Forest River Battery Disconnect Switch Location And Purpose

RVs are quite amazing tools for any camping or nomadic lifestyle. However, finding any important switch in most RVs is nearly impossible without the manual. It is often quite frustrating for RV owners to look for key parts like a battery disconnect switch, water heater reset button, etc.

The battery disconnect switch in most Forest River RVs is installed behind the motorhome’s propane tank. However, some models have the switch near the engine, in the control room, under the driver’s seat, and in other places!

Also, Forest River and most other RV brands don’t mention the battery disconnect switch in their manual! So, most owners just don’t know they have this important switch in their RV, and those who know need to play hide and seek to find it! But first, what is the importance of this battery disconnect switch?

What Does Forest River Battery Disconnect Switch Do?

The battery disconnect switch is designed to let you disconnect the electrical power fed to the main circuit of your RV. This way, you have no chance of draining your battery when you’re not using it.

If used on an RV cell, it cuts electricity to the negative dc wire, severing the link between the battery and the 12V switches scattered around the RV that provides electricity to other appliances like the lights or outlets.

Moreover, RV batteries can be a huge pain to fix if it gets drained accidentally. Hence, the battery disconnect switch helps by letting you conveniently remove the battery from the circuit.

So, the reasons behind having a battery disconnect switch in your Forest River motorhome are-

Allowing you to park the motorhome for a long time without worrying about the battery draining
Lets you disconnect the battery in a very convenient way
Protects the battery and other electrical RV equipment from any electric hazards or accidents during storage

As you can already understand, the battery disconnect switch is handy for any RV or motorhome owner. However, that is if you can find the switch first!

Where Is The Forest River Battery Disconnect Switch Located?

As it can be tough for owners to look for the battery disconnect switch, we listed 4 common places to look for in your Forest River motorhome if you can’t find it.

1. Behind The Propane Tanks

Nowadays, most Forest River motorhomes have the battery disconnect switch installed behind the propane tanks of the vehicle.

Forest River motorhomes are most known to have battery disconnect switches either behind the propane tanks or underneath the propane tank rank.

While other brands usually install the battery disconnect switch somewhere else in the motorhome. So, if you have a Forest River motorhome or RV, your first choice should be to look behind or underneath the propane tank rack.

2. On The Control Panel Of Forest River

Some Forest River motorhomes have the battery disconnect switch on the control panel with other switches. However, this trait is usually known in the Fleetwood motorhomes.

If you can’t find your Forest River battery disconnect switch behind the propane tanks, you should look for a switch labeled “AUX Battery” or “Battery Cut-Off Switch.” This should be the switch that disconnects the battery from the main circuit.

3. Around or Near The Engine

If you have a second-hand RV or motorhome, the previous owner probably installed a battery disconnect switch if the model doesn’t come with one.

So, after checking near the propane tanks and the control panel (where manufacturers like Forest River put the battery disconnect switches), you should check places convenient for the RVers to have installed a switch themselves.

Usually, most RVers or motorhome owners install their aftermarket battery disconnect switch near the engine because the engine is close to the battery and is very easily accessible for the owner.

4. Close To The Front Door

This is another common place where Forest River installs its battery disconnect switches. However, these switches are not labeled battery disconnect switches or marketed as such.

The switches are usually found close to the front door of most newer models of Forest River motorhomes. This acts as a main power switch for the unit.

The rocker switch can easily be flicked on and off when leaving the motorhome, and you can power on each appliance together with the flick of a single switch.

That’s why this is marketed as the “Salesman’s switch!”

When Should You Use The Forest River Battery Disconnect Switch?

The most obvious reason to disconnect the battery from the main circuit is when you’re parking the motorhome for an extended time. This way, the battery won’t be drained if you’re not using it.

Common reasoning behind this is that whenever batteries are left unused, they drain and degrade over time. Small electrical leaks or drains cause this degradation of the battery.

This can also happen if the batteries face freezing conditions. This can harm a battery’s overall health, which can harm its overall health and will almost likely shorten its lifespan.

Another reason behind using the battery disconnect switch can be to prevent thefts! As the starter of most RVs uses electrical energy from the battery, you can prevent anyone from starting the vehicle using electrical power.

Some owners disconnect the battery when traveling long distances and don’t plan on using the back of the motorhome or the RV.

FAQs.

We answered some of the web’s most commonly asked questions about the Forest River battery disconnect switch location. Read below to check if this section answers some of your questions.

Do I need to disconnect the Forest River battery if my RV is connected to shore power while in storage?

This is a very important question to ask. If your RV batteries are lead-acid, you have a storage mode converter; then you do not need to disconnect the battery from the main circuit when connected to shore power.

Should the Forest River Battery Disconnect Switch be on or off?

The battery disconnect switch should be in the on position when you’re using the RV or motorhome. The On position means the battery is connected to the main circuit, while the off position in the battery cut-off switch means the battery is disconnected.

Why does my Forest River RV battery drain when nothing is on?

This is exactly why you should disconnect the battery while on storage. If your battery drains even when the battery powers nothing, this means that you have a parasitic electrical drain.
A parasitic drain will pull energy from the battery even when everything, including the engine, is turned off!

Do all Forest River motorhomes come with a disconnect switch?

No. Not all models of RVs or motorhomes have a built-in battery disconnect switch.
If you have checked all the common places for a disconnect switch mentioned in this article, probably, your model does not come with a disconnect switch.

Conclusion

Most owners have reported that they never knew about the Forest River battery disconnect switch or that it took them years to find the battery disconnect switch inside their forest river motorhome or RV.

So, if you can’t find the built-in disconnect switch, you can install an aftermarket switch yourself or manually remove the battery from the circuit. Remember to remove the battery’s negative terminal first when disconnecting manually.

Also, ensure all electric appliances are turned off when storing your motorhome and maintain the vehicle properly. Because small maintenance can help you save a lot in the long run!

Zayan

Zayan is an accomplished author and a go-to expert for all things RV and camper-related. With a passion for adventure and a knack for problem-solving, he has spent years exploring the open road and fine-tuning his knowledge of recreational vehicles.

Zayan’s writing is a testament to his expertise, offering readers practical solutions to common RV dilemmas. Whether it’s troubleshooting mechanical issues, optimizing space, or planning the perfect road trip, Zayan’s insightful advice and engaging storytelling make him an invaluable resource for both seasoned travelers and newcomers to the world of RVing.

Forest River Battery Disconnect Switch Location and Purpose

What Does Forest River Battery Disconnect Switch Do?