Chassis switch versus Perko switch

[Elkman]

I cannot find information as to what is shut off by the Perko as compared to the Chassis switch by the entry stairs. A fellow at Lichtsinn mentioned that with the "switch" off there is still a hard wired connection from the Zamp charge controller that will continue to charge the house batteries.

Does anyone know exactly what connections are controlled by these two battery switches and which connections are still maintained when one or both are switched to Off?

[creativepart]

Looking at your manual - there is a Coach battery switch in the footwell by the stairs. Not a Chassis battery switch. This disconnects the house (or Coach) batteries. You turn this Coach battery switch off to disconnect all 12v loads when you are storing the RV. Anytime you are using the RV it should be on. Anytime you are storing the RV, even for a day or so you should turn it off. The key word is STORAGE not when you are on a camping trip and away from the RV.

There is a rotary cutoff or "salesman's switch" (you are calling it a Perko switch) in the foot well as well that disconnects the inverter. It's really only used to protect the inverter when you plan to disconnect your house batteries. You turn the inverter off at it's control panel in normal circumstances. Though it doesn't hurt anything to turn it off at both the control panel and the rotary cutoff.

On other models such as larger Class C and Class A motorhomes WBGO places the rotary cutoff switch deep inside a basement compartment where it is out of sight for the most part. It serves the same purpose but with it out of sight it's function is less confusing.

The chassis battery cutoff is located behind the accelerator pedal behind a door and is generally not an item that's normally utilized.

There is no cutoff for the Zamp solar charge controller. It is always hard wired directly to your house batteries.

[Elkman]

Thanks for the information. I am still getting a mental picture of the 110AC and the 12VDC circuits in the RV. Quite a bit more complicated than my other RVs and various boats I have operated over the years.

[misteracng]

On the view/navion, that Perko switch is right next to the coach battery disconnect, which is nice, so I use it. It was confusing in the beginning though as well, since it does basically the same thing as the remote inverter panel power switch.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by misteracng

On the view/navion, that Perko switch is right next to the coach battery disconnect, which is nice, so I use it. It was confusing in the beginning though as well, since it does basically the same thing as the remote inverter panel power switch.

Winnebago doesn’t really explain this, but if you disconnect your battery cables in the wrong order (neg first) your inverter’s control board can be damaged. So, it’s important to turn the rotary disconnect off before working on your battery bank cabling.

There may be other reasons to use the switch to disconnect the inverter from your batteries but all of them are not routinely applicable. Which is why that rotary disconnect is placed in a remote almost hidden place in a Class A. I assume it’s placed in the stairwell of a View just because the batteries are in the vicinity.

You need a disconnect but you don’t routinely need to use it. The on/off on the control monitor is all you need for all but larger electrical projects that include removing battery cables.

Obviously, it’s there and there’s no real downside to using it in storage. Unless, you forget to turn it on when using the RV for charging or inverting. And as a plus if you forget to turn off your inverter when putting your RV in storage the rotary disconnect will keep that from happening.

[misteracng]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Winnebago doesn’t really explain this, but if you disconnect your battery cables in the wrong order (neg first) your inverter’s control board can be damaged. So, it’s important to turn the rotary disconnect off before working on your battery bank cabling.

There may be other reasons to use the switch to disconnect the inverter from your batteries but all of them are not routinely applicable. Which is why that rotary disconnect is placed in a remote almost hidden place in a Class A. I assume it’s placed in the stairwell of a View just because the batteries are in the vicinity.

You need a disconnect but you don’t routinely need to use it. The on/off on the control monitor is all you need for all but larger electrical projects that include removing battery cables.

Obviously, it’s there and there’s no real downside to using it in storage. Unless, you forget to turn it on when using the RV for charging or inverting. And as a plus if you forget to turn off your inverter when putting your RV in storage the rotary disconnect will keep that from happening.

Thanks for that info. its really helpful. Winnebago kind of explained that in the manual, but not as clear as your explanation.

[creativepart]

Being more specific... here's the problem with the inverter's control board. You have large positive and negative cables between the battery bank and your inverter that can carry high amperage current loads. But your inverter also has typical small gauge 12v positive and negative cabling in the electronics that operate the charging, inverting and monitoring firmware of the unit.

If you remove the negative main cable from the battery bank but leave the positive cable attached there is a strong risk that your inverter will see the negative wiring and traces in the control board and attempt to use it as it's main negative connection to the battery bank.

Obviously, there could very easily be an overload in the circuit board if the inverter tries to force high amperage current through the board.

If you disconnect the positive battery bank cables first you eliminate the chance of any high amperage current effecting your inverter's circuits.

The Rotary Cut Off does just that. It disconnects your inverter from the Positive high current connection on the battery bank.