Cost $24.37 with tax at a local marine supply store. Also purchased a 2ft battery cable with a soldered lug on one end and a normal post connection on the other end for about $12 at the auto parts store...
I finally decide to mount the switch on the side of the battery box. Didn't have a convenient place to mount it on the frame or TT shell itself. Used 10x32x2 1/2" machine screws with fender washers and nylock nuts to hold it to the battery box. I had also bought some aluminum spacers for under the nuts, but they were too long. the way I mounted it worked fine and it doesn't need much to hold it in place..
Here is a photo showing the wiring.
Here is one with the cover installed.
Also note I found it difficult to secure the normal cover strap a while back too. Especially because my TT does not have much room where the battery sites. I found plastice snap buckles at the local hardware store and made a new strap from a piece of nylon ratchet strap...
Note: Being a seasonal camp site, I used wook to hold the Red Key switch in place. If a towing trailer, I'd use a thick chunk of steel or aluminum. And its break away brake switch would be wired to the "hot side" (non switched side) of the switch. Thus, still have emergency break away brakes - even if its red key is off.
Thanks for the photos... I like how you cut away the corner of the battery box cover for the green knob that would help a lot with it's longevity.. have you ever had trouble with mice getting in your battery box in the winter... Season before last I found my battery box filled with mice bedding and acorn shells in the spring...
Also I like the key idea. I will not that the switch I have, the knob is removable when in the off position. Mainly for mounting reasons, but could be used for security too...
mehwwh wrote: What's the purpose of having a battery switch? Doesn't simply removing the battery accomplish the same thing?
I can't leave my TT plugged in between trips. If I did not disconnect the battery either by switch or physically undoing the battery leads, the battery would die due to loads on the TT, such as the propane detector..
Never had a problem with our battery box and mice. During the winter time, I remove our TT's battery and store it within our basement storage room - on a wood board. Thus, I don't have too worry about keeping it 100% charged. Simply remove the battery in the fall and re-install the battery in the spring. I know. I'm over spoiling my TT's battery. But in my winter region, I like sleeping in the warm house as well. Especially during the -30s / -40F temps of my winter region. LOL!!!!
For our previous 19ft TT, I moved its battery box inside its front storage compartment area. Wanted more weight off its tonque. Thus, was able to cut way the corner of its battery box lid - without allowing rain water inside the box. For more pictures, surf: - Click Here 1 - - Click Here 2 - - Click Here 3 - - Click Here 4 -
For our new 29FBS (at our seasonal site), I used a 5/4 x 5.5" wide deck board. Scape of board from my Deck Building project. For a picture of my TT's deck, surf: - Click Here -
My next minor upgrade to the battery switch system is to attach a little chain from the red key to its mounting board. Simple 10" long small chain will work great. Thus, I won't loose its key. For pictures of this red key off/on key switch (on our seasonal site TT), surf: - Click Here 1 - - Click Here 2 -
Why do I like using a manual off/on switch on our TT's battery??? For me, I don't like removing and attaching the battery's cable (postitive or negative) every time we are NOT using our trailer for more then 3 days. After 5-7 days of no usage and the TT not being connected to shore power, the onboard battery can be drained. After 9-12 days, our TT's battery is fully drained. Self drained from its many onboard detectors, circuits boards, etc. etc. Instead of removing / re-attaching a battery cable, I simply reach over and "turn a knob". Or on our newer TT, I simply turn a red key. And when we leave our TT, I simply reach over and turn the manual switch to off. For me, I don't like our TT's battery "connected" while our TT isn't being used for more then 3 days.
If you want to install a switch but are worried about its break-away emergency braking system, simply attach the brake-away switch wire to the battery post side (of the switch). Thus, the red key switch (or boat battery switch) stops all 12V on the other side of the switch. But keeps the brake-away emergency brake system active (regardless of key or switch position). Great option for trailers that are towed, and one might forget about battery swithch.
Works for my needs... Hope this helps others as well...
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