Battery Switch?

[MechaJubei]

I just bought a 1995 Roadtrek Versatile but I can't find where the Battery Switch is for the house battery. I'm pretty sure it has one, as I found one under the rear dinette seat next to the generator. There is also a battery charging meter, but for the life of me I can't find a switch to turn the batter on/off.

The Roadtrek has normal GFI outlets that the small TV plugs into, shouldn't the house battery be able to run these outlets without the generator running? Or do I need the generator on all the time to use anything in the cabin other than the dome lights? That seems weird to me but this is my first RV ever and I didn't really get much of an explanation on it. It's been a learning experience!

Here are pics of my control panels. There is the battery status next to the tank gauges (which reads fully charged), then there is the battery status next to the generator on/off switch. When the generator is running, the needle goes into the green charging status. When I turn the generator off it drops all the way down to the bottom.

There is also a blue switch next to the auto interior switch that I have no idea what it does.

Thanks in advance!

[hbn7hj]

I don't think that year has a battery switch. The battery is always connected.

[MechaJubei]

Ah, ok, that would make sense then. Do you know if this year has an inverter at all? Should the battery be charging to be able to run the TV, or will I always have to be hooked up to shore or running the inverter to do that?

[hbn7hj]

Originally it did not have an inverter and the TV worked with 12 volts. No telling what kind of TV it has now but it certainly wouldn't be the original.

Your best bet would be to put in a 12 volt LED TV.

This is what you need and the owner will be more than happy to help you out.
Red Rover Main Page

[MechaJubei]

Originally Posted by hbn7hj

Originally it did not have an inverter and the TV worked with 12 volts. No telling what kind of TV it has now but it certainly wouldn't be the original.

Your best bet would be to put in a 12 volt LED TV.

This is what you need and the owner will be more than happy to help you out.
Red Rover Main Page

It had an old CRT, but the previous owner had a new Vizio M160MV in the box that came with my RT but they didn't install. I just looked that up and it is a 12V TV! A few days ago I took out the old CRT and installed the Vizio M160MV but plugged it into the normal outlet. Should it be plugged into a cigarette lighter port then instead? I didn't see any kind of adapter to do so though, but it does appear there is a cigarette lighter plug right above where the TV is mounted next to the coax plugs.

Sorry, total newb to this stuff and learning as I go along.

[hbn7hj]

You can do it any way you please. Plug the TV into a small inverter and plug the inverter into the 12 volt socket Or you can run the 12 volt power cord through a voltage stabilizer then into the 12 volt socket.

Spend a few days on the Red Rover website and all your questions will be answered.

The Vizio model you mention is probably not available any more so take care of it.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by MechaJubei

It had an old CRT, but the previous owner had a new Vizio M160MV in the box that came with my RT but they didn't install. I just looked that up and it is a 12V TV! A few days ago I took out the old CRT and installed the Vizio M160MV but plugged it into the normal outlet. Should it be plugged into a cigarette lighter port then instead? I didn't see any kind of adapter to do so though, but it does appear there is a cigarette lighter plug right above where the TV is mounted next to the coax plugs.

Sorry, total newb to this stuff and learning as I go along.

Welcome to the forum MechaJubei!

I use a 12v TV/DVR combo, but it came with it's own 12v patch cord. It plugs into a combo 12v outlet/signal booster. Even though our rv came with a 750watt inverter, we've never used it in 4 trips and 17,000 miles. So you can travel without an inverter.

[MechaJubei]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

Welcome to the forum MechaJubei!

I use a 12v TV/DVR combo, but it came with it's own 12v patch cord. It plugs into a combo 12v outlet/signal booster. Even though our rv came with a 750watt inverter, we've never used it in 4 trips and 17,000 miles. So you can travel without an inverter.

Gotchya, that makes sense. I'll be working from the road in the RT so I need a place to plug my laptop in, so I'll probably get a small 300w converter that plugs into the 12v and I can probably run the TV off that too. I can use it to charge and run my Nintendo Switch to the TV too!

I spend hours last night reading that Red Rover page - it has a ton of great info! I'll be stealing some of their ideas and implementing them over the next few days because we are going to take a trip down the Oregon coast into the Redwood Forest in California the day after tomorrow. These RT 190s Versatiles are just the perfect size!

