Battery disconnection

Jul 20, 2016
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Hi all, me again!

Just a quick question, so my motor mover doesn't have a isolation switch but supposedly shuts off automatically when not in use.

As a fail safe to stop my battery being drained when not in use, can i disconnect the negative terminal only from my battery when not in use?
 
Oct 8, 2006
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jamestaylor18 said:
Hi all, me again!

Just a quick question, so my motor mover doesn't have a isolation switch but supposedly shuts off automatically when not in use.

As a fail safe to stop my battery being drained when not in use, can i disconnect the negative terminal only from my battery when not in use?

If it is a Powrtouch the only current it draws when quiescent is the LED.

Whatever make it should have an isolation switch - usually fitted under the mains inlet in the battery box - so that it can be cut off under fault conditions. It draws so much current you could not fit a fuse!
 
Mar 14, 2005
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I was going to give you a simple yes, because it doesn't matter where you break a circuit it will stop current flow. BUT, Having read your question again, I'm not certain of what you are disconnecting. If you are taking every wire of the batteries negative terminal no problems, but if you were only referring to the movers negative wire, then that is not so good, because the other negative wires left attached to the battery will almost certainly include some negative connection to the caravan's chassis, and the danger is if the movers negative wire touched any metal work it may still be electrically connected to the battery negative, by thinner wiring. This could cause a fire if the movers negative touche exposed metal and the mover is turned on

It is more conventional to arrange for disconnection of the positive or both poles simultaneously.

This is particularly important when dealing with mains appliances where there is a real danger of electric shock. If you disconnect the neutral but leave the live connected, then although there is no current flowing, the appliance will still be connected to the 230V mains and if you touched almost any exposed metal on the the potential could find a route to earth through you.

I suggest you follow convention and arrange to disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. This would make more sence to any subsequent owner who may need to work out the wiring.
 
Jul 20, 2016
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Thanks for all your replies.

In the winter i plan to take the battery home, as i wont be using the van. But during the summer, i will be out most weekends, and don't want to be lugging a battery back and forward as its heavy. So i just wondered could i disconnect the negative terminal instead and this would be sufficient. This would include the movers terminal too.

My other thought was a solar panel. I would ideally use the cigarette socket in the van, but i understand that this isn't recommended. I also have concerns about over charging my battery and damaging it.
 
Jul 20, 2016
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I think I will get one fitted when I have the van serviced in the spring, in the mean time I will just take the live feed off the battery when I get back from trips, or maybe even both leads.

Thanks for all your help everyone
 

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