Reasons Why Everybody Should Use a Battery Cutoff Switch.
Many adventurous campers hoping to avoid the charges of public campgrounds head out for dry camping treks into areas where they can get away, get in touch with nature, and spend some peaceful days away from the hustles of their busy lives. A lot of such campers prefer the convenience of traveling in their RVs.
The convenience of a Battery Cutoff Switch
The RV makes this trek much more convenient than a regular vehicle. The presence of an “indoor” bathroom, sleeping arrangements, storage for spare food and water, and the ability to shelter comfortably from inclement weather all score advantage points for an RV on a boondocking adventure. Where the RVs become concerning, however, is the longevity and reliability of batteries.
For this reason, many use a battery cutoff switch for RVs. When camping in an RV, you do not typically have a power source to keep your battery’s charging when you need them to be. Your RV will not be running the whole time you are using it, of course, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be a drain on the battery.
Unless you plan on stumbling around in the dark when night falls, not using your RV radio at all, or plan on using any appliances, chances are your RV will still slowly drain your battery as you make use of things that require power.
The battery cutoff switch allows you to power down the battery use, helping to preserve it for as long as possible, and keep yourself from being stranded in the middle of a beautiful but contactless location.
- Heavy Duty: ABS plastic housing, durable made for safety use, rear cover insulates terminals against any short of circuits, equiped with 4 sets of bolts.
- Operation: On/Off 2 positions, 275 A continuous at DC 12V, 455 A intermittent at DC 12V, 1250 A momentary at DC 12V.
- Compatible: used for DC 12 - 48 V systems to isolate and secure the electrical system, can stand alone or be locked together with other switch.
- Purpose: eliminate any power draw from the battery when vehicle or boat is not in use, disconnects the battery safely.
- Copper terminal stud size: 3/8" (10 mm) x 2, very easy to install, universal used for car, vehicle, Rv and boat, also electrical equipment's switch.
- !!!!!Note: For facilitate installation, the black negative wire has been installed at the bottom of the battery switch. Please pay attention to the installation instructions; If your car stereo can not be completely power off, then once you use our product to completely disconnect the battery, the stereo needs to be re-matched when you start the vehicle again!!!
- REPLACEMENT REMOTE BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH - Wireless kill switch enables you to kill your car battery power with remote control, which can help to prevent battery drain and protect the circuit. Besides, car battery disconnect switch can disconnect the power of your car, the theif cannot start and stole your car. Just press the remote control button to disconnect your car power system, easy to use and improve security!
- WIDE APPLICATIONS - Remote battery disconnect switch works well for Car, Truck, RV, Travel Trailer, Camper, SUV, ATV, UTV, Marine, Van, Boat, Agricultural Vehicle Trike Auto Off Road Jeep and other engine applications with a 12 volt battery.
- PREMIUM QUALITY - Kill Switch for Car is made of silver contact and pure copper wires. Durable and Reliable. Rated current 200A DC12V, this Battery Disconnect Isolator is upgraded from the old model as the improved fittings make mounting contacts stronger. All required wiring harnesses included, no need to buy additional accessories.
- EASY INSTALLATION - No modifications needed! Step 1: Connect the red wire to the positive pole of the battery. Step 2: Fix the battery clip to the negative pole of the battery. 12V battery disconnect switch allows you not to open the hood every time for turn on the power, just press the remote control key button to disconnect your car power system, saving you plenty of time.
- 【Compatible】- The battery disconnect switch is used for top post terminal(0.59''- 0.67'' cone battery negative post only). Compatible the condition of 12V voltage, 125A rated current, heavy duty.
- 【High Quality】- Our solid brass 12v battery disconnect switch with stainless steel fasteners provide excellent oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance, no need to worry about its service life.
- 【Easy to Use】Knob type design to disconnect or connect battery, just follow the direction instructions on the switch, unscrewing or tightening the battery switch into an “on” or “off” position to control current.
- 【Protect Battery】This battery shut off switch is designed to cut-off power flowing to the battery, avoid unwanted battery consumption when not used for long periods of time, extend the life of battery.
- 【Widely Applications】- Suitable for Car, Marine,tractor, camper, boat, RV, truck batteries which have a standard 0.59''-0.67''(15-17 mm) cone top post terminal, also used for electrical equipment.
- 【COMPATIABLE】This knife-blade battery disconnect switch is suitable for TOP POST TERMINAL, battery NEGATIVE post only. Maximum Current: 750A, Rated Current: 250A. 6v 12v 24v car truck, bus, RV, Boat, trailer battery
- 【HIGH QUALITY & HEAVY DUTY 】This top post battery disconnect switch is made of brass material, corrosion resistance, conductive performance is good, durably made for safety use
- 【EASY TO INSTALL】This battery doctor knife switch for top post batteries can be adjusted into a vertical knife switch through the bottom of the screw, easy to install & simple to use. Switch the knife, then power will cut
- 【SAVE ELECTRYCITY】This knife blade master switch is used for the battery to isolate and secure the electrical system, eliminate any power draw from the battery when vehicle or boat is not in use, stop unwanted battery drain and prevent theft or unauthorized use. Widely used for car, truck, boat or RV battery, also other electrical equipment's battery
- 100% Customer satisfaction is our constant pursuit, we only provide good quality products for every buyer friend.If you have any problem during the use, we will try our best to offer you with satisfactory and friendly service.
- Heavy Duty: ABS plastic housing, durable made for safety use, rear cover insulates terminals against any short of circuits, equipped with 4 sets of bolts.
- Operation: On/Off 2 positions, 275 A continuous at DC 12V, 455 A intermittent at DC 12V, 1250 A momentary at DC 12V.
- Compatible: used for DC 12 - 48V systems to isolate and secure the electrical system, can stand alone or be locked together with other switch.Its purpose is to eliminate any power draw from the battery when vehicle or boat is not in use, disconnects the battery safely.
- Widely used for car, marine boat, RV, camper, travel trailer, truck, ATV, UTV, battery banks and other devices.
- Package include:1x On/Off battery switch,4 bolts incuded.
Last update on 2023-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How a Battery Cutoff Switch Works
When you engage the power switch, any appliances (including lights) that rely on 12 volts will only work if your RV is plugged into a shoreline power source. External power will not stop the RV from operating with the necessary power, even with the switch. Still, if the shore power is no longer inbound, your appliances will not switch to be powered by your battery.
Why You Should Use a Battery Cutoff Switch
If you had the misfortune of leaving your overhead light or headlights on in your car overnight, you have likely arrived at the frustrating surprise of your car not starting the next day. These things need power to operate, and with the vehicle being off, that power comes from and systematically drains your car battery.
At this point, you likely had to have assistance jump-starting your vehicle. But when you are residing in self-imposed nature isolation, no aid will be reached, nor is any help on the way.
Your battery stays alive when you run your car because the alternator is operating, which perpetually charges your battery. Without the alternator working, any power source relies solely on your RV battery, which has a finite lifespan.
More Practical Reasons
You should always shut off the power to your RV via the battery cutoff switch if you are doing work on your vehicle. The power should be off for a minimum of 24 hours before you attempt to begin.
As an RV is a once-in-a-while used vehicle, you will likely be storing it more often than using it. To prevent the battery from slowly draining as appliances inside, being unused, continue to draw power slowly. Left powered on; some equipment may end up overheating, causing an electrical fire.
All this can be prevented by simply cutting the power off unused devices. For a vehicle the size of an RV, this drain, even when slow, will not take long to drain the battery rendering it useless.
Reducing power with a battery cutoff switch can also help prevent vehicle theft. As the RV can’t run being fed power, any aspiring thief looking to borrow your RV permanently will run into a problem with trying to start it.
Maintaining your RV batteries will save money by preventing the need to be jumped and extending the longevity of your battery’s life for as long as or over a decade.
Our Top Picks
1. Ampper 12-24 V Master Battery Cutoff Switch, Battery Power Cut Isolator Killer for Car, Vehicle, RV and Boat (Aluminium Housing, On/Off)
- Heavy Duty: all-aluminum housing, durably made for safety use. Mounts in 3/4″ hole, equipped with a faceplate.
- Operation: On/Off two positions, 200 A continuous at DC 12V, 400 A momentary at DC 12V.
- Compatible: used for DC 12 – 24 V systems to isolate and secure the electrical system, can stand alone or be locked together with another switch.
- Purpose: eliminate any power draw from the battery when the vehicle or boat is not in use, and disconnect the battery safely.
- Copper terminal stud size: 3/8″ (10 mm) x 2, effortless to install, universally used for cars, vehicles, Rv, boats, and electrical equipment switches.
Product Review:
I needed a house cut-off switch for my RV batteries.
Most of my RV plugs work on the engine battery. After a few camping trips, my engine battery died, so this was the solution. I wired my house batteries to extra USB and 12-volt plugs with a fused harness. Now I can run my outlets without turning on the engine or the house switch.
