General Boards > Technical Support
Battery cut-out or disconnect switch(es)
Steve Adams:
Richard, thanks for the quick reply and especially for the definitions.
I have a "Coach power" switch by the door as well. I was under the impression that it only controlled the output of the coach batteries and does not disconnect the chassis (starting) batteries. Is that correct?
Thanks again, Steve
Joel Ashley:
Steve-
"House batteries" is just another name for coach batteries. As Richard indicated, they are usually composed of four 6-volt batteries, sometimes called "golf cart" batteries, and are a deep cycle type; that is they are designed to allow many deep discharges and recharges without being significantly damaged. The house batteries provide 12 volt power (by the way they are wired together) to run such things as your interior lights and myriad accessories. Your two chassis batteries are 12 volts each and are basically designed to provide cranking amps for starting your engine and powering components necessary to the drive train operation and demands typical to regular automotive needs such as in your car. Unlike the coach ones, the chassis batteries do not survive well if deeply discharged. Not switching them off or disconnecting them means small parasitic drains of always-on electronic components can leave you with low engine cranking power after long term storage, and each such deep discharge shortens the life of chassis batteries.
The rocker switch by the door, at least in our '06 Beaver, merely serves to conveniently turn off most interior coach features so they don't unduly sap your house batteries if you're away for awhile. It does not disconnect the chassis batteries, and, as I understand it, it does not totally disconnect the entire coach side and is therefore not adequate for long term shut down/storage.
Our rig has 2 large rotary shutoff switches in the battery bay, one for the chassis set and one for the coach set. Those switches are the ones to use for long term storage. On your coach or any other I would presume them to be located in an exterior bay somewhere, and likely not far from the battery tray. Unfortunately I have to plead some ignorance of your model coach, though I'm sure there are other forum members with the same rig that will chime in and enlighten us. Gerald probably knows also.
Using cutoff switches for long term storage also positively protects against drain from an inadvertantly left-on accessory, and also keeps any as yet undiscovered short circuits from running things down.
If you are in Portland and want to see if I can help find the switches, send me an email.
Joel
Clackamas
Steve Adams:
Joel, thanks for the detailed info on the battery system and the offer to come out and help me find the switch. I'm going to keep looking and if I still can't find it I'll give you a shout. I can't believe that there is one that is this well hidden! I guess no one ever thought a Beaver would be stored!!
Thanks again, Steve
John Fearnow:
Steve,
My 2002 Patriot Thunder 40' (c-12) did not have a chassis battery cut-off switch. This was in spite of the fact that Monaco tech assist person assured me it did. Loren at Bend also said it had to have one but Steve (the chassis tech at Bend) said that indeed some coaches were built without them. I had one installed in the battery compartment and it made a big difference. Before it was installed I had to jump start after two weeks in covered storage. Before I had the switch installed I disconnected the ground cable and that seemed to save the battery.
John Fearnow
Gerald Farris:
Steve,
Today I looked at a 2002 Contessa here at Quartzsite to see where the battery cut off switch was located, and found to my surprise that it did not have one. Therefore I would say that there is a high probablity that your coach does not have one either since the 2001 and 2002 Contessas are almost identical.
Gerald
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