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Old 01-19-2017, 08:51 PM   #1
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Welding Connectors as Battery Disconnect?

Read online (somewhere) a "pro tip" that you could use welding wire connectors as a really nice and clean method to disconnecting/connecting RV batteries. Seemed like a VERY neat idea and I wonder if anyone has tried it?

They were talking about these things:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DCZR7...I1ZGEYOQUDIOXW


Anybody try it? Seems like a great idea!
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Old 01-19-2017, 10:03 PM   #2
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only if you use it on the ground terminal

It will work if you connect the negative battery terminal to the female and connect the ground wire to the male connector.
Don't even think about putting it on the hot side because the battery positive terminal is hot and the output of whatever you use to charge the battery also can be hot. You don't want them to short out to ground through the male plug.
Just like the rule, "always disconnect the ground side of the battery before doing any work."
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Old 01-19-2017, 11:26 PM   #3
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Airstreams come with a quick disconnect, they aren't rated for quite so many amps as welding, but aren't they good enough?
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Old 01-19-2017, 11:42 PM   #4
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I say give it a shot. Sturdy and dependable. I Don't see any downside using them. I curious how they turn out.
Keep us informed
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Old 01-20-2017, 02:38 AM   #5
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I would use only Anderson Power Products connectors. They've been used for decades on forklift batteries, everywhere.

They connect both the positive and negative sides with a single plug. They have arc absorbing, flat wiping, silver plated, spring loaded contacts.

Also, you might not need connectors rated for whatever these are rated for. It doesn't say what the rating is, or if these are approved by UL or any other agency. Unless you are running some really large loads like a big inverter you shouldn't need more than 50 or 60 amps through the connector. Depends on your individual setup, but 400(?) amp welding connectors may be larger than you need.

Finally, there are several negative reviews on the Amazon site you linked to. These don't appear to be quality merch.
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Old 01-20-2017, 05:14 AM   #6
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They will work but they are very bulky compared to the typical RV disconnect plug, as a result much more cumbersome to work with. Rated at 250 amps.
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Old 01-20-2017, 05:20 AM   #7
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I'm always amazed at some 'work arounds' when a clean, permanent solution already exists for a total battery disconnect. The simple addition of a Blue Sea Systems 'M-Series' marine disconnect switch to either the positive or negative battery cable will give you a simple, effective way to remove all loads from your batteries with an easy 1/4 turn of the switch.

Permanent, water proof and solid...... rated up to 300 amps continuous.....but I guess some MUST find their own path regardless......
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Old 01-20-2017, 05:37 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NevadaGeo View Post
Airstreams come with a quick disconnect, they aren't rated for quite so many amps as welding, but aren't they good enough?
The newer trailers don't have those.
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Old 01-20-2017, 06:07 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NevadaGeo View Post
Airstreams come with a quick disconnect, they aren't rated for quite so many amps as welding, but aren't they good enough?

I have never seen anything like that on an Airstream. Not on my 64 or 2006.
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Old 01-20-2017, 06:56 AM   #10
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We've used a simple battery disconnect for years, works fine for us.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Old 01-20-2017, 10:37 AM   #11
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The newer trailers don't have those.
Well sorry, didn't know the new fangled things let a good product go. I found that picture from a quick search for Airstream battery quick connect.. Maybe somebody knows why Airstream went away from these?
https://www.google.com/search?q=airs...Fm-cXVjn7yM%3A
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Old 01-20-2017, 01:05 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster View Post
I'm always amazed at some 'work arounds' when a clean, permanent solution already exists for a total battery disconnect. The simple addition of a Blue Sea Systems 'M-Series' marine disconnect switch to either the positive or negative battery cable will give you a simple, effective way to remove all loads from your batteries with an easy 1/4 turn of the switch.

Permanent, water proof and solid...... rated up to 300 amps continuous.....but I guess some MUST find their own path regardless......
Lew,
Do you have a picture of this type of disconnect switch installation?
Thanks
Thomas
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Old 01-20-2017, 01:20 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbeck11931 View Post
Lew,
Do you have a picture of this type of disconnect switch installation?
Thanks
Thomas
Google is your friend. Easy on a Mac - highlight the product description, right click and use 'search with google' "... Blue Sea Systems 'M-Series' marine disconnect switch"
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Old 01-20-2017, 01:23 PM   #14
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VTSmitty,
FYI, you can buy that same switch at Harbor Freight for half the price of Amazon. Only drawback is you have to install it directly onto a battery post.
Like Lewster, I use a marine switch, this one by Hella.

Buy it at Westmarine.
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Old 01-22-2017, 09:18 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by USAtraveler View Post
VTSmitty,
FYI, you can buy that same switch at Harbor Freight for half the price of Amazon. Only drawback is you have to install it directly onto a battery post.
Like Lewster, I use a marine switch, this one by Hella.

Buy it at Westmarine.
Harbor Freight is cheaper, but the shipping costs erase the benefit. The Hella switch is a good one, we use that for our Solar system disconnect and it has held up well.
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Old 01-22-2017, 10:00 AM   #16
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I would rather have a switch to disconnect the batteries versus the welding connectors (anderson connectors). I use the anderson connectors for a winch/Jumpstart port on all of my 4x4`s, they are straight forward and easy to use......
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Old 01-22-2017, 10:58 AM   #17
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I may have misunderstood the application recommended by the OP.

I recommended the Anderson connectors thinking that the OP was physically disconnecting his battery with the purpose being removal of the battery.

That's what I do every fall when I put the Airstream away for the winter.

Otherwise, if you only want to electrically disconnect the battery, a switch is obviously easier.
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Old 01-22-2017, 11:03 AM   #18
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That's what I want: complete disconnection of the battery for removal. Welding connectors seems nice and compact for doing so.
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Old 01-22-2017, 01:14 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thiel View Post
That's what I want: complete disconnection of the battery for removal. Welding connectors seems nice and compact for doing so.
Anderson connectors will do the job you are looking for. For what it's worth I soldered the wires into the connectors on all of my trucks as I didn't have a crimper stout enough to crimp them.
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Old 06-23-2017, 08:14 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster View Post
I'm always amazed at some 'work arounds' when a clean, permanent solution already exists for a total battery disconnect. The simple addition of a Blue Sea Systems 'M-Series' marine disconnect switch to either the positive or negative battery cable will give you a simple, effective way to remove all loads from your batteries with an easy 1/4 turn of the switch.

Permanent, water proof and solid...... rated up to 300 amps continuous.....but I guess some MUST find their own path regardless......
Lew,
I always zero in when you reply to questions on the forum. I enjoyed listening to your advice at the Vintage Trailer Academy in NM. I wish those were still happening! I learned SO much!
I know it probably depends on which trailer but I was wondering if you could point me to a photo of the installation of the Blue Sea disconnect switch. Is normally installed inside the trailer? On the tongue?
Thanks for you help.
Laura
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