C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Battery Disconnect Switch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 01:40 PM
  #1  
ArthurMartin's Avatar
ArthurMartin
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Default Battery Disconnect Switch

What type of battery disconnect switch do you guys use? I'm trying to figure out if I have a bad ground of what. I use a battery maintainer on a new battery but it keeps losing its charge when the car sits for a while. The only thing I know that is running is the dash clock.. Anyways, I figure the easiest way in the meantime is to disconnect the battery while the car is not in use with a battery disconnect switch. Thanks in advance for any help.


Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 02:23 PM
  #2  
427basketcase's Avatar
427basketcase
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Default

This is what I use, it works very well (after installing it, which can be challenging)
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...BS-SR&CTitle=&
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 02:58 PM
  #3  
1ATony's Avatar
1ATony
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Default

They have them at places like Autozone. I had one on my car they work pretty good.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 03:33 PM
  #4  
Paul L's Avatar
Paul L
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Default

Wirth blade disconnect. The extra wiring is for a subwoofer.

Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 03:42 PM
  #5  
ED79's Avatar
ED79
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Asheville N.C.
Default

Originally Posted by paul 74
Wirth blade disconnect. The extra wiring is for a subwoofer.

Easy to operate, got mine at Advance Auto
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 04:09 PM
  #6  
ArthurMartin's Avatar
ArthurMartin
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Default

Nice thanks for all of the help.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 04:49 PM
  #7  
outlawkinser's Avatar
outlawkinser
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 5
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by paul 74
Wirth blade disconnect. The extra wiring is for a subwoofer.

I bought the same disconnect that Paul used. Got it from J.C. Whitney. Unit works great. I like it better than the **** unit.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 04:57 PM
  #8  
Lon Wayne's Avatar
Lon Wayne
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Default Vader Vette

Originally Posted by ArthurMartin
What type of battery disconnect switch do you guys use? I'm trying to figure out if I have a bad ground of what. I use a battery maintainer on a new battery but it keeps losing its charge when the car sits for a while. The only thing I know that is running is the dash clock.. Anyways, I figure the easiest way in the meantime is to disconnect the battery while the car is not in use with a battery disconnect switch. Thanks in advance for any help.


Go to your local napa they have the same switch no waiting . I use it on my camper 12 volts. my vett batt stays charged all season by its self Store it in Oct Starts right up in the spring clock running and all. you must have a small batt drain, if the fuses wernt so hard to get to I would say take them out(one at A time) shut out the flash light and plug it back in when you see a spark track down that fuse and see what all it runs.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 04:57 PM
  #9  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi,
Although I like the **** type disconnect, I've noticed that because the ground cable is so stiff, it can twist the loose part of the switch when the **** is turned part way so a connection can still be made. I'm now removing the **** completely and moving the ground cable aside to be sure.
So perhaps Paul's knife type dissconnect is the one to use.
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 05:12 PM
  #10  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi,
Although I like the **** type disconnect, I've noticed that because the ground cable is so stiff, it can twist the loose part of the switch when the **** is turned part way so a connection can still be made. I'm now removing the **** completely and moving the ground cable aside to be sure.
So perhaps Paul's knife type dissconnect is the one to use.
Regards,
Alan
Allen here is how you can fix that little problem. Just add a couple zip ties and the problem is solved.

Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 05:21 PM
  #11  
rajsid's Avatar
rajsid
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Default

Don't get the Corvette Central kind. They may look similar to what other vendors are selling. It's just that they are always on back order.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 06:52 PM
  #12  
nutsy's Avatar
nutsy
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 123
From: CA.
Default

Originally Posted by ED79
Easy to operate, got mine at Advance Auto
i have same one. no problems, easy to install. (blade type)
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 07:59 PM
  #13  
wills670's Avatar
wills670
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
Default

This is the switch I have on mine. It is a cole hersee quarter turn. I just used a short cable to the batt. and then removed the bolt from the regular negative cable and installed it on the other side. I routed the cable so there was no possibility of it coming in contact with the possitive side. It works very well just open up the compartment and a qurter turn and your ready to go.

Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 08:07 PM
  #14  
vetteguy75's Avatar
vetteguy75
Melting Slicks
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Default

Originally Posted by paul 74
Wirth blade disconnect. The extra wiring is for a subwoofer.

Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:10 PM
  #15  
onaqwst's Avatar
onaqwst
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
Default

buy 2 and put 1 one each side.... i would rather kill the hott then the ground though if i had 1....

just saying....
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:47 PM
  #16  
72LS1Vette's Avatar
72LS1Vette
Safety Car
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Default

I put a blade switch on the + side of my battery because I have a wire from the terminal side of the switch connected to the ECU memory and I need the ground connected. There have been some discussions of disconnect switches in the past. Some use them on the + side and some on the ground. Either way works, and I'm not sure if there was ever a consensus on which side produces more sparks when connecting. I have not seen any sparks from my switch when connecting the + side.



Rick B.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 10:46 PM
  #17  
7dSHARK's Avatar
7dSHARK
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by wills670
This is the switch I have on mine. It is a cole hersee quarter turn. I just used a short cable to the batt. and then removed the bolt from the regular negative cable and installed it on the other side. I routed the cable so there was no possibility of it coming in contact with the possitive side. It works very well just open up the compartment and a qurter turn and your ready to go.

i would like to see a photo of that,,matt
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Battery Disconnect Switch

Old Oct 21, 2009 | 11:31 PM
  #18  
Erik016's Avatar
Erik016
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Concord ca
Default

I use a hella
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HLA-002843011/
The key is removable so it also works as a theft prevention device.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 08:01 AM
  #19  
Ganey's Avatar
Ganey
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Default

The large switch w/ the **** in the beginning of the topic will work for many. Neg. side rec. esp. for the large switches.
.
.
.



I prefer this type.
Originally Posted by wills670
This is the switch I have on mine. ...
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2009 | 01:50 PM
  #20  
wills670's Avatar
wills670
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
Default

Originally Posted by frustrated
i would like to see a photo of that,,matt
Here is a pic. I did not want to drill any holes to mount so it is just laying in there.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:35 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE