Can anyone explain the purpose and use of the "Battery Disconnect Switch" in my fifth wheel? When should it be "on" and when should it be "off"?
Thanks
Al

-- Edited by poweredbytheholyghost on Tuesday 13th of October 2009 08:39:46 PM

Off if you are going to store it for a long time so that the the battery will not be drained by parasitic electrical items and you have no 110 to run the converter.If you have 110 available be sure to check battery water often.I have heard both leave it on and turn it off if plugged in. Soon someone with more knowledge will post.

Your detectors, other than maybe the smoke detector are tied into the 12V elec system and will draw the battery bank down over an extended period, such as storage. If you are going to be away from the rig for more than 4 or 5 days and will not be able to trickle charge the battery you might want to use the battery disconnect switch, or you run the risk of returning to a dead battery.  Of course it all hinges on how much battery power you have and how long you will be gone.  One would think a CO2 detector would draw very little power, and it does but its on 24/7.  
 
Flyone

Turn it off to store. Oherwise you'll end up having to crank up the landing gear to hitch up the 5th wheel. It's not fun.....when the battery is dead and you're trying to get out of town. I leave mine on at all times except when I store the fifth wheel.