2. PCS Battery Disconnect Switch, 6V 12V 24V Battery Kill Switch Isolator Cut OFF Power for Marine Car Boat RV ATV Auto Truck Vehicles, On-Off Battery Master Switch with Waterproof Key and Cover
- High Quality — The shell is made of strong flame-retardant nylon, Copper terminals with stainless steel hex nuts for improved continuity, which is resistant to high temperature, not afraid of falling, durable, and protects the power supply from leakage, water, corrosion
- Heavy-duty Switching –The battery kill switch is used for DC 12V 24 V systems, On/Off two positions, max withstanding current: 12V 200A. Recommended to mount on the NEGATIVE battery post
- Waterproof Cover — The main battery isolation switch has a waterproof protective, which can better keep the dust and water away from the keyhole.
- Wide Range of Applications — It can be used as the opening key of various electrical appliances such as stroboscopic, undercarriage, and fog lamps, which can be used indoors and outdoors.
- Package Item — 2 x battery switch + 6 x cut off kill switch removable key + 2 x waterproof cover
Product Review:
After multiple hours of research and trying many other items of this type, this was the keeper due to its price, easy installation, and solid working product. I Highly recommend to all this won hands down over the fancy named products of this type for price simplicity and functional needs.
It works great, easy to mount and operate.
3. Ampper Battery Disconnect Switch, Isolator Cut Off Power Kill Master Battery Switch for Marine Car Boat RV ATV Vehicles (2 Keys)
- Operation: used for DC 12-24 V systems, On/Off 2 position, rated current: 100A (12V ), Max. withstanding current: 150A (12V ).
- Heavy Duty: ABS plastic and solid brass nuts/washers, rust and corrosion-resistant, durably made for safety use.
- The switch is easy to install & simple to use, with two removable keys and a waterproof cover for the keyhole.
- Purpose: used for a battery to isolate and secure the electrical system, eliminate any power draw from the battery when the vehicle or boat is not in use, and disconnect the battery safely.
- Size: 2 brass terminals: 3/8″, 2 mounting holes: 3/16″. Used for Car, Vehicle, RV, boat, and electrical equipment switch.
Product Review:
I bought 3 of these switches, and all had the same boxes, pictures, and descriptions. But one of them had 5/16″ studs, and the other two came with 3/8″ studs. Not a real problem, but current (and developing heat) through these can be a problem if one gets close to the 200 amps. Also, keep that in mind when using or ordering ring terminals. Other than that, they look identical and have worked well so far.
4. Ampper Top Post Knife Blade Master Switch, 12V / 24V Battery Cutoff Switch Isolator Power Disconnect for Marine Car Boat RV ATV (Negative)
- Compatible: used for top post terminal, 15-17 mm cone/tapering battery NEGATIVE post only, DC 12V-24V system, 200A continuous and 600A momentary at DC 12V, on/off two positions.
- Convenience: vertical knife blade type, easy to install & simple to use. Lift the knife, and then power will cut.
- Heavy Duty: solid brass coating, rust, and corrosion-resistant, durably made for safety use.
- Purpose: used for a battery to isolate and secure the electrical system, eliminate any power draw from the battery when the vehicle or boat is not in use, and disconnect the battery safely.
- They are used for Car, Vehicle, RV, and Boat batteries with a standard 15-17 mm cone top post terminal and for electrical equipment.
Product Review:
A beefy copper toggle switch will carry any current load I throw at it in my RV, but the plastic base needs to be redesigned. When the switch is closed, the switch helps stiffen the plastic base. When the switch is open, though, the plastic base has to stand on its own accord. The plastic base is flimsy at best. I’ll probably glue some wood on the bottom as another person did.
Our Top Picks
5. Battery Switch, Briidea 12V-48V Battery Disconnect Master Power Cut-Off Switch for RV, ATV, Car, Marine Boat, UTV, Vehicles, and Camper (ON/Off)
- MATERIAL: Our battery switch is made of ABS plastic, housing to resist the harsh marine conditions, durably made for safe use
- EASY OPERATION: This RV battery switch is easy to install, with an ON/OFF position in green and red color labels. Switch ON means Power (green), Switch OFF means No power (red)
- COMPATIBILITY: The marine battery disconnect used for DC 12-48V system to isolate and secure the electrical system can stand alone or be locked together with other switches
- SAFE PROTECTION: Battery isolator switch comes with CE certified, rear cover insulates terminals against any short of circuits, equipped with four sets of bolts
- WIDE APPLICATION: Our Briidea battery switch is widely used for Car, Marine, Boat, RVs, Camper, Travel Trailer, Truck, ATVs, UTVs, and electrical equipment switch
Product Review:
This switch is great and easy to mount to a plate in front of the switch. A little harder to a rear mounting plate due to nut retention indentions built into the rear plate of the switch. I like the smooth operation of the switch; it has a firm feel when switched off or on. I’m reordering for other projects.
