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1997 Magna house battery disconnect

Yahoo Message Number: 73759
Hi All:

My 1997 Magna has a battery disconnect switch for the house batteries inside the coach in a panel above the windshield. It also has a battery disconnect for the chassis batteries outside in the battery compartment. There is no house battery disconnect outside in the battery compartment. The house battery disconnect inside the coach cuts power to the interior lights, etc. but does not completely disconnect all house functions (ie the inverter can still be turned on, etc.). With the inverter off, steps off and house battery disconnect switch on, the house batteries get low after 2 weeks or so in storage. All systems and batteries have been checked and all test okay.
I've asked a local mechanic to install a house battery disconnect outside in the battery compartment to disconnect all house functions but he is hesitant. He feels that it might damage the 2500 Freedom Inverter when reconnecting/powering the house system back-up after storage.
Has anyone added a battery disconnect in the battery compartment to completely cut all house functions? If so, has it caused any problems?

Cheers,

Todd Overton
1997 Magna #5388

Re: 1997 Magna house battery disconnect

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73761
Can you leave the coach plugged in and let the Inverter/charger keep the batteries up. It will drop to float and do a great job with the batteries.

Leonard

97 Magna 5418

I agree with the tech. complete disconnect not a good ideal. You are playing with close to $2000 for the Inverter/charger unit.

Re: 1997 Magna house battery disconnect

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73766
Thanks Leonard for the reply. I'd love to have the coach plugged in but the storage facility does not have the capability to do so and unfortunately I'm just not using the coach as much as hoped for.
The mechanic recommended a solar panel to keep the batteries charged which may be the route I take then.

Re: 1997 Magna house battery disconnect

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73767
Solar panel sounds like a very good ideal. Get the correct system is important. This company has a system that would work for your needs very well. Have a control that will maintain or more if one is dry camped.

http://amsolar.com/
Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: 1997 Magna house battery disconnect

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73783
Todd, your question/solution opens up the possibility for me of being able to open the entrance door and have the steps come out when in extended storage without shore power. (I cannot leave the steps out during extended storage.)
It would seem that when you remove the house batteries from the coach, they are disconnected from the inverter. Then when you install batteries, the inverter is reconnected even though turned off.
No damage occurs during that battery disconnect (battery replacement) process.
So I think one could be comfortable that a disconnect in the battery compartment would not harm the inverter as long as the inverter is turned off before reconnecting the batteries.
I think a visit to Napa for a negative terminal disconnect switch is in order.

Dean

95 Magna 5280
 

Re: 1997 Magna house battery disconnect

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73787
Thanks Dean. The logic makes sense (I had mentioned to the mechanic that the inverter would be kept turned off during the process) but for some reason, he was still concerned. I will be talking with him again this morning and will discuss further. Am happy though that he is being cautious. Just didn't know what others with like coaches did.
- Todd