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Tbslants View Drop Down
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Joined: 12 Jul 2014
Location: Brunswick, ME
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Battery Disconnect
    Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 8:45am
Thanks CharlieM Smile
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 1:57pm
Originally posted by Tbslants

Newbie to R-POD..The switch instruction said to connect it to the negative side...is that an issue?  Does it matter which side?Thanks


Electrically there's not much difference between positive or negative.

Convention usually dictates disconnecting the positive as Techntrek suggests.

From a safety standpoint some suggest disconnecting the negative cable in a vehicle. This is because a loose negative cable hitting the frame or chassis of the vehicle will do no damage, but a positive cable hitting the vehicle chassis could cause a short circuit. This is only a problem if there is another source of current such as a running alternator or on-board converter/charger. For permanent installation I prefer the disconnect in the positive side.
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Posts: 10 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jul 2014 at 11:44am
Newbie to R-POD..The switch instruction said to connect it to the negative side...is that an issue?  Does it matter which side?Thanks
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 1:31pm
The big battery bank died after 4 1/2 years.  I bought cheap batteries so I only expected it to last 5 years, so I got close.  At that point I modified the Prius to power the UPS and it made much more $ sense to use that for long-term base loads than to spend the big $$$ to replace the big battery bank. 
 
The Prius burns about 0.13 gallons/hr to power my house, and I just ran a test last weekend with my new inverter-generator Honda and it was about 0.15.  Far cheaper than replacing that big battery bank for overnight and daytime use.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 9:54am
Wow Doug. That is so cool! What died? The Prius or the UPS? I get "the look" when I just walk around my wife's car - not brave enough to do what you did.

Now I gotto look up the towing capacity of a Tesla!

fred
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Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 9:45am

If anyone is coming through MD you are welcome to some of the ones I have.  I dismantled my big battery bank last year (which I used with this system) when it died and now I use a much smaller one.  No need for those cables.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 8:34am
I recently went to dual (6v.) batteries too and found starter cable on sale @ Tractor Supply for $5.99! Bargain.

Yesterday, I bought 40' of 10AWG thin stand for adding a couple more 12v. outlets. Home Depot - $0.39 a foot. Thought that was a pretty good deal too.

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2014 at 7:48am
Originally posted by Outbound

Originally posted by cody91

I was having trouble finding 6 gauge wire.

Just use a couple of starter cables - they're perfect for the job and available most everywhere automotive parts are sold.

I was just going to say that I converted my Rig over for Dual battery and I used starter cables to connect them. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2014 at 9:47pm
Very cheap at Walmart, I used about 18 of them to connect a bunch of deep cycle batteries I had for years.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2014 at 5:17pm
Originally posted by cody91

I was having trouble finding 6 gauge wire.

Just use a couple of starter cables - they're perfect for the job and available most everywhere automotive parts are sold.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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