extra space to mount the switch on the side of the box, and cut two Styrofoam blocks to fill the extra space on both sides of the battery. This change also allows me to access the the battery, and remove the top of the box without having to tuck the wires back in each time. Thanks for the tip.
Another note. I used an old innertube and cut a gasket to seal the switch opening in lieu of silicon.
@@robertquinn3236 so you cut the tube the diameter of the switch and used rivets or screws to puncher the inter tube/gasket?
Nice video. Remember you always want the switch on the positive side of the battery.
Positive and positive lead terminal?
Thanks for this, it was a great presentation. A question...if you boondock and add a second battery, will this disconnect both or do you need to do something extra?
Great little vid, probably the best I've seen on this subject matter. Gonna copy this idea to make it a one switch power for all my tricks on the kayak.
Thanks!! Glad it Helped out !!!
Very nice video! I am interested in the type of drill bits you used to drill through the hard plastic battery box. Thanks for the tip on using a washer to connect a cable with a positive size end ring to the negative terminal. The cut off switch I have is a bit different than your's, but I will use what I learned here. Thanks!
I used a de-burring bit in a die grinder. I started with a small hole and slowly opened it up by going round and round.
Thanks for sharing. Best video out there for hooking up a battery cutoff switch. Easy to follow. Thanks
Great video.....but I see some people on amazon say it failed and was not water tight.....did you have this problem?
Great video! I just received the switch from Amazon and will be installing it asap.
thank you for taking the time to post this video.
Kevin McGrade Sure thing! 👍😊
Got my disconnect switch will try and install it this weekend. thanks for the video
Great!!! Hope it all goes well
Awesome how-to and review, i plan to do this on my TT with 2 batteries inline.
Thanks. Glad it helped out. 😁
I have a question and hope you can answer. My new camper has 2 batteries. One negative cable is going directly to an inverted inside, one negative cable goes directly to a grounding block mounted on the frame and the last negative cable goes to the other battery. Which one of those cables goes to the disconnect switch???
David Leyva I'm pretty sure it's the grounding block.. Although I would be concerned about the inverter.. You may want to consult whoever installed the inverter. reason is there's a chance that the coach tries to ground all of its Electronics through the inverter instead of through the frame.
RVdaydream I was kinda thinking the same thing. I unplugged the inverter from the outlet in the storage space hoping the propane leak detector and stereo would turn off but no luck. I just had it delivered and will have to call the dealer and make sure like you said. I dont think I'll ever use the inverter. Supposedly it's only for the fridge.
David Leyva, I have the same design as you. In order to remove all the power using items from the batteries, both negative wires need to be connected to the camper side of the switch and the battery ground goes to the other side of the switch. Also, the AC plug on your inverter is simply used for AC power pass-thru.
if its off, is there chance that it drains if theres a parasitic draw? thanks great video!
Thanks for the video, I am trying to do the same with my TT. What gauge cable is better for the extension. From what I am reading 2 gauge is suppose to be better. On Amazon 2 gauge cable is cheaper than 4 gauge for the same brand and size.
Great Video! Great idea mounting the switch in the battery box! How is the switch holding up after a few years?
No issues 😁👍
Installed mine today..perfect fit and works great..thanks for the video
Good video and good install. BUT... I don’t like that type of switch due to the fact that you can’t remove the key when it’s in the on position. I want to either keep the key with me or have no key at all, just a button. Thanks☮️
Very good video, thanks for taking the time to RUclips it!!!
Very cool.
Good video. Could you install this on the trailer frame next to the battery box? Just wondering....
with a bracket I am sure you could BUT, it wouldn't be protected from the elements on the side that would normally be inside the battery box..
The switch in the link did not get very good reviews on Amazon. Have you had any issues with yours since posting this ?
The only issues that I had was the rubber boot that helped keep it dry when the key was out became dry-rotted under the hot sun. All the switches are very sensitive to being over tightened so just be careful when tightening down your connections that you don't spin the stud internally in the switch and cause it to break.
Thanks for the great video.
you did not mention what size hole you drilled threw the box
Have the switch you recommended coming in. What diameter hole did you drill to install into battery box? Want to predrill the box before I leave on a trip, then install when I arrive. Thanks.
Skid-Lee
He didn't predrill just used a deburing tool 😁
What size rivets? Great presentation BTW.
I believe they are listed in the description, don't quite remember what size lol
Great tips. Thanks for the link for the switch!
Thanks for the video! I used it to install my own in the same way. Big help!
+Tony Ragusa Alright! Way to Go!! Glad it worked out..Thanks for watching!
something to consider when disconnecting the ground lead is that if you turn the switch off while Towing, not only will the battery not charge but your Breakaway cable won't work.
Xandria Smith Good point.. I don't have a charging wire that is wired into the 7pin connector BUT, I leave the switch on when towing..
I think it doesn't do bad even if the key has no boot. Remember the switch is like a "BRIDGE". If you blown up a bridge, it just disconnect. Even if some water get inside the boot, if this switch is install on negative side, it will still work. No harm will be done.
and water is very good conductor of electricity too. As long as this switch is install on negative side of the battery but of course as much as possible you don't want any elements/debris to get inside the operating area of the switch.
if you have 2 batteries wired in parallel is this still going to cut power to TT??
Sorry if I missed it but what type battery box and cut off switch did you use. Working on a 1972 ideal travel trailer.
The links are in the video description..😁
Very good presentation, saved me some money.