The studs for attaching the battery cables are larger than what is on a standard battery, so the cables don’t fit. I had to drill out the cable holes to make them large enough to fit on the studs.
6. ORION MOTOR TECH Master Battery Disconnect Switch, Heavy-Duty Knob Type 12V 300A Battery Cutoff Switch, Top Post Battery Power Shutoff Master Switch for Cars, Trucks, Boats, RVs, Motorcycles, and More.
- HEAVY-DUTY DISCONNECT SWITCH: This reliable battery kill switch is made of zinc alloy copper plated to provide perfect isolation and preservation for your vehicle’s battery
- HIGH VERSATILITY: Able to handle 12V of 125A continuous and 300A momentary current, our master battery cutoff switch works with top post batteries for a wide range of vehicles, including most cars, boats, trucks, RVs, and even jet skis
- USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN: This compact battery cutoff switch is installed directly onto a battery terminal and works by unscrewing or tightening the battery switch into an “on” or “off” position to control electrical flow. The knob can be removed completely to deter theft.
- HIGHLY HELPFUL: Prevent daily electrical leakage from your car or boat’s battery between uses and perform maintenance and repair faster and more safely than ever!
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: Order this master disconnect switch with your peace of mind, thanks to Orion Motor Tech’s 1-year solid warranty and standard, friendly 24/7 customer service; order at no risk and start enjoying more excellent safety and longer battery life today!
Product Review:
Taking all of 5 minutes to install, this thing is very simple in concept and a must-have for vehicles that sit for long periods, resulting in a dead battery. It eliminates the need to disconnect the negative terminal each time the vehicle is stored.
7. Blue Sea Systems – Battery Switch ON/Off AFD
Details
Details- Tin-plated copper studs for maximum conductivity and corrosion resistance
- Accepts up to 4/0 AWG battery cables
- Studs accept 3/8″ (M10) ring terminals
- 7/8″ (22mm) stud length accepts multiple cable terminals
- Blue Sea System’s one-piece terminal stud design never loosens over time
- It fits most Perko and Guest low amperage battery switch hole patterns
- Case design allows surface, rear, or front panel mounting options
- Tactile indicator conveys knob position by feel
e-Series On-Off Battery Switch
Switches a single battery to a single load group
- Ignition protected—safe for installation aboard gasoline-powered boats
- Case design allows surface or rear panel mounting
About this item
- Single Circuit ON-OFF. Switches a single battery to a single load group
- Ignition protected—safe for installation aboard gasoline-powered boats
- IP66 waterproof, ISO 8846, and meets ABYC requirements
- Terminal Stud Size: 3/8″ – 16
- Continuous rating: 350A, Maximum voltage: 48V DC
Product Review:
I use this in our off-grid solar setup, and it works great. We have a 48v system with 840 AH of battery storage. We routinely pull around 60 amps at 48v through this switch and haven’t had any issues. I do not turn it on and off frequently. I only tested the switch for its primary function (on/off) immediately after installation and not since. However, it is working quite marvelously for the purpose it is destined for at my location.
The switch was a breeze to install, feels very solid, and I expect it to last a long time. I’m sure this is a little overkill for my single marine battery, but I’m willing to pay an extra twenty bucks for peace of mind. This switch has a very high threshold for a load of amps that occur upon starting the engine, and its size and weight imply that I won’t be replacing it any time soon. The ability to flush-mount it worked great and keeps it looking professional.
8. Fastronix 2 Post High Current Master Battery Disconnect Switch with Face Plate
About this item
- Rated to 180A Continuous or 1000A Intermittent
- Mounts in 3/4″ Hole
- Provides Single Power Cut off to Entire Electrical System
- Required for NHRA Competition When Battery is Relocated
- Works Great As a Power Disconnect for RVs When Not in Use
Product Review:
This is a good switch, but make sure you drill a hole the size of flat sides, then file out ends to fit threaded size. The company should put instructions with the product saying to do this, as many will drill a hole the size of the threaded area and then have a problem with switch turning; a tag attached to a thread would do.
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