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Isolation switch install [message #366025] Mon, 09 August 2021 16:07 Go to next message
boybach is currently offline  boybach   Canada
Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island
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Senior Member
I already installed an isolation switch up front on my chassis battery system and today I started doing the same thing to the house battery.
My house battery is located in the battery compartment next to the Onan. My plan was to install the switch into the negative side.
As I was marking out the bolt positions for the shut-off isolation switch I realized there are TWO negative lines attached to the battery, guessing the one leading away must be the line that connects to the systems up forward while the other runs to a ground bolt close to the battery.

Even as an electrical ignoramus it seems to me that installing the switch into the ground connection line close to the battery is not going to shut off the battery completely as the other negative line would apparently still be able to connect to ground, right?

So do I have to run both negative cables to the switch to shut down the house system?

Larry


Larry - Victoria BC - 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
[GMCnet] Re: Isolation switch install [message #366031 is a reply to message #366025] Mon, 09 August 2021 17:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Yes. All wires off the ground side

Sully
Bellevue wa.

On Mon, Aug 9, 2021 at 2:07 PM wrote:

> I already installed an isolation switch up front on my chassis battery
> system and today I started doing the same thing to the house battery.
> My house battery is located in the battery compartment next to the Onan.
> My plan was to install the switch into the negative side.
> As I was marking out the bolt positions for the shut-off isolation switch
> I realized there are TWO negative lines attached to the battery, guessing
> the one leading away must be the line that connects to the systems up
> forward while the other runs to a ground bolt close to the battery.
>
> Even as an electrical ignoramus it seems to me that installing the switch
> into the ground connection line close to the battery is not going to shut
> off the battery completely as the other negative line would apparently
> still be able to connect to ground, right?
>
> So do I have to run both negative cables to the switch to shut down the
> house system?
>
> Larry
>
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 Palm Beach 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the
> word NOT. New Atwood fridge, water heater & furnace. New SS exhaust system,
> 6000w Onan, Iota Converter, R134A A/C, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: Isolation switch install [message #366032 is a reply to message #366025] Mon, 09 August 2021 18:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
boybach is currently offline  boybach   
Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
Senior Member
Yes. All wires off the ground side

Sully
Bellevue wa.

Thanks! Made sense but I thought I'd better check with the forum.

Job for tomorrow.

Larry


Larry - Victoria BC - 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
Re: Isolation switch install [message #366040 is a reply to message #366025] Mon, 09 August 2021 21:00 Go to previous message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
It makes no difference which side (+ or -) you put the disconnect switch and long as the battery is completely disconnected on one side in the end. My switches (engine and house) are both on the plus side.

That disconnect switch saved my coach from burning to the ground about 15 years ago. It is a long story. Place those switches where you can easily and quickly get to them in case of a fire or other emergency. Mine was a gasoline fire fed by a shorted and stuck on electric fuel pump.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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