☑😁
Excellent video. Thank you
Awesome and informative video! Thank you so much!
You did a great job! I wouldn't have done any different!!!
Doc savage 👍😁
How 70 people can give ya a thumbs down is beyond me. Devil is in the details. Thumbs up!
only reason i believe is most people disconnect the positive.?
I am confused you used the negative cable did you cut the end off and added a different connection so it would work with the switch and not connected to the battery cable connection?
Trevor G the negative cable coming from the RV is connected to one side of the switch and then the other side of the switch is connected to the negative cable that runs to the battery negative post
What is the max amps this switch can handle. I want to run 2 batteries on my TT and want a disconnect switch.
That would be fine.. 100amp continuous 1000amp surge.. As long as you are not pumping amps into the batteries from multiple solar panels through the switch (which nobody should be doing) it is OK for a few batteries.. You gotta figure your furnace is one of the biggest '"amp hogs" at about 14 amps (unless you have a 12volt refrigerator that one uses a decent amount) everything else 12volt in the RV runs 1-7 amps each from a single led light bulb up to a 20" TV.
Great Video, It was well explained. Thanks
Can you post the sizes of what you drilled out and the sizes of your pop rivets
Gray Bruer Not sure.. I think they were 5/16" holes maybe 1/4" they were rivets I had laying around that were left over from another project.. Just take switch to hardware store and make sure the rivets you buy are same hole size as switch and long enough to not only go through the switch but also go through the thickness of the battery box lid that you'll be drilling through and you'll be fine..
Fantastic, patient explanation. Thanks!!
cmprice1427 👍😁
Helped a ton!!!!! Thank you so much!!!
what if you have dual batteries? do you need one for each battery ?
No you just need to wire your batteries in parallel and install it on the negative ground
after 6 years how has the switch held up?
We have since sold it about 2 1/2 years ago.. We seen the owner a yr ago and he said everything was working great!!
@@Rvdaydream Thank you, I have ordered my switch and box and will be installing them soon.
Well done, thanks for the ideas.
Glad it helped out. 😊
is that white cable u r ground of vehicle?
White is ground to frame and red is positive
*NOTE: This can be installed faster than it takes to watch this video... LoL But, an excellent finished product.
Excellent, just what a newbie needs: simple and direct- thanks.
👍😁
Battery saver/turn off for RV. WORKS WELL
☑😁
Could you be more descriptive of where that white wire's connection was from? It was hard to see in the video.
Looks like the white wire comes from the rv itself
will tbis disconnect switch work on a 12v 35 amp battery?
I looked for an amp rating on the switch but none was provided...I can tell by RV Battery cable that the amps are low BUT, how low?, I am not sure..
nice upgrade, thanks.
+SKPjoe Coursegold It'has been a long time coming!!
Very well done thank you Sir.
Thank you!
Great video thanks !
😁✅
Good information. Thanks!
☑😁
Great job thanks for sharing.
😁☑
What gauge wire did you use?
Dave Zweerink standard Automotive Gage battery wire they can be found that Advance Auto Parts hanging on the wall. You don't need very big wire. The only reason I used automotive battery wires because it was available. Reason is, the RVs have very small wire that run to the charger converter. So you only have to be concerned with the amount of electricity that small wire can pull from the batteries. So as long as you stay bigger than that you'll be fine.
Nice job and thank you
👍😁
Just wondering, why would you switch the ground...
If a cable becomes loose because of the additional connections being made or if the switch becomes grounded somehow (not on a plastic install like this but a frame or body mounted one) there is no chance of a short to positive. The wire or switch will short to its original connection, the negative.
thank you and it was a simple easy video so I dont understand the 77 dislikes
Trolls lol.... Thanks for watching 😁
great job ty for shareing stay safe out there
+JOHNNY EXPLORES 😉 YOU GOT IT!
Great job, thanks.
+Two Pesos Thanks and You are Welcome!!
Were can I get a disconnect store that reaches the front of my car
Dovid Goldberg Advance Auto Parts has battery disconnect switches for automobiles.
RVdaydream ok thanks
very good video.............................
+New Beginnings with Budhi and Cyndi Thanks!!
perfect video
👍😁
Nice work
thomas dipaolo 👍😁
good work
😁✔
RVdaydream
OK ... Awsome
i did Subscribe
Never once did you say what wire goes where,that's why I watched it. Hello........
Doesn't make a difference if I showed where the wire went. Unless you have the exact same model of RV that I have and have the exact same options that I have you still wouldn't know where to connect it. You need to know some basic electricity before you start working on wiring on your RV. That's how fires and electrocution happen...
I would never put it there. I have two reasons. When you take off the battery cover it’s going to be a nuisance with cables connected to it. The other one I want it hidden so some juvenile can’t come and just turn off my power
The key comes out.. So no issue there. Also not very often does the battery cover even need to be touched.. It's worked for us, this is the 2nd RV we have installed it on..
Gr8.....thanks for being anal ….I like your ideas.
Thank you for video. Works perfect
Very good video, thank you!
Great video, thanks!
😁👍
Thanks for the vid!
+biblesnbarbells Sure Thing! I just finished Installing a Electric Jack (video to come soon) and was glad that switch was on there... It made life a lot easier!!
Thanks for the info. I am going to buy the same switch and install on my R-Pod. Looking forward to your electric jack vid. Take care. Anthony.
biblesnbarbells 😁