Battery Disconnect
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 196
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From: Burlington WI
Battery Disconnect
Has anyone installed a battery disconnect on a early C4. I just bought
one from advance auto because my 87 battery has a aftermarket alarm
system that drains the battery after 3 weeks of non use. With the battery being so tight in the engine compartment not sure if I have room. Also would the disconnect go on the Neg. side as there is a little
more space than the Pos. with all the wires connected to it.
one from advance auto because my 87 battery has a aftermarket alarm
system that drains the battery after 3 weeks of non use. With the battery being so tight in the engine compartment not sure if I have room. Also would the disconnect go on the Neg. side as there is a little
more space than the Pos. with all the wires connected to it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by jayr
... Also would the disconnect go on the Neg. side as there is a little
more space than the Pos. with all the wires connected to it.
more space than the Pos. with all the wires connected to it.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: Davenport FL
I have one on my '81 and it helps me a lot. I have to use it if my car is going to sit up even for a week.
I think my sub is pulling it down, but electrical work doesn't seem to be up anyone alley. Its hard to find anyone willing to tackle these kind of problems. So the cut off saves me a lot of headaches.
www.mycarframes.com
I think my sub is pulling it down, but electrical work doesn't seem to be up anyone alley. Its hard to find anyone willing to tackle these kind of problems. So the cut off saves me a lot of headaches.
www.mycarframes.com
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Burlington WI
Thanks for the infro. Yes electrical problems can be a pain. I have
snap-0n volt amp meters on a stand from the 60's and this will show
even when the glove box bulb is on. I know that the blinking light
from the alarm system is reading a lot of sensors. Once I had it
parked a 1/2 block from a train tracks and it went off 5 times because
of a train going by. I would reset it and walk 10 ft and off it go again.
snap-0n volt amp meters on a stand from the 60's and this will show
even when the glove box bulb is on. I know that the blinking light
from the alarm system is reading a lot of sensors. Once I had it
parked a 1/2 block from a train tracks and it went off 5 times because
of a train going by. I would reset it and walk 10 ft and off it go again.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
I have the **** type on my C3 and also on several other vehicles that don't get driven much. I've done this for several years with no problem other then matching the battery cable end to the shut off. I have also used it on either the + or the - side of the battery and since it is a disconnect it doesn't matter.
You should look at where you are mounting it to be sure that it won't touch anything to ground it out because it will be a little longer and a little higher. I had that issue on a Geo Tracker I had because I put a bigger taller battery in it and the cut off switch stuck up a little higher so it hit the hood and sparks were flying!! Simple fix but something to watch for.
LBM
You should look at where you are mounting it to be sure that it won't touch anything to ground it out because it will be a little longer and a little higher. I had that issue on a Geo Tracker I had because I put a bigger taller battery in it and the cut off switch stuck up a little higher so it hit the hood and sparks were flying!! Simple fix but something to watch for.
LBM
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Vettemod.com For the C3 People
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Carl914
I have one on my '81 and it helps me a lot. I have to use it if my car is going to sit up even for a week.
I think my sub is pulling it down, but electrical work doesn't seem to be up anyone alley. Its hard to find anyone willing to tackle these kind of problems. So the cut off saves me a lot of headaches.
www.mycarframes.com
I think my sub is pulling it down, but electrical work doesn't seem to be up anyone alley. Its hard to find anyone willing to tackle these kind of problems. So the cut off saves me a lot of headaches.
www.mycarframes.com
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: Davenport FL
Do you think your drain is from a stereo sub or some other source? My sub is hooked directly to the battery as per the manufacturer's recomendations.
BTW, mine is the **** type and I have never broken it, but that doesn't keep it from being a back breaker to get to behind the seat.
www.mycarframes.com
BTW, mine is the **** type and I have never broken it, but that doesn't keep it from being a back breaker to get to behind the seat.
www.mycarframes.com
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
What does it matter what side the disconnect is on since it breaks the circuit either way? If you remove the ground there is no route to the battery which you need to complete the circuit and you need to have a complete circuit for anything requiring 12 V to work. The same can be said for removing the positive side. If either cable is off the battery no juice flows.
I believe the disconnects with the ***** I have been using for years are intended to mount on the positive stud of the battery since they are smaller in Diameter. Since it is easier most of the time I too just stick it on the positive side. But I have a battery where the positive stud of the battery is hard to get to so I put it on the negative side - had to spread the jaws a little and make sure it was good and tight but it works fine and I have not had a problem with it at all.
I put the disconnect on the battery where it is easier to get to so I use it and don't drain the battery.
I believe the disconnects with the ***** I have been using for years are intended to mount on the positive stud of the battery since they are smaller in Diameter. Since it is easier most of the time I too just stick it on the positive side. But I have a battery where the positive stud of the battery is hard to get to so I put it on the negative side - had to spread the jaws a little and make sure it was good and tight but it works fine and I have not had a problem with it at all.
I put the disconnect on the battery where it is easier to get to so I use it and don't drain the battery.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 699
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From: Vettemod.com For the C3 People
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by onaqwst
logical reason for the positive side...
you kill the power before it even gets into the system.....
safer that way.....
to each his own.....
b
you kill the power before it even gets into the system.....
safer that way.....
to each his own.....
b
In a DC system is does not really matter, BUT, it is a good practice to always break the positive side. Otherwise, someone may read all this and put the above into practice in their home (AC)
best
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Power actually flows from the negative side...
If you disconnect the negative terminal you will stop the flow of electrons from the battery.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
eff it.... just hook up 2... one on both sides.... just to avoid any arguements......
but then again, isnt the fuse panel before any parts that need the power?...
battery.... fuse panel.....motor...ground...?
b
but then again, isnt the fuse panel before any parts that need the power?...
battery.... fuse panel.....motor...ground...?
b
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 69
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I too went to a Tech school that had 2 teachers at conflict on which direction power flowed.
The discussion (argument) began when the question came up as to which battery cable should be removed first.
Basically in order for juice to flow you need a path to both poles of the battery - if one is removed the juice stops. I'm convinced that it is better to remove the ground side first because at that point there is no more path to the battery. If you ground out the wrench while removing the positive side you will not get a spark be cause there is no path back to the battery. If you remove the positive first and ground out the wrench you will get a spark because the path to the battery is still in place. Uncontrolled sparks are bad!!!
Also my training says that juice flows out the negative side and in the positive side of a battery and that when either cable is removed nothing flows.
LBM
The discussion (argument) began when the question came up as to which battery cable should be removed first.
Basically in order for juice to flow you need a path to both poles of the battery - if one is removed the juice stops. I'm convinced that it is better to remove the ground side first because at that point there is no more path to the battery. If you ground out the wrench while removing the positive side you will not get a spark be cause there is no path back to the battery. If you remove the positive first and ground out the wrench you will get a spark because the path to the battery is still in place. Uncontrolled sparks are bad!!!
Also my training says that juice flows out the negative side and in the positive side of a battery and that when either cable is removed nothing flows.
LBM