Is a on/off switch necessary for batteries?
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Topic: Is a on/off switch necessary for batteries?
Posted By: happywifehappylife
Subject: Is a on/off switch necessary for batteries?
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 12:07am
| I am installing two Group 24 batteries in my Rpod 179, and I am wondering if it is an advantage to have a switch to disconnect the batteries from the trailer's electrical circuits. Or should I just remove the battery box tops and disconnect the negative wires? I just thought the switch would be more convenient. If a switch is recommended, what type of switch would handle all that amperage? |
Replies:
Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 6:07am
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If you're going thru the trouble of going with dual batteries, why not install a battery cutoff? ------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: Q7-retired
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 8:10am
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My problem with the battery switch is where to mount it. I look at the marine-grade switch and can't see that it is waterproof, but maybe it doesn't have to be. Aside from that, let's look at why you might want to have a switch installed, i.e., the requirements, and maybe others will weigh in with their usage tips. 1. the ability to positively cut off all electricity to the rpod when doing electrical wiring or repairs. 2. the ability to disconnect the battery when it/ the rpod is stored without being connected to shore power. 3. in the case of multiple 12V batteries, the ability to use one or the other, plus items above. 4. the ability to connect a battery charger to the batteries without taking them out of their box and without having the rest of the rpod electrically connected during that charging period. These are the only operations I can imagine, and none of them really demand a battery switch since direct wiring control can serve the same requirements. I think it comes down to personal preference. Having offered my unsolicited opinion, are there other uses folks can contribute that might sway the discussion? ------------- Best regards, Jim 2015-RP178 TV 2015 Audi Q7 TDI and 2017 Ford F150 At home in "Our Pod" |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 8:11am
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Way more convenient to have a switch. I mounted mine on the battery box lid. I like the Hella brand keyed switch. Pictures in my mods link. ------------- |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 5:37pm
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While most probably do go with a switch, I do it manually by changing the cables. It takes me a whopping 2 minutes to take off both covers and change cables. Not as "convenient" but it works for me. Add the fact that we go 3 - 4 days before switching batteries when dry camping under cold conditions I get about a week out of both group 24's, that were purchased in spring 2011, and my total time invested changing the battery if I dry camp for 1 week is 2 minutes.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 8:35pm
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With my battery security (see my mods), taking the covers off is not an easy task. A switch is much more convenient. I take the covers off to check the electrolyte, but it is not too often that I have to do it.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: R&J
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2016 at 10:28pm
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My cut off switch is in the corner of the storage cupboard to left of the entry door above the space for the distribution panel, if that helps! ------------- Rhona & John POD: 2015 179 'OzPod' Tow: 2014 Holden Colorado |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2016 at 12:16pm
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You definitely need some way to disconnect the batteries between trips (unless you leave it plugged in) so a switch, or a fuse, makes that easier. I added a 30 amp all-weather blade fuse to my pod since I've seen corrosion issues posted about some switches.
If you are using dual batteries always use them (and charge them) together. You end up getting more total amps out of them than if you use one and then the other (look up Peukert effect if you want gory details). ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Rustler
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 3:43am
Thanks for the head's up. Very interesting reading in the Wikipedia article on Peukert's law. Another good reason to always discharge the pair of batteries together is they will both be at the same state of charge when you begin recharging. I supposed you could charge each one separately. But that would be a bit of a hassle. But it might not hurt to occasionally charge them separately, especially if performing an http://www.trojanbattery.com/BatteryMaintenance/Equalizing.aspx - equalizing charge for flooded batteries.
------------- Russ 2009 Toyota RAV4 V6 w/ tow package 2016 Rpod 171 HRE |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2016 at 12:29pm
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Quick question, Do you know if i can just plug my battery maintainer into the zamp solar port? I have two batteries would this keep both charged? I don't like the idea storing the unit with shore power continuously plugged in for weeks (or months) at a time, as that would mean i'm always using the the onboard converter. do the wires just go straight to the batteries? If i hook up straight to the one battery does it charge both? I have a battery disconnect I just haven't had any time to hook it up yet. thanks John ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: Q7-retired
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2016 at 1:11pm
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John, I do leave my pod plugged in all the time via a 30 amp circuit I wired into my garage. No damage to any system after multiple months of doing so, and the battery was ready to go with no issues. It also means the inside has AC for when i need to spend time inside (such as making mods). If you plug your battery maintainer into the zamp port you are: -- bypassing the built-in inverter, which has smart charging as part of its design. Your battery maintainer will hopefully also have smart charging. Any internal consumers of energy will still get their power from the battery, despite not being connected to shore power. -- still connecting the pod to shore power, since the battery maintainer has to get its energy from somewhere! you're just reducing the current level and limiting what can be done inside. I understand it might be easier to use an extension cord to a lower amperage outlet. So far as i have been able to determine, the zamp wiring goes straight to the battery. Charging two batteries depends on how they're connected: if 6 volt in series or 12 volt in parallel, then you'd be addressing both batteries with the maintainer. However, not all maintainers understand they are connected to multiple batteries, and cell-to-cell differences might result. You might be better off disconnecting multiple batteries from the pod and using individual maintainers, or charging one, then the other. I'm also not sure why you'd use the zamp circuit with the battery maintainer. Why not just connect directly to the battery(ies)? For motorcycles, I've left a Battery Tender connection permanently attached to the battery, led to a position that's easy to connect. Could you expand a bit more on your concern and what you want to accomplish? ------------- Best regards, Jim 2015-RP178 TV 2015 Audi Q7 TDI and 2017 Ford F150 At home in "Our Pod" |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2016 at 8:07pm
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Jim, Thanks for the info! My Rpod is sitting out in the back 40 on a ranch of a friend of mine. I have an extension cord plugged in to a 110 20 amp circuit , but it's a hundred feet away on a 12 gauge cord. I have heard of multiple owners having problems with their converters and felt it might be better to just charge/maintain the batteries while it sits there rather than use an expensive to replace converter if it goes bad due to full time use. Charging them one at a time means i would have to disconnect one or the other because they are still connected together and the current would still go to both? so this seemed like the same thing to me. I was out there today tested /Toned and followed the wires and they do go straight to the batteries, 2-12 volt batteries). I plugged in the charger/maintainer to the Zamp port and it's charging. my charging unit has the same plug. My first mod was to move the spare tire mount to the front triangle, I welded the tire mount between the batteries, to both battery cross braces so the tire sits upright between the batteries and the propane tank, had to move the propane tank forward a four inches to have it all fit. It's a little tight to get to the batteries behind the tire Without taking tire off, and was looking for a simple solution. thanks again! rgds John
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2016 at 5:52pm
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You can connect the maintainer to both batteries at the same time, just connect them on the + of one and the - of the other (for two 12 volt batts). We had a long discussion here about maintainer vs. the converter, and where I used to promote the use of a maintainer to save some power over the long-haul, there is little saved and a lot more hassle. Just use the converter which has 3-stage charging and won't overcharge. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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