Battery Isolating Switch (1 Viewer)

[181 Lux]

 

[Riverbankannie]

An unusual introduction. Hopefully you will help us out by including a bit more detail?

 

[MC 55 FUN]

The cable / terminal on the right in the top picture is dangerously close to what looks like an earthed bolt - if so, I do hope that cable isn't live.

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[181 Lux]

Hi I don't know what I did, but I was trying to post a new thread about the battery Isolating Switch but didn't get chance to ask the question, it just posted automatically. Anyway the question is what is the purpose of the switch surly by simply turning off the power at the control panel will isolate the vans electrics anyway.
And if I turned the switch off will it prevent the batterys being charged via the solar panel or the engine alternator.

 

[CWH]

Hello @181 Lux and welcome to the Fun

As to your question I'm sorry but I don't have a clue, BUT would suggest that you to re-post in the Tech/Mech section (which is probably what you were trying to do).

However: then you'll have used up 3 of your 5 'free' posts as a guest so I'd also suggest you may want to subscribe to the forum, it's only £15 a year and gives you unlimited access to all areas of the forum including all the help and advice you'd ever need, and plenty that you wouldn't, as well as all the social aspects of chat, jokes, rallies etc.

No doubt someone will be able to answer your question easily once it's in Tech/Mech - lots of people don't visit the Introduce section - so good luck with that

 

[MC 55 FUN]

Hi I don't know what I did, but I was trying to post a new thread about the battery Isolating Switch but didn't get chance to ask the question, it just posted automatically. Anyway the question is what is the purpose of the switch surly by simply turning off the power at the control panel will isolate the vans electrics anyway.
And if I turned the switch off will it prevent the batterys being charged via the solar panel or the engine alternator.

Is this the starter or hab' battery ?

In the OFF position the switch will isolate the starter ( assuming it's the starter battery ) battery from the rest of the vehicle circuitry, will / should prevent charging from the alternator / solar, depending on how the solar is connected & could be used as an anti theft device, as even with the ignition key the vehicle won't start, but it's a bit obvious placed where it is.

See my post #3 above re : cable / terminal proximity.

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[Wissel]

I have one installed, but mines to bypass the DC/DC chargers so the engine battery can be jumped from the leisure batteries (have 4 leisure batteries).

I know some have problems with the starter battery going flat if left for a period without use, so guess the isolator could be an easy way to disconnect the battery and prevent this?

EDIT - just noticed this is the leisure battery. Maybe someone had problems with it draining when not in use so fitted the switch? Solar panel would be an alternative.

 

[181 Lux]

Hi there, I don't know what I did, but how do I find the Tech/Mech section?

 

[pappajohn]

The cable / terminal on the right in the top picture is dangerously close to what looks like an earthed bolt - if so, I do hope that cable isn't live.

I think if it was a 'face on' shot the terminal and bolt are some distance apart.
Optical illusion.

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[Riverbankannie]

Click on Forums in the bar just above the title of this thread. You should then have a list of all the forums. Click on Tech/Mech and then click on Start new Thread.
Good luck

 

[pappajohn]

Hi there, I don't know what I did, but how do I find the Tech/Mech section?

Being a non subscribed member it may be hidden from you.
Only 2 more free posts then you become 'read only' with no permissions to post anywhere.

 

[MC 55 FUN]

I think if it was a 'face on' shot the terminal and bolt are some distance apart.
Optical illusion.

The bolt looks suspiciously like the mounting bolt in the third picture.

Hope it is an optical illusion.

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[181 Lux]

That's right it is a mounting bolt. It has been professional fitted though (I think )

 

[181 Lux]

Thanks for that Papua John didn't know that.

 

[pappajohn]

The bolt looks suspiciously like the mounting bolt in the third picture.

Hope it is an optical illusion.

Yes it is the mounting bolt, which places it equidistant from both terminals.
Well out the way but why such a long bolt beats me.
Maybe the last one in the workshop.

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[181 Lux]

I'm still not getting why the switch has been fitted what is the purpose of it

 

[CWH]

Thanks for that Papua John didn't know that.

No I didn't either, sorry...
... but I see you've now subscribed, so Welcome again

​

PS love the avatar!

 

[pappajohn]

I'm still not getting why the switch has been fitted what is the purpose of it

Obviously total isolation.
Perhaps the control panel or some other electronic kit has a parasitic drain even when turned off in storage.
Even a 50milliamp drain will flatten a 110ah battery to 50% discharged in around 45 days.

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[181 Lux]

Thanks CWH

 

[MC 55 FUN]

I'm still not getting why the switch has been fitted what is the purpose of it

In the OFF position the switch will isolate the starter ( assuming it's the starter battery ) or the hab' battery from the rest of the hab' / vehicle circuitry & will / should prevent discharging from a parasitic drain & charging from the alternator / solar, depending on how the solar is connected & could be used as an anti theft device, as even with the ignition key the vehicle won't start, but it's a bit obvious placed where it is.

 

[autorouter]

There are a number of things that stay on when the control panel switch is off. There's an automatic frost protection valve, the fridge control board, the alarm, maybe the supply to the electric step, and other things like that. They will flatten a battery in a few weeks if the motorhome is not in use or in storage.

The isolator switch totally isolates the battery from absolutely everything. It's not used very often, but is handy when you need it.

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[autorouter]

The cable / terminal on the right in the top picture is dangerously close to what looks like an earthed bolt - if so, I do hope that cable isn't live.

That bolt clamps to the metal seat support, which will be earthed. I think we're worried that it's very very easy to catch it with a spanner if you were undoing the bolt to maybe add another circuit.

If you did, you'd get an unpleasant surprise, perhaps a burn, and with it being near a flammable foam seat, might even start a fire. It'd be a good idea to take them out one by one and cut off the excess thread.

 

[buttons]

Hi and Welcome.....

 

[181 Lux]

Somebody out there will know! !!!!

The answer is out there.

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[181 Lux]

Is there anyone with different suggestions what the isolation switch is for. The switch handle can be removed when in the off position.
When the switch is turned off it does isolate the whole van but not the motor battery but when I hook up the electrics (mains )the power is restored to the van without turning on the switch. So it seems to me that it there only to isolate the van .
I ask the question again for what purpose?

 

[181 Lux]

I see what you say autorouter but when the switch is turned off in that case the solar panel won't be able to change the leasure batterys ,is that right?

 

[SuperMike]

That's right it is a mounting bolt. It has been professional fitted though (I think )

Professionally fitted, long bolt, cables wrapped with sticky tape.

Very sloppy. i would have asked for a refund.

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[181 Lux]

See what you mean Super Mike but it was fitted when I bought the van so no refund possible! !

 

[SuperMike]

See what you mean Super Mike but it was fitted when I bought the van so no refund possible! !

Should have used the installation as a means of negotiating a discount at purchase.

I know, I'm sorry, off for my breakfast now.

 

[autorouter]

It's like the main switch of a house. It's very rarely used, but you wouldn't want to have no main switch at all.

You use it if you're doing work on the electrics, or if there's a funny burning smell and you don't know where it's coming from.

This type of switch is used in competition cars and on boats, where you sometimes want to turn off the power and be sure no-one is going to turn it back on. It's a high-current switch that's cheap and easily available. The removable handle is a bit unnecessary in a motorhome.

When there's many sources of power for a circuit, (battery, charger, solar, generator) you have to take care to isolate all power sources before working on the circuit. This switch just isolates the battery.

When it's off, no charge at all goes to the battery, from the solar panels, battery charger or engine alternator.

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