? for those with battery disconnect :cool:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
? for those with battery disconnect :cool:
Hiya everyone
I'm gonna be putting in a battery disconnect on my '81, one of the big, red-keyed deals, hopefully tonight. Where have you put yours, and how did you run the cables? Did you splice the existing cable, run new cable, etc etc?
I was thinking of somewhere easy to reach, like on the console or under dash, but somewhere near the battery itself seems easiest. It's a side terminal, and theres no real room for one of those green-knobbed shut-offs, so I opted for the other and now I have to mount it somewhere.
Ideas?
Cheerio
I'm gonna be putting in a battery disconnect on my '81, one of the big, red-keyed deals, hopefully tonight. Where have you put yours, and how did you run the cables? Did you splice the existing cable, run new cable, etc etc?
I was thinking of somewhere easy to reach, like on the console or under dash, but somewhere near the battery itself seems easiest. It's a side terminal, and theres no real room for one of those green-knobbed shut-offs, so I opted for the other and now I have to mount it somewhere.
Ideas?
Cheerio
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 7
From: Coralville Iowa
I found some blade type at Advanced auto that work pretty good but there is not much clearance in the battery well.
I think he has the plastic key type that OReilly's sells.
I have one like that that I have not installed yet. I thought I would attach the leads under the center glove box and mount it inside the jack compartment with a metal angle. You could probably come in through the
back compartment behind the seat also.
Let me know if you come up with a good solution. I have been thinking about mounting that "plastic key" disconnect for a while.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I have a 75 in the shop and he put his (red key type)in the battery box with the key protruding into the center compartment.Works good just open center box to turn on.I have installed a bunch of the greeen **** ones but I do a little mod to them to keep them from seperating.
Last edited by ...Roger...; May 21, 2007 at 11:48 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: KC Kansas
I will be installing a red key type on my 79. I will be running a new ground cable. I think I will mount it right above the center console on the storage wall. It will be easy for me to access daily and easy to run the cables. The base is black and I have black carpet so it wont show all that much when the key is pulled out. I will post pics when I get around to actually installing it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
Cable colors are not indicative of polarity in the photo.
Last edited by shafrs3; May 21, 2007 at 12:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
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From: Moon Township PA
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
I think most here do it to make disconnecting the battery easy when they're working on the car.
I guess when you have a 40 year old car, anything that makes working on it easier is a big help.
I guess when you have a 40 year old car, anything that makes working on it easier is a big help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I ran my negative lead to the compartment behind the passenger seat and installed the switch in there. I could lift the door, insert the key and turn it on with little effort. Same for removing it.
Bernie
Bernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Still not sure what I plan on doing. But I guess I better figure it out before I cut my positive cable to length.
Merlin, any pics of the switch your going to use? link to a website to purchase ect???
Also, whats the minimum rating you would safely suggest for a cutoff switch with a removable key? Alot of the ones on the market have low ratings. At startup the switch needs to handle a good amount of voltage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I installed the red key style one. I drilled a hole from behind drivers seat near console into battery compartment then pushed the round receiver through hole towards seat and attached with cover ring, sealer and screws. Then I cut a hole in carpet, slid over round receiver and used a black zip tie as a way to keep carpet from sliding back off. With the padded armrest in place, you can't see the lever which I dipped in that black rubber stuff you recoat plier handles with. To disconnect, I have to lift up armrest and flip switch. I used a short heavy gage battery cable from disconnect to battery hot.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
You guys ROCK
OK, so when I get home, after making dinner, eating dinner, doing dishes, playing with the dog and 7 year old and rewiring my trailer, I'm going to:
- buy a short section of cable from Autopepboyzone, find a convenient location near the battery, and install previously aforementioned switch as neat and secure as possible.
- try to remember to take a few pics too
Would running a small lead from the 'constant power' of my radio to the positive terminal be a good idea to keep my clock and presets? I'd throw in a fuse for good measure. I read somewhere that a small gauge wire wouldn't harm anything and would use very little juice - true?
OK, so when I get home, after making dinner, eating dinner, doing dishes, playing with the dog and 7 year old and rewiring my trailer, I'm going to:
- buy a short section of cable from Autopepboyzone, find a convenient location near the battery, and install previously aforementioned switch as neat and secure as possible.
- try to remember to take a few pics too
Would running a small lead from the 'constant power' of my radio to the positive terminal be a good idea to keep my clock and presets? I'd throw in a fuse for good measure. I read somewhere that a small gauge wire wouldn't harm anything and would use very little juice - true?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I will be installing a red key type on my 79. I will be running a new ground cable. I think I will mount it right above the center console on the storage wall. It will be easy for me to access daily and easy to run the cables. The base is black and I have black carpet so it wont show all that much when the key is pulled out. I will post pics when I get around to actually installing it.
I'm thinking of doing the same way. There was a thread on the forum in the past few months about this and one of the forum members had done this way. Looked good and very accessible!!!If I ever have a short and electrical fire, accessible disconnect would be very important to me.