Disconnect Switch Use

KaomRuns

holy cow!! Have I been doing it wrong!?! My understanding was ANYTIME I am using electricity inside the camper I had to turn the disconnect switch on. It’s what I was originally told and have just gone with it. After reading through the boards it appears I have been doing it wrong for what I need. Below is now how I understand I should use the disconnect switch. If I am on shore power and do not need to be charging batteries I can leave it in the off position? Anyone agree/disagree?

storage - switch off (solar will charge or direct charger to maintain)

In transit - switch on (not sure why other than cooling the fridge)

Boondocking - switch on

Shore power - switch off (does not charge the battery)

Shore power - switch on (charges the battery)

AnOldUR

An addition to "In transit" is that your emergency breakaway brakes will not function if the battery disconnect is in the off position.

The general rule is to always have the disconnect on unless storing for a month or more. An exception is if you have the older (non lithium compatible) WFCO, solar and a lithium battery. In this case, when on shore power turn off the disconnect so that only solar is charging the battery.

ScottG

@KaomRuns, I agree with your assessment of how to use the switch. Having the switch ON in transit is particularly important for proper function of the emergency breakaway brakes, as noted by @AnOldUR. Also, it allows your tow vehicle to provide some charge to the battery when connected via the pigtail.

I generally keep my switch OFF whenever I'm not using the battery (e.g. when parked at home or camping with shore power), but it probably doesn't make much of a difference in these cases.