Dead batteries

Hey guys help me out with this one I installed a switch on my dual 12V batteries to cut the circuit when not in use based upon advice I got in this forum. we camped last weekend and I just went out to check things out for this weekend and the batteries were dead according to the gauge and there was no power to any of the appliances or radio. I had the key removed that complete the circuit on the battery is so I don't really understand how that could have possibly happened. it's charging now but before I hooked up the electricity I took a reading on the multi-meter and it read 12.7 to 12.72. I really have no clue what I'm doing with the multi-meter. anyways I hope it is fully charged tomorrow and no problems. we had no issues our first trip and after I brought it home I charged it and batteries were full charge for over a month so I can't quite understand. anyways any help would be appreciated thank you very much

Let me see if I understand what you said. You had the key removed that completes the circuit. Did you put the key back in before you checked things inside?

When you wired the battery cutoff switch, where did you place it? Since you say you have dual 12V batteries, I am going to have to assume that you wired them properly in parallel. If so, then the switch should be placed on one of the two leads from the batteries to the R-Pod and not the connection between the two batteries.

---------Switch------- Neg                        Pos----------------
                                  |                             |
                                  |                             |
                                Neg                        Pos

Alternate location which some prefer is to have it on the Pos lead instead of the negative. I prefer the negative as if you remove a negative lead and it touches metal, you won't get a spark like you would if a positive lead touched metal.

It could also be that you got a defective switch that did not really isolate the batteries when you thought you had them switched off. Hopefully, this gives you a couple of things to check.

Reading 12.66 while I'm not charging, switch in on position. Nothing working. Get a little flash on the r pod battery gauge initially. Could it be a fuse?

Edit: everything working when plugged into shore power

Would the fact that everything works on shore power indicate the switch is OK?

Well I removed the switch from the picture and everything's working. Thanks so much! Bummer though. I wonder if it's the switch, or just too much connected to the post with the zamp and everything. Could water have damaged it? I'll just have to buy another.