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Battery cut-out or disconnect switch(es)

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Steve Adams:
After reading the numerous "can't start" threads I went to check our coach which we recently put in storage.

Being new to homes with motors it did not dawn on me to disconnect any of the batteries. When we checked today we could not find any mention of battery cut-off's or disconnects or isolators in any of the manuals nor could we find anything that looked like a switch in the battery compartment.

The coach (2001 Contessa 40" 330 CAT) has only been in storage 3-4 weeks and started right up so either we are lucky or there was nothing going on which would have drained the batteries, so we left it that way.

Should I go back and remove a cable? Would only 1 suffice or should I disconnect positive and negative terminals? Coach and chassis batteries?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Steve

Robert Mathis:
The battery disconnect switches on my Contessa are not in the battery compartment, but in the last compartment in the rear on the passenger side. There should be two switches, one for the chassis batteries and one for the house batteries.

Steve Adams:
Robert, thanks for the reply. I was out there earlier today and only checked the electrical compartment and no switches. I did not think to look in the generator compartment (last compartment on mine).

Thanks again, Steve

Steve Adams:
Still have questions. As Robert suggested I checked the last compartment on the passengers side and every other compartment, no battery cut-off switches. After rereading the owners manual I found this;

"There is a switch on your stairwell that cuts off the house batteries. By tripping this switch you can avoid draining these batteries. Be sure the batteries are charged beforehand. If the coach is stored for a short periond (two weeks or less) plug it into external power. This will retain a full charge on the coach batteries. For long term storage, be sure to disconnect the coach from external power and turn the battery cut-off switch to the OFF position."

I would have thought at least the owners manual would keep the names straight. So please help me out here.

What exactly are the coach batteries for?
What exactly are the chassis batteries for?
Which one of this is most likely the "house" battery?
If the owners manual lists a battery cut-off switch I have to assume there is one. Does anyone have a clue as to where it might be? Could it be inside the coach?
Worst case, can I just lift a red and black lead off both battery banks and call it good?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Steve

Richard And Babs Ames:
What exactly are the coach batteries for?  Your living quarter 12 volt power and the inverter.

 What exactly are the chassis batteries for? Start the engine and genset.

Which one of this is most likely the "house" battery? Probably 6 volt (three caps per battery) and you have at least 4

If the owners manual lists a battery cut-off switch I have to assume there is one. Does anyone have a clue as to where it might be? Could it be inside the coach? Ours is a small switch to a solonoid at the entry door inside.

Worst case, can I just lift a red and black lead. Is an option but must recharge at least monthly.

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