Battery disconnect

[Debbiec]

Should the battery disconnect be on or off as you are traveling down the road

[lsbrodsky]

Do you mean the stock USE-STORE switch? If so, does not matter except that if you want to operate your refrigerator on propane it will have to be in the USE position.
If you have an after-market disconnect, it depends how it is wired. Your trailer brakes need battery power to allow the wheels to turn. In the stock arrangement, this is always provided. After-market, I cannot say without seeing it.
Larry

[tbrowne]

I would say leave it on so that the fridge gets power and keeps food cold while traveling. Brakes work regardless of the switch position - brakes, tail lights and turn signals get power from the tow vehicle. The battery disconnect is mainly used to preserve battery life while the coach is not in use, otherwise leave it on.

[Shiny16]

You don’t say what kind of trailer. My 2016 sport had a disconnect switch. If it was off the brakes would not work. Whatever you have just make sure the brakes work in the off position.

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

You don’t say what kind of trailer. My 2016 sport had a disconnect switch. If it was off the brakes would not work. Whatever you have just make sure the brakes work in the off position.

If you tow with the disconnect switch ON or USE/STORE in USE you won’t have to worry about it. Electric brakes always work when connected to the TV. Discs typically take power from the trailer. The breakaway switch takes power from the trailer. If you, for some reason, want to tow with batteries off you should check when disconnected from the TV to see that either type brakes work with the breakaway switch pulled. Factory wiring should be correct but all bets are off with a used trailer.

[tbrowne]

Does Airstream even offer disc brakes as an option?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Hi Debbie,

If we are using the trailer, the switch is in the use mode.🤓

Everyone has a their answer...better to ck on your own.

TURN the switch to the store position, and see if the fridge lights on propane.

FWIW...Our Classic allows fridge use in the store mode, other AS's,(Airstreams), not so much.🤔

Sweet Streams.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Dale Baker]

A little off topic, but I bought my first airstream last week. It is a used 2008 19' international. I am becoming familiar with with the operation, but I noticed a red switch next to the door that neither I or the previous owner know the function. Reading the manuals did not help and it looks like it is stock rather than an add on. Can anyone identify what this switch is for?

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by Dale Baker

A little off topic, but I bought my first airstream last week. It is a used 2008 19' international. I am becoming familiar with with the operation, but I noticed a red switch next to the door that neither I or the previous owner know the function. Reading the manuals did not help and it looks like it is stock rather than an add on. Can anyone identify what this switch is for?

Power switch for your refrigerator cooling fan. Once turned on, then the thermo switch will control the on/off function of the fan. Generally, you should turn on the switch when you have the refrigerator running.

Several people of replaced the single fan with a dual set-up for more efficient and quieter operation than the stock single fan.

[smsasf]

Originally Posted by Debbiec

Should the battery disconnect be on or off as you are traveling down the road

Debbie, some responses mention propane refridgerator. Your info says “still looking”, which tends to suggest you do not yet own. Please note that on some newer models (Bambi as example) the refridgerators no longer have a propane option, only DC and AC power. On my new 2020 Bambi 20’ I turn on the inside battery disconnect switch when I pick up the trailer from the storage lot I use and then bring trailer to street outside house where I may load some goods from my refridge at home. Then while I am towing to campsites (only 3 times in last 2 months since purchase) that is usually 3-4 hours away I leave the switch on and the refridge continues to cool (assuming I turned on the refridge to number 4 on the inside dial) while I drive.