Reasons Why Everybody Should Use a Battery Cutoff Switch.

Battery Cutoff SwitchMany 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.

 

Bestseller No. 1
Top Post Knife Blade Master Switch, 12V 24V Battery Disconnect Switch for Auto Car RV-Marine Boat Truck Vehicle, Battery Cut Off Shut Off Switch (Negative,Vertical)
  • 【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
  • 【TOP LEVEL & 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
  • BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: We are so confident you'll think we have the satisfied battery disconnect switch on the market. If you have any problem about our product, please feel free to give us a message and we will do anything for you to make the thing right. We go out of our way to make sure every customer is happy and satisfied with our product and service.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Ampper Battery Switch, 12-48 V Battery Power Cut Master Switch Disconnect Isolator for Car, Vehicle, RV and Boat (On/Off)
  • 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.
SaleBestseller No. 3
Spurtar Battery Disconnect Switch 12-48V Battery Shut Off Switch 200A High Current Master Battery Power Cut Isolator Kill Switch for Car, Vehicle, Truck, Winch, ATV, RV, Marine, Boat
  • High Current Battery Switch: With a rated current of 200 Amp Continuous, and 1000A Intermittent, Spurtar battery disconnect switch safely isolate and secures 12-48V DC electrical system connections
  • Safety Protection: Spurtar battery switch provides power cut-off to the electrical system, prevents your vehicle from battery drain, and reduces the risk of an electrical fire. When your car, boat, or RV is not in use, disconnect the battery for the safety of your vehicle and property
  • Easy Operation: The battery shut-off switch is toggled smoothly with a clear click sound, without jamming. Spurtar battery cut-off switch with on / off indicated face plate is easy to install, and can be for professional installation
  • Wide Application: The RV battery disconnect switch is widely used for heavy vehicles, boats, RVs, campers, trailers, off-road, ATVs, trucks, tractors, forklifts, motors, electric winches, and other electrical equipment
  • Battery Kill Switch Kit: You will get 1x 200 amp disconnect switch, 2x 3/8" Copper Lugs, 2x Heat Shrinks, 2x Rubber Terminal Insulator Sleeves to prevent incidental shorting and improve the appearance of your wiring
SaleBestseller No. 4
Top Post Battery Disconnect Switch - Quick Disconnect Battery Cut Off Switch for Car Truck Marine RV and Electrical Equipment - 12V/125A - Red
  • 【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.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Nilight - 90015A Battery Switch 12-48V Waterproof Heavy Duty Battery Power Cut Master Switch Disconnect Isolator for Car Vehicle RV and Marine Boat (On/Off),2 Years Warranty
  • 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 2023-09-21 / 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

Battery Cutoff Switch1. Ampper 12-24 V Master Battery Cutoff Switch, Battery Power Cut Isolator Killer for Car, Vehicle, RV and Boat (Aluminium Housing, On/Off)

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. 

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Disconnect Switch, 6V 12V 24V Battery Kill 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

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.

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Ampper Battery Disconnect Switch3. Ampper Battery Disconnect Switch, Isolator Cut Off Power Kill Master Battery Switch for Marine Car Boat RV ATV Vehicles (2 Keys)

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.

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Ampper Top Post Knife Blade Master Switch, 12V / 24V Battery Cutoff Switch4. Ampper Top Post Knife Blade Master Switch, 12V / 24V Battery Cutoff Switch Isolator Power Disconnect for Marine Car Boat RV ATV (Negative)

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.

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Our Top Picks

Battery Cutoff Switch, Briidea 12V-48V Battery Disconnect5. Battery Switch, Briidea 12V-48V Battery Disconnect Master Power Cut-Off Switch for RV, ATV, Car, Marine Boat, UTV, Vehicles, and Camper (ON/Off)

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.

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ORION MOTOR TECH Master Battery Disconnect Switch, Heavy Duty Knob Type 12V 300A Battery Cutoff Switch6. 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.

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.

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7. Blue Sea Systems – Battery Switch ON/Off AFD

Battery Cutoff SwitchDetails

e-Series On-Off Battery Switch

Switches a single battery to a single load group

About this item

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.

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8. Fastronix 2 Post High Current Master Battery Disconnect Switch with Face Plate

About this item

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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