Disconnecting battery cable
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 407
Likes: 12
From: Maywood NJ
Disconnecting battery cable
I was told to always disconnect the battery cable ( neg ) form the battery in my 68 vert. even just leaving it parked. I could understand if u are doing any kind real of work on it, but even leaving it parked in your garage? I could understand if your car is not driven or in storage but....all the time ?Is this true?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I don't but have spent much time with the wiring and am confident that it is in good condition. I have no electrical drains except the clock and the radio keep alive and I drive the car often enough that the battery is always at a high charge level. If you have any concern about the integrity of your electrical system you need to disconnect or install a cutoff until you can sort out the system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
It's personal preference really, it will virtually eliminate the chance of an electrical fire or a dead battery. No benefit other than that, an inexpensive disconnect on the negative battery terminal is easy to use and may be a slight theft deterrent also.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 407
Likes: 12
From: Maywood NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi MR68,
I sleep a little better having a battery disconnect. I still have original wiring harnesses except for the engine harness.
In fact I've gotten to the point that after working on the car I bring the disconnect **** into the house with me because I got tired of having to go back to the garage at 10:00 pm to check if indeed I disconnected the battery.
It's surprising how often someone posts that they shorted something out because they were working on the car and had forgotten to disconnect the battery first.
It literally takes about 5 seconds to disconnect it and ten seconds to connect it.
Regards,
Alan
This is the type with a '****', there's also one with a 'knife' (lever) that some people like.
I sleep a little better having a battery disconnect. I still have original wiring harnesses except for the engine harness.
In fact I've gotten to the point that after working on the car I bring the disconnect **** into the house with me because I got tired of having to go back to the garage at 10:00 pm to check if indeed I disconnected the battery.
It's surprising how often someone posts that they shorted something out because they were working on the car and had forgotten to disconnect the battery first.
It literally takes about 5 seconds to disconnect it and ten seconds to connect it.
Regards,
Alan
This is the type with a '****', there's also one with a 'knife' (lever) that some people like.
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 17, 2017 at 06:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 407
Likes: 12
From: Maywood NJ
Hi MR68,
I sleep a little better having a battery disconnect. I still have original wiring harnesses except for the engine harness.
In fact I've gotten to the point that after working on the car I bring the disconnect **** into the house with me because I got tired of having to go back to the garage at 10:00 pm to check if indeed I disconnected the battery.
It's surprising how often someone posts that they shorted something out because they were working on the car and had forgotten to disconnect the battery first.
It literally takes about 5 seconds to disconnect it and ten seconds to connect it.
Regards,
Alan
This is the type with a '****', there's also one with a 'knife' (lever) that some people like.
I sleep a little better having a battery disconnect. I still have original wiring harnesses except for the engine harness.
In fact I've gotten to the point that after working on the car I bring the disconnect **** into the house with me because I got tired of having to go back to the garage at 10:00 pm to check if indeed I disconnected the battery.
It's surprising how often someone posts that they shorted something out because they were working on the car and had forgotten to disconnect the battery first.
It literally takes about 5 seconds to disconnect it and ten seconds to connect it.
Regards,
Alan
This is the type with a '****', there's also one with a 'knife' (lever) that some people like.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
those cheap post disconnects fall apart/ break very easy.
I installed a real disconnect switch, under the rear center cargo door,
next to the battery, it even has a removable key,
and I can also lock the center door, preventing access to the switch.
I installed a real disconnect switch, under the rear center cargo door,
next to the battery, it even has a removable key,
and I can also lock the center door, preventing access to the switch.
Last edited by 69Vett; Apr 17, 2017 at 11:43 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Any type of disconnect that actually DOES disconnect the battery and has the same or better current-carrying capability that the battery wire has is 'good enough' for your car. If you want to spend $50 on a fancy disconnect, go for it. If you don't....don't.
But, if you are a DIY type of owner, you NEED a disconnect to conveniently turn off the electrical circuit ANY TIME you work on the car. Doing otherwise is foolish and asking for a catastrophe.
But, if you are a DIY type of owner, you NEED a disconnect to conveniently turn off the electrical circuit ANY TIME you work on the car. Doing otherwise is foolish and asking for a catastrophe.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 407
Likes: 12
From: Maywood NJ
Any type of disconnect that actually DOES disconnect the battery and has the same or better current-carrying capability that the battery wire has is 'good enough' for your car. If you want to spend $50 on a fancy disconnect, go for it. If you don't....don't.
But, if you are a DIY type of owner, you NEED a disconnect to conveniently turn off the electrical circuit ANY TIME you work on the car. Doing otherwise is foolish and asking for a catastrophe.
But, if you are a DIY type of owner, you NEED a disconnect to conveniently turn off the electrical circuit ANY TIME you work on the car. Doing otherwise is foolish and asking for a catastrophe.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,375
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
I used the **** out of my battery disconnect this weekend changing the turn signal and headlight switches. Makes in-job testing much easier. Yes connect it to the negative battery terminal. I have the **** type like Alans. Never had a problem with it.