Installing a Battery Disconnect Switch

[Bob Denman]

Hi Guys!
So the Missus took me up to Campers Barn this morning, and we did some shopping...
I picked up the disconnect switch (finally!), and am planning on nailing it in place tomorrow.
My question:
Once I figure out which side of the batteries gets it; should I install it to the hot lead, or to the ground cable?

[Pete'sMH]

Negative

[JamieGeek]

Negative side: Its safer as the chassis is ground and if you inadvertently short a cable against the chassis it would be better for that cable to be at ground then at 12V.

In my case the knife switch I purchased wouldn't fit on the + post--they are different sizes.

[tnedator]

I was planning to check to see if there was one already on my ACE next time I'm out there, but forgot today when I was checking out my hot water heater issue.

The other day when I transferred it to where it is stored, I hit the store switch and drove away and then the wife realized we forgot to turn off and open the fridge. When I went back, I discovered that power to the inverter does not get shut off when you hit the store switch.

I'm going to have to remember to always turn the inverter off or it will be sitting there draining the battery. Not only does the inverter have a certain amount of overhead (amp draw) even when not in use, but the outside fridge is on an inverted outlet, so if that isn't turned off, the inverter would be powering that fridge and I would go back to a dead battery.

[Bob Denman]

The negative side it is:

Tanks A Lot 02.jpg