Battery Cut-off or Battery Isolation Switch?

Vagabonds · August 2015

We are making a list of modifications that would make life easier to get done early in our T@b adventure.

Reading the forum I added a battery cut-off switch to the list. Then I read about a battery "isolation" switch which prevents the trailer from draining the TV (yes at first I was one of the ones who thought this meant television!) while hitched.

Are these the same thing? Do you need both? Ifnot the same, must you choose to have one or the other vs. both?

Mercator · August 2015

Your TV may already have battery isolation as part of a factory tow package. My Dodge Journey does. The cut-off switch, which can be located either in the battery box or near the fuse panel, will turn off ALL phantom draws on your battery - things like the propane sniffer and Jensen audio/visual system. If wired correctly, even with the cut-off switch in the off position, a solar panel, if you have one, will still charge the battery, but your converter may not.

Vagabonds · August 2015

Thanks Mercator! Much clearer now! I will check the tow package on our Jeep.

Mouseketab · August 2015

Once you have a T@B, it's easy to tell. Disconnect your battery, plug into your tow vehicle. Crank the engine. Turn on a light on your T@B. If the light comes on you have a charge line. Turn off the engine, if the light goes out, you have an isolation relay. If the light stays on, you do not have an isolation relay.

Battery Cut-off or Battery Isolation Switch?

Comments

Categories