Power jack disconnect

[edlynnrich]

For those of you who have installed a disconnect switch for the power jack, what switch did you install and where/how did you mount it? Pictures would be great. Thanks

Ed

[Eggscape]

From one Ed to another...

Everything you need is in this link:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post271270



Just checked the link to the switch is dead but you can at least see the style I used.

[edlynnrich]

Perfect! Thanks Ed

[RangerMan]

Originally Posted by edlynnrich

For those of you who have installed a disconnect switch for the power jack, what switch did you install and where/how did you mount it? Pictures would be great. Thanks

Ed

I wouldn't do it a daily basis as when traveling but for an extended period of time I just remove the inline fuse in front of the junction box.

[edlynnrich]

Good idea. And now I know where the fuse is 😎

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by edlynnrich

For those of you who have installed a disconnect switch for the power jack, what switch did you install and where/how did you mount it? Pictures would be great. Thanks

Ed

I don't have a power jack on my Casita, but don't they have a handle so you can use them manually if your battery's dead? So how would a switch stop a thief?

[Centex]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

I don't have a power jack on my Casita, but don't they have a handle so you can use them manually if your battery's dead? So how would a switch stop a thief?

As with all such measures, I think the notion is 'deterrence' (make this target less-easy; make another target easier / more attractive). I think most folks agree one can't assuredly "stop" nefarious activity by a truly determined bad actor.

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by Centex

As with all such measures, I think the notion is 'deterrence' (make this target less-easy; make another target easier / more attractive). I think most folks agree one can't assuredly "stop" nefarious activity by a truly determined bad actor.

Exactly…and the emergency handle is not attached to the jack but stored elsewhere.

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Exactly…and the emergency handle is not attached to the jack but stored elsewhere.

I suppose smart thieves would carry handles that fit standard brands.

Though, come to think of it, really smart thieves would just back up a flatbed tow truck to your trailer, and drag it up with the winch. They're not going to spend half an hour hitching up, as I do.

And the smart ones would go after the Airstreams and other big-money RVs, too.

[dfandrews]

Thieves: smart? Not within 3 sigmas!

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

From one Ed to another...

Everything you need is in this link:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post271270



Just checked the link to the switch is dead but you can at least see the style I used.

Beyond the junction box underneath the foward frame, where physically does the 8 gauge tongue jack power wire direct connect to battery power? (2020 21C)? I want to install a switch inside the trailer, not outside and I don't want to be pulling the fuse long term. I've looked under the rear seats, and short of ringing all the red colored 8 gauge wires, some whose terminals I can't find, I can't tell which is the tongue jack power wire. I'm wondering it if takes a dive inside the converter somewhere.

John

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Exactly…and the emergency handle is not attached to the jack but stored elsewhere.

Forgot about this thread. But now that I have an Escape, with a power jack, where is the emergency handle? What does it look like?

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by MrLynn

Forgot about this thread. But now that I have an Escape, with a power jack, where is the emergency handle? What does it look like?

I'll trade you an answer for your question hopefully for an answer to my question which I asked just prior to yours.

The typical jack installed by Escape has a rubber plug on top of the housing beneath which is a 3/4 bolt head. The prior owner would likely have left the one piece stainless steel speed handle and socket with your trailer.

John

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by JohnK

I'll trade you an answer for your question hopefully for an answer to my question which I asked just prior to yours.

The typical jack installed by Escape has a rubber plug on top of the housing beneath which is a 3/4 bolt head. The prior owner would likely have left the one piece stainless steel speed handle and socket with your trailer.

John

Well, if it's just a ¾" bolt, I've got a toobox full of wrenches and sockets that I always carry on trips, so no worries. Hey, maybe the reversible ¾" ratchet for the X-chocks will work.

No idea about which wire powers the tongue jack. Haven't looked yet. My kingdom for a wiring diagram!

[JohnK]

Wiring diagrams are a sticky at the to of problem solving. I know where it connects schematically. I’m interested in knowing where the physical connection is.

John

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Beyond the junction box underneath the foward frame, where physically does the 8 gauge tongue jack power wire direct connect to battery power? (2020 21C)? I want to install a switch inside the trailer, not outside and I don't want to be pulling the fuse long term. I've looked under the rear seats, and short of ringing all the red colored 8 gauge wires, some whose terminals I can't find, I can't tell which is the tongue jack power wire. I'm wondering it if takes a dive inside the converter somewhere.

John

Sorry I don’t know…I installed an after market jack that I purchased from Princess Auto. Thus I had to come up with power on my own.

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Wiring diagrams are a sticky at the to of problem solving. I know where it connects schematically. I’m interested in knowing where the physical connection is.

John

A good diagram shows where in the structure the wires go. And having more than two wire colors would make a diagram helpful. . .

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Sorry I don’t know…I installed an after market jack that I purchased from Princess Auto. Thus I had to come up with power on my own.

Thank you Eggscape for answering my question.

John

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Beyond the junction box underneath the foward frame, where physically does the 8 gauge tongue jack power wire direct connect to battery power? (2020 21C)? I want to install a switch inside the trailer, not outside and I don't want to be pulling the fuse long term. I've looked under the rear seats, and short of ringing all the red colored 8 gauge wires, some whose terminals I can't find, I can't tell which is the tongue jack power wire. I'm wondering it if takes a dive inside the converter somewhere.

John

In my 2017 21C the power tongue jack is tied to the +12V charge line in the 7 pin whip junction box under the frame. If you add a switch further towards the back of the trailer, it will also shut off the power to the break away switch (same junction in the 7 pin junction box). Probably not a problem since you probably wouldn't shut it off when driving, but something to consider.

Another consideration - If the thief plugged the trailer 7 pin connector into his truck's receptacle, the jack would work unless you put the switch between the junction box & the jack...

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

In my 2017 21C the power tongue jack is tied to the +12V charge line in the 7 pin whip junction box under the frame. If you add a switch further towards the back of the trailer, it will also shut off the power to the break away switch (same junction in the 7 pin junction box). Probably not a problem since you probably wouldn't shut it off when driving, but something to consider.

Another consideration - If the thief plugged the trailer 7 pin connector into his truck's receptacle, the jack would work unless you put the switch between the junction box & the jack...

Thank Jon you for setting me straight. Opening that junction box I had visualized the wire going aft to the trailer as an extension of the tongue jack wire instead of realizing it is the power wire coming from the battery to the junction box which it definitely is. And what you say about the jack still able to be powered from the 7 pin if the switch is installed on the trailer side of the junction box should have been obvious to me. Instead I overlooked that fact. Thank you for your complete answer.

John