Battery Disconnect Switch - Event Date: 16 Dec 2017

Guess someone has to ask.. Teddy, have you double checked your meter?

From experience mind ya, when I don't get a reading I expect, I double check I'm set right on the DMM then check a known of same power source.

Also, your looking for only 5v DC at the USB port.

Originally posted by rawest50 Since I am electrically dumb. If you install a battery disconnect switch what service does it perform? When would you use it?

If you store your Pod somewhere you can't plug in, the batteries will be dead in a very short time, due to phantom draws.. so this saves your battery. There are other reasons a owner may want one, but that's the main reason.

+1

If ever in doubt of which side to tie into DPDT. Removes all doubt.

MHO on the matter.

I don't have a disconnect switch on my Pod so I haven't had to make this decision for myself.  It seems like NHRA rules are dealt with by generally competent mechanics, which may be a factor in choosing to switch the positive side.  I don't really know, but I suspect they tend to use specialized, fused switches that may have a lot more spark protection than a cheap RV cutoff switch.

For amateurs, using a cheap knife blade cutoff switch, I think putting the switch on the negative side is probably the best way to go.  Those switches are almost pure metal conductive surface that greatly increases the possibility of an accidental short circuit. 

There are slightly more expensive switches that have no metal exposed that should probably be used if one insists on putting the switch on the + side.  They tend to be a little more effort to install too.

Electrically, it makes no difference.  A good switch, competently installed will work on either side.  For a casual installation, especially of a knife blade switch, the negative side is the way to go.

Yes, I'm pretty much switching my answer! 

TT