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Old 06-02-2012, 03:28 PM   #1
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Battery bypass switch

Hi, I have a 19' escape with a group 27 12v battery with a bypass switch. I broke the toggle off and was looking to replace it. Looking on the web I saw that switches come with ratings from 20 amps on up to 1000. Do I need anything move than a 20 amp switch?

Thanks
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Old 06-02-2012, 04:29 PM   #2
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Re: Battery bypass switch

I'd go to the source and ask Reace what they install at the factory.

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Old 06-02-2012, 05:07 PM   #3
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Re: Battery bypass switch

this one is 100 amps
http://www.batterymart.com/p-battery...ff-switch.html
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Old 06-02-2012, 06:10 PM   #4
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Re: Battery bypass switch

I broke mine off as well, I just removed it and took it to the local hardware store. They had a replacement in stock. Slightly different throw arm but completely interchangeable.
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Old 06-02-2012, 07:42 PM   #5
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Re: Battery bypass switch

I hope you found yourself a good switch.
Speaking of the switch, do we only turn it off for storage? Or just keep it off all of the time if we do not boondock? The car is still charging the trailer batteries when the switch is off? We do not know if the switch ever needs to be on if we plug into shore power almost all of the time. Is there any reason that it needs to be on if never in use? Thanks.
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Old 06-02-2012, 09:17 PM   #6
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Re: Battery bypass switch

It depends on how it is wired. The intent of the switch is to isolate the battery from any parasitic draws inside the trailer while off. While off you will not be charging the battery nor is it discharging.
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Old 06-02-2012, 09:45 PM   #7
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Re: Battery bypass switch

Actually on further thought, Jim, from what you say, I guess we would want to have it charging while towing and while plugged into shore power. After just having it out lately for short trips, we now have the switch off while in storage for weeks. So I guess we would want to turn it back on the next time out. Thank you.
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Old 12-01-2013, 04:57 AM   #8
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Is the battery switch standard on the 19'. I ordered the 2 6 volt
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Old 12-01-2013, 06:54 AM   #9
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It has been standard in the past. If you are going to have the front dinette in the bed position with much frequency you may wish to ask the switch be relocated. On our 19 it is located at the very front on the trailer and very difficult to access with the table in the bed position.

If you relocate the switch you may need to install a different style as our original switch had a long throw arm that was broken off quickly. An easy replacement.
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Old 12-01-2013, 09:45 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fudge_brownie View Post
It has been standard in the past. If you are going to have the front dinette in the bed position with much frequency you may wish to ask the switch be relocated. On our 19 it is located at the very front on the trailer and very difficult to access with the table in the bed position.

If you relocate the switch you may need to install a different style as our original switch had a long throw arm that was broken off quickly. An easy replacement.
This is a bit confusing to me. I use my battery cutoff switch to shut off power to all devices when I put my trailer away in storage for the winter. The switch does not have to be readily accessible as it is used so infrequently. It seems to me that this is the intended use for the switch. Are others using the switch for some other purpose while camping that would require an easily accessible location for the switch?
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Old 12-01-2013, 10:08 AM   #11
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Dave,
I agree, it's use is infrequent and I may replace it with a smaller, less obtrusive switch or remove and reinstall underneath the dinette. Just need to find one of those round hole covers someone found at Amazon. I installed a small red LED on my 19' switch to tell me when it was "ON" and the only time I turned it off was when I was not plugged in and letting the solar panel to charge the battery.
Solar is a little gentler on the batteries than the converter.
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Old 12-01-2013, 11:21 AM   #12
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I agree that checking with Escape for the current rating of the switch used in your 19 makes sense. In my 17B, it is a 30 amp switch wired with #10 wire through a 30 amp circuit breaker. If your wiring and circuit breaker are larger, a higher current rated switch would be required.

As Jim noted, the disconnect switch lets you shut off the trailer loads (including the propane detector), and, if you have the solar option, still keep the batteries charged.
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Old 12-01-2013, 11:23 AM   #13
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If you have your unit plugged into shore power when it is stored the battery cutoff switch is not needed. However, if you store without power you should always use the switch to shut off draw on the batteries. The risk is "phantom" loads or forgotten lights that will draw your battery below 50%.

Even if the trailer is going dormant for as little as a week I will cut the power from the batteries.
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Old 12-01-2013, 02:10 PM   #14
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I'm not even sure what you folks are talking about. I know battery cutoff switches are a popular mod with the Casita folks.. but still... anyone have a picture?
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Old 12-01-2013, 02:50 PM   #15
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Donna,
If you look at picture#9 posted Friday on my build you will see the toggle switch in the corner, this is the master battery switch, standard on Escapes. It disconnects your battery from all electrical connections in the unit, except for solar. Turning it off will prevent any parasitic drains from detectors.
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Old 12-01-2013, 02:52 PM   #16
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Here is the location and an image of what the switch looks like.
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File Type: pdf Battery Switch.pdf (168.4 KB, 35 views)
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Old 12-01-2013, 03:07 PM   #17
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I see guys, thanks it appears to be on the opposite side on the 21' vs 19'.. Doesn't matter, I just wanted to know where to find it and what it looked like. Thanks again!!
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Old 12-01-2013, 04:52 PM   #18
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Jim,I see you mention that the master battery switch is standard on all Escapes. Ours is a 2012 - without solar, and we do not have the switch, wish I did though.


Do others with a 17b and no solar have the switch?
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Old 12-01-2013, 05:52 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chapitre View Post
Jim,I see you mention that the master battery switch is standard on all Escapes. Ours is a 2012 - without solar, and we do not have the switch, wish I did though.


Do others with a 17b and no solar have the switch?
Hi: Chapitre... Only those Escape trailers with the battery stored inside a battery box under the dinette have the battery kill switch. Reace installs them as it's very hard to disconnect the battery for winter storage. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 12-01-2013, 06:09 PM   #20
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It also come when you have the solar option I believe. We do not have solar but had Reace add the disconnect switch for $25
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