

The battery also damages itself from operating at low voltage.Īfter unloading and cleaning following a trip, simply turn the RV battery disconnect switch on. Keep it a few weeks and you may find it dead the next time going for a new camping trip. You don’t really need them running when the unit will stay for a week or month in your garage.īy leaving the RV battery connection on, you let power draw out of your battery. But as mentioned earlier, there are parasitic loads that keep feeding off your battery, such as the stereo and security-related devices. When you are back home and the RV is left idle or is in storage, you may think the battery is in complete rest. Related: Does RV Battery Charge When Plugged in? Advantages of Battery Disconnect Switches Tracking the discharge time is important, since your RV’s 12-volt system will eventually run out like all batteries and need recharging. Adding an inverter on top will convert the 12-volt battery’s direct current to a 120-volt alternating current, enabling you to power appliances that need 120 volts and to use your vehicle’s electrical outlets. When you’re not plugged in, while boondocking or dry camping for instance, your batteries can power anything that runs off 12-volt. If plugged into any power source, such as a campground RV electrical pedestal, the 12-volt battery automatically charges. It provides electricity for heavy-use items like kitchen appliances, TV, and other large electrical appliances. The 120-volt AC is powered by an electrical hookup plug of your RV or an RV generator.

It powers the refrigerator, furnace, water pump, along with several other things. How the Battery Disconnect Function WorksĪn RV relies on two separate electrical systems:ġ2-volt DC is powered by one or more batteries. Installing a switch offers many advantages. These are just a few of many good reasons for installing the switch. When your RV is in storage for a long time and you have accidentally left a light on in a compartment or anything inside, your house batteries do not get drained with the RV battery disconnect switch on. Instead of removing the battery, you can just disconnect the switch.

But a 12 volt battery disconnect switch saves you the hassle. Your motorhome battery disconnect switch preserves the batteries from such draining and helps them last longer.Ĭomplete power shutdown is necessary when you do repairs or other work on your RV. Moreover, your appliances drain your batteries slowly even in an unused state, which can add up over time. It’s also important to shut off the power as a safety measure when you’re doing maintenance. Do Y ou N eed an RV B attery D isconnect Sw itch?Īs the RV battery disconnect switch cuts off your battery from the rest of your unit, and no part of the RV can draw power from the battery, it protects against dangers such as electrical fires and theft. Leaving alone without regular charging will damage even the best RV battery. This prevents parasitic loads such as the stereo, clock, and other appliance circuitry that lead to discharge. The switch disconnects the battery’s electrical power or isolates from the house portion of your RV. Spotting the switch in the RV is quite easy.
