Battery disconnect

Originally posted by JohnBG Originally posted by StephenH Caution! If you are going to disconnect the battery either by disconnecting the terminal or by using a switch, make sure it is the NEGATIVE (-) terminal. I just finished my installation. Why the negative?  With the positive connected there is still the chance you could accidentally ground something in the system causing sparkage.

Yes, but if the loose positive makes contact with the frame, you'd get much worse than sparkage, i.e. a short circuit.

Originally posted by techntrek 3rd option that I used with our pod: Add a weatherproof fuse holder so it sticks outside of the battery box. Insert 30 amp fuse, pull fuse to disconnect.

I will probably do this eventually. It keeps everything sealed up while disconnected and is more reliable than a switch.

Originally posted by Idaklee Stephen H, this is what my dealer offered me. But now I see the sign saying they changed their hourly rate to $130 an hour, I guess I'm going to pass!!   But thanks to everyone...I learn something new every time I visit!

That is excessive! It really is not a difficult job to install one. I looked for a place that would have adequate clearance between the top of the battery and top of the lid for me to mount the switch inside the cover. I used a drill with a hole saw to drill an appropriate size hole in the lid. I used stainless steel screws and locknuts to fasten the switch to the cover. Wiring is simple. Remove the cable from the negative terminal. Mount it to one post of the switch. Use another cable (your local auto parts store should have an appropriate one) to run between the other post of the switch and the negative terminal of the battery. Put cover back in place and you are done.

Nothing is beyond the abilities of the average person to do. If you can handle a screwdriver, wrench, and drill, you are more than capable of doing this yourself. If you don't have the tools, you could buy them and still be way ahead of paying the dealer to do this. In any case, a cordless drill is a handy thing to have. Team it with the appropriate socket and adapter, and you have a fast and easy way to lower/raise the stabilizer jacks. That alone makes the purchase of a cordless drill worthwhile.

This is the one I purchased (pictured above):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DUUL9W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s0

It is supposed to be water tight. I anticipate it giving good service.

Originally posted by furpod I put mine right on the battery box. It can actually be anywhere between the battery and the distribution box. Several have mounted them inside. Depending on the switch, $30 is probably mid pack..