Question - disconnecting the couch batteries

[SANDDOG]

I’m concerned that discounting the couch batteries may cause issues. When not in use is it ok to install manual disconnect switch for the couch batteries, to eliminate any power draw. Or I could just pop off the negative wires. And put the couch BT’s on a trickle charger, is there any harm ?
not sure if relevant but its a 2017 34.2 Miramar

Thanks All, Bryan

[Bob Denman]

If you disconnect the batteries, and hook them up to a battery maintainer: you're being about as kind to them, as anyone could ever expect you to be.
I put a disconnect switch in my rig; but pulling the leads off of the batteries is also a great choice.

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1553543736

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by SANDDOG

I’m concerned that discounting the couch batteries may cause issues. When not in use is it ok to install manual disconnect switch for the couch batteries, to eliminate any power draw. Or I could just pop off the negative wires. And put the couch BT’s on a trickle charger, is there any harm ?
not sure if relevant but its a 2017 34.2 Miramar

Thanks All, Bryan

Bryan
To kill the power at the batreries youll need to disconnect the positve cable running to the BIM, battery isolation manager. The bim is in the back of the battery compartment. If you dont the bim will draw power from your chassis battery and drain it.

It took several phone calls for me to get the proper correct info while installing my disconnect

Below is a pic of the bim from the manufacturers site and one of mine which is hard to see. To get to it with the batteries in place you have to crawl under the mh and acces from the rear

Jerry

[halfprice]

my disconnect

[SANDDOG]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If you disconnect the batteries, and hook them up to a battery maintainer: you're being about as kind to them, as anyone could ever expect you to be.
I put a disconnect switch in my rig; but pulling the leads off of the batteries is also a great choice.

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1553543736

Hey Bob - thanks a million, will get disconnect switch installed. I was concerned with disconnecting batteries in the couch or engine could cause the check engine light to come on or coach issues. Its not easy clearing the check engine light. Best Bryan

[SANDDOG]

Originally Posted by halfprice

Bryan
To kill the power at the batreries youll need to disconnect the positve cable running to the BIM, battery isolation manager. The bim is in the back of the battery compartment. If you dont the bim will draw power from your chassis battery and drain it.

It took several phone calls for me to get the proper correct info while installing my disconnect

Below is a pic of the bim from the manufacturers site and one of mine which is hard to see. To get to it with the batteries in place you have to crawl under the mh and acces from the rear

Jerry

Attachment 16349Attachment 16350

Wow you Thor guys are so great ! I really appreciate the help, I’m new to Thor RV. I kind’a figured the engine battery would become the next food source for power needs, all make since. Thanks Bryan

[lwmcguire]

Tuscany comes standard with Chassis battery disconnect. I don't know which other Thor products do. I use it when storing and it certainly works.

[TurnerFam]

while my motorhome doesn't have couch batteries, it does have 4 coach batteries, otherwise called the House battery bank : )

so, I would want to know if you are concerned about your 'coach/HOUSE' batteries, or are you referring to your 'CHASSIS/Vehicle' batteries...

[10scDust]

SANDDOG, you may have a battery system isolator already on your rig.
There are different looking ones, made by different mfr's.
The isolator relay is supposed to keep coach & chassis batteries from being connected to cause a power drain, and at the same time monitor both systems while a charge source is present on either side, and determine if it should let charging volts over to the other side (coach or chassis)
There has been lots of discussion on this forum on that topic already.

I guess what I really want to say is, make sure you get a battery disconnect switch, if that is your goal.

Precision circuits makes the one in the picture halfprice posted on post #3.
Note that one is a BIM in the nomenclature, it is a Battery Isolation Manager.
The same company makes one that looks similar, instead has BD in the name, stands for Battery Disconnect.

[SANDDOG]

Originally Posted by 10scDust

SANDDOG, you may have a battery system isolator already on your rig.
There are different looking ones, made by different mfr's.
The isolator relay is supposed to keep coach & chassis batteries from being connected to cause a power drain, and at the same time monitor both systems while a charge source is present on either side, and determine if it should let charging volts over to the other side (coach or chassis)
There has been lots of discussion on this forum on that topic already.

I guess what I really want to say is, make sure you get a battery disconnect switch, if that is your goal.

Precision circuits makes the one in the picture halfprice posted on post #3.
Note that one is a BIM in the nomenclature, it is a Battery Isolation Manager.
The same company makes one that looks similar, instead has BD in the name, stands for Battery Disconnect.

Ok great information learning so much from you all, all you all.

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by SANDDOG

Wow you Thor guys are so great ! I really appreciate the help, I’m new to Thor RV. I kind’a figured the engine battery would become the next food source for power needs, all make since. [emoji144] Thanks Bryan

Bryan
Ill emphasize this one more time. Check to see if you have a bim. Pretty sure you do. Find the positive cable from battery that goes to the bim. That's the cable you will need to attach to the disconnect. Any of the other cables wont work

Jerry

[SANDDOG]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

while my motorhome doesn't have couch batteries, it does have 4 coach batteries, otherwise called the House battery bank : )

so, I would want to know if you are concerned about your 'coach/HOUSE' batteries, or are you referring to your 'CHASSIS/Vehicle' batteries...

I'm just learning the RV lingo , to me a chassis battery is the same as you would find under the hood of any on road vehicle. And coach batteries AKA housebasically runs the house or coach systems, if wrong still learning

[SANDDOG]

Originally Posted by halfprice

Bryan
Ill emphasize this one more time. Check to see if you have a bim. Pretty sure you do. Find the positive cable from battery that goes to the bim. That's the cable you will need to attach to the disconnect. Any of the other cables wont work

Jerry

Jerry - thank you very much will be up dating the shut off SW for coach and engine batteries. I have in storage other week, Its new to me
I'm fairly certain that Thor has not installed the cut off SW as an additional feature . I think it’s all aftermarket for this year.,
Thank you looking forward using the rig.

Bryan

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

while my motorhome doesn't have couch batteries...

I was thinking that he had installed a really fancy; heated, vibrating couch...

[SANDDOG]

Guys – Speaking of batteries . So there’s anelderly couple in Church and the wife turns to her husband and says I just letout a silent fart what should I do, thehusband replied you should change the battery in your hearing aid
Thank you all for the help Bryan

[blw2]

to the original question....
I disconnect my chassis and house batteries all the time.
the only noticeable "issue" in mine is that killing the power to the dash radio resets it..so i have to go in a reset the camera polarity setting so that it automatically switches on the rear view camera when i shift into reverse.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by SANDDOG

Guys – Speaking of batteries . So there’s anelderly couple in Church and the wife turns to her husband and says I just letout a silent fart what should I do, thehusband replied you should change the battery in your hearing aid
Thank you all for the help Bryan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSJkMBMEwPk