Way to turn popup "off"?

[greenstarfish20]

Hi all, a newbie question (no laughing!)

For storage between trips, is there a way to turn the popup electricity "off" without unhooking the battery? There are two circuit breakers inside but flipping those did not appear to turn things off. The LP detector lights were still on and, a few weeks later, the detector started beeping (presumably because the battery was dying/near dead). I didn't know what to do, so I just left it, but I realize there's got to be a better way.

It's an 05 Rockwood, if it matters.

Thanks so much!
Jessica

 

[CampingFamily1]

We always unplug the little connector to the battery on ours after we park it. We reconnect to charge up the battery 1x / month in the winter.

Do you have the same little connector that easily connects the battery to the wiring harness?

 

[Mr_Custom]

One of the members mods showed that he had mounted a battery disconnect switch on the battery box. Seemed like a pretty good idea.

Mr_Custom
2006 Chev Trail Blazer -2003 Coleman Sun Valley

 

[ogeer3]

I have a battery disconnect switch on my battery box as well. It is easy to disconnect it from the battery that way. If the sensor or anything else runs the battery down and it stays that way for long the battery will be ruined.

Happy Camping!

'05 Silverado TV <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_suv.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Tow Vehicle">
'03 Skamper PUC <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp">
Grand Prairie, TX <img src=../Images/flags/us-army.jpg border=0 align=middle alt="US Army"> <img src=../Images/flags/us-powmia.jpg border=0 align=middle alt="POW/MIA">

 

[mercman]

Pull the fuse from the positive wire going from the battery.
Cheap and easy. Also, recharge your battery, It's not good to leave it discharged.

Chris

01 f-150 <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_suv.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Tow Vehicle">
07 Rockwood 1980, <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp">
Nights Camped 2007 ~ 19

 

[greenstarfish20]

Thanks everyone. I did some investigating, and found I do have a fuse in a little holder right off the battery. Pulled that out-- perfect!

Now I'm wondering what to do about the smaller battery that operates the emergency breakaway. It still has a light on, but I don't see any kind of fuse/switch outside the box. Am I missing something or do I need to open the box (it's sealed with those plastic loops) and investigate? Any ideas?

Thanks so much!
Jessica

 

[Xolthrax]

If you want a truly easy alternative, just install a kill switch. If you look all the way to the right of my converter, you will see a silver toggle switch that turns my batteries on & off:

<img src="http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/22509/2502251220101305190S500x500Q85.jpg" border=0>

It is a 50A DC switch that I picked up at Pep Boys for a couple of bucks.


Joe

<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle>'96 Rockwood Signature Series 1280
<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_suv.gif border=0 align=middle>'07 Ford Explorer

 

[slyspyder]

Sorry to pull up an old thread, but seemed like the best context for my question.

I am a big newbie and am learning about needing to disconnect the battery when not camping....big surprise to me since the dealer didn't mention it! Anyway, I have been reading things to figure out how to install a battery cut-off switch and ran across this thread. My 2004 Rockwood has a fuse that is right by the battery on the outside....if I pull this out, will it effectively turn off the pup (lp monitor, etc)? Are there any consequences to doing this? I mean, can I just plug that sucker right back in and camp away??

Thanks for your help!

2004 Rockwood 1940LTD

Nights camped in 2009 so far: 1

 

[Raycfe]

Should be able to.

83 JaycoJay 806
04 Grand Cherokee

 

[theseus]

Yes if you remove the fuse coming from one of the wires that is attached to the battery, it will turn off anything that is being powered by the battery. Just remember to put it back in before you go camping.

Bruce ______________
2004 Expedition & 2000 Palomino Mustang SL-SG-FT
http://www.thecampingchild.com

 

[slyspyder]

Thanks so much!

It seems like others have chosen to install the switch...what is the advantage to that? I mean, it seems easier just to pull this "main" fuse than to go to the trouble of installing a switch. What am I missing?

2004 Rockwood 1940LTD

Nights camped in 2009 so far: 1

 

[theseus]

There are times that I think about installing a switch, but haven't run out of big mods to do yet.

If I stored my battery on the pup, I would install a switch, since it would be easier to just flip the switch than open the box and replace the fuse.

Bruce ______________
2004 Expedition & 2000 Palomino Mustang SL-SG-FT
http://www.thecampingchild.com

 

[Ray Arnold]

You can get a switch like the ones on this page,BATTERY SWITCH and if you use the one with the key, don't lose the key or let your dog eat it <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Shock">

Ray&Karen Utah,Bo,and Mister.
2008 Fleetwood Avalon
2001 chevy silvarado 8.1 is history
Now its a 2007 Chevy Tahoe

 

[dschlosser]

I installed this battery switch last year. I mounted it on the outside of the battery box in a weather proof junction box that I picked up at Home Depot. I had to drill a hole in the cover of the box to accommodate the key for the switch. I ran the feeds for the converter and other accessories through the switch and bypassed the charge line and the power line for the break away switch.

-Dave
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_jeep.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Jeep">
1988 Coleman Laramie <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp">

 

[Xolthrax]

I like having the switch inside for peace of mind. If there's ever an electrical emergency I can quickly switch it off. It's easy enough to reach in and flip it on if I want to plug in and charge the batteries.


Joe
<img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_pu.gif border=0 align=middle alt="PopUp">'96 Rockwood Signature Series 1280 <img src=../Images/icons/icon_smile_suv.gif border=0 align=middle alt="Tow Vehicle">'07 Ford Explorer
<i>Wherever you go, there you are.</i>

Edited by - Xolthrax on March 30 2009 22:50:47

 

[silvermickey2002]

On our pup we don't have a fuse, but a circuit breaker. So unless we install a switch I disconnect the negative lead from the battery.

<img src="http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/43557/2037212100104339966S500x500Q85.jpg" border=0>

2005 Honda Ody
2002 Ford F150 Supercab 4X4
2008 Fleetwood Seapine

 

[markusarulius]

Re: Way to turn popup \

So if I'm hearing everyone correctly – when the trailer is closed and parked during the week – the battery needs to be disconnected?

...this is due to the LP monitoring system (or other things) drawing power from the battery and draining it?

I'm a new owner and was finding my battery dead after 3 days of being parked and closed up.

I was also getting sparks when connecting the negative lead to the charged battery. I'm guessing this could only mean something is drawing power even when closed.

So I should disconnect the battery every time I park my trailer?

Mark
2003 Coleman Carmel

 

[dupreet]

Re: Way to turn popup \

Thats the 'best' way to take care of any latent drains on the battery, and safer in my opinion.....you never know when wires can get chewed/crossed and things happen.

I am looking at something like this -

http://www.iboats.com/EasyFit_Battery_Switch_On_Off/dm/view_id.342128

when I add a battery to my rig. I would probably mount it to the outside of the battery box. A cheaper alternative is the 'quick connect' terminal switches you can get at the auto parts store, although they require you to open up the battery box to connect/disconnect.

 

[slyspyder]

3 days?

I have been pulling that main fuse off of the battery to be sure, but 3 days sounds awfully short to drain the battery from just the detectors being on. Are you sure you don't have something drawing on the battery? Fridge turned to battery or something?

 

[Raycfe]

Re: Way to turn popup \

You could also use a 30 amp toggle switch. Thats the max draw anyway. No need to over kill it.