[MechaJubei]

One more question - if I don't have a switch to turn off the coach battery then should I install one? IS it bad for the battery to not have a switch? Do I need one to run shore power?

[avanti]

I think it is foolish not to have a battery switch. Without one, you can never be quite sure that the van is "off". Whether it harms the battery depends entirely on what loads it sees when all the things that DO have switches are turned off. Almost always, though, there are numerous parasitic loads: smoke detectors, propane detectors, indicator lights, vampire loads in A/V devices, etc, etc. Even if you CAN turn everything off (which you probably can't), it is an error-prone process. It is really nice to be able to flip one switch and walk away.

Here's what I did:
(a) I installed a Blue-Sea ML-RBS remote-controlled bi-state battery switch:


It switches everything,except the solar controller, which I want to work while in storage. From there, all circuits are separately switched, either directly (e.g., lights) or through a marine-style switch array on my control panel:
Control Panel lights.JPG
Several of the smaller loads are aggregated into groups with a single switch (e.g. "Media" and "DataComm". This adds greatly to the usability and safety of the rig.

If you have a master switch that removes ALL loads, you can store your rig for many months without harming the battery. If there are parasitic loads, the safe storage interval is measured in weeks.

[MechaJubei]

Originally Posted by avanti

I think it is foolish not to have a battery switch. Without one, you can never be quite sure that the van is "off". Whether it harms the battery depends entirely on what loads it sees when all the things that DO have switches are turned off......

That makes sense as well. I do plan on putting the RT in inside storage over the winter months (about 4 months) so I was planning on just disconnecting the batteries or even perhaps putting it on a battery tender/trickler. I am a bit worried about the generator sitting for so long though as it will be difficult to go and start it randomly throughout the winter since where I store it isn't very close by.

Appreciate all the good info!

[avanti]

Originally Posted by MechaJubei

I am a bit worried about the generator sitting for so long though as it will be difficult to go and start it randomly throughout the winter since where I store it isn't very close by.

If the genset is propane, I wouldn't worry about it.
If it is gas, I would probably also not worry about it, but that is less clear.

[BigFatGuy]

If you decide to install your own, I really like these for high-current applications. I used one for my Solar Panel cut-off, and I plan to use another one to replace the fuse in my slideout. You can drill the installation hole with a hole saw of the right size.

(I have no link to the vendor or MFG, just a happy customer)

amazon.com/dp/B000VY8R0A/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_NFREDbXQ1FKNM

[Jill Ellis]

Does the 2004 Lexus RX330 have a battery separate switch. Car has been sitting for
several months and won't do anything.

[pine_beetle]

My 1995 Popular Chevrolet has one more switch on the status panel (first image). Don't know of Dodge & Chevrolet are wired differently or if Popular & Versatile are wired different.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by pine_beetle

My 1995 Popular Chevrolet has one more switch on the status panel (first image). Don't know of Dodge & Chevrolet are wired differently or if Popular & Versatile are wired different.

I can't see any pics. When you post a reply, go to "Additional Options", then under "Attach Files", click "Manage Attachments". A popup will let you upload pictures.

[Kevin Graves]

Seriously consider getting at least one solar panel and an inverter. You’ll soon find that running the Onan generator is not popular in campgrounds as is a very loud machine. The solar panel will charge your battery sufficient for all your work and TV needs. We have two panels and it works with A new compressor refrigerator and so the generator is only for emergency back up. Check out Salmon harbor on the Oregon coast. It is only $17 per night and it is an awesomely beautiful place. On your way down the California coast check out Trinidad. Happy travels!

[inforiculturist]

I, too, am the (relatively) new recipient of a 1995 RoadTrek, though I have the Popular instead of the Versatile. I, too, found this model didn't have a battery disconnect switch.

So, I installed one - under the dinette seat in the the battery housing cover:


You'll likely note from the picture that there are some other changes I made: most evident is that I went to 2 6V batteries, the shunt for the battery monitor, the black box for power protection (from shore and generator power) - and also upgraded the converter/charger, amongst other things.

Good luck!