Battery Cutoff Switch Question
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 82
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From: Plymouth MI
Battery Cutoff Switch Question
I have a 2001 convertible that has some battery drain issues. While I'm tracking thses down, I want to be able to disconnect one of the battery cables at night while I'm traveling so I don't need to start each morning with the help of AAA.
As background, the battery is a new Optima AGM Yellow Top using side posts and yes, while it's in the garage, I keep in on BatteryMinder AGM charher with the neg cable disconnected.
Does anyone use a battery curoff switch with this kind of setup and have a recommendation? I'm not envisioning this as a permanent fix, the drain is being traced, issue by issue, but I have some trips planned that can't be postponed and I wanted an easier solution than taking a wrench at the hotel each night and taking off the neg cable so the battery wouldn't drain overnight.
Thanks,
Charles
As background, the battery is a new Optima AGM Yellow Top using side posts and yes, while it's in the garage, I keep in on BatteryMinder AGM charher with the neg cable disconnected.
Does anyone use a battery curoff switch with this kind of setup and have a recommendation? I'm not envisioning this as a permanent fix, the drain is being traced, issue by issue, but I have some trips planned that can't be postponed and I wanted an easier solution than taking a wrench at the hotel each night and taking off the neg cable so the battery wouldn't drain overnight.
Thanks,
Charles
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
battery Cutoff switches
http://www.discoveryparts.com/cgi-bi...roduct=battery
mostly for race cars.
look at Bill's info about parasitic drain
http://www.discoveryparts.com/cgi-bi...roduct=battery
mostly for race cars.
look at Bill's info about parasitic drain
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
if it's draining overnight and you have a good battery, then you have something drawing some serious current and it needs to be resolved. A bat. bypass switch would be a temp. solution, but it really needs to be resolved. Yes, there is always some drain with these beasts but that's ridiculous. Be aware that your 'putor will be reset to factory settings so expect it to run differently.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth MI
if it's draining overnight and you have a good battery, then you have something drawing some serious current and it needs to be resolved. A bat. bypass switch would be a temp. solution, but it really needs to be resolved. Yes, there is always some drain with these beasts but that's ridiculous. Be aware that your 'putor will be reset to factory settings so expect it to run differently.
Thanks to the posters who recommended Bill's post. I have read it and it's information like this posted by members who have the greater good in mind that make this forum worth it's weight in gold.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
if its that bad that the battery drains over night, might want to think about renting an other car.
Safety issues.
Plus is the alternator charging your battery ? that may be part of the problem too.
Safety issues.
Plus is the alternator charging your battery ? that may be part of the problem too.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 82
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From: Plymouth MI
At any rate, thanks very much for the imput
Charles
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
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From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Stop by a local Autozone or Advance Auto. They'll check out your alternator and battery for free. They should also have the switch you want.
Even though the C5 seems to draw more power when off than a normal car, you should still get a minimum of two weeks of time between starts.
Even though the C5 seems to draw more power when off than a normal car, you should still get a minimum of two weeks of time between starts.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 825
From: US
I have used many battery disconect switches through the years. Advance Auto has a good one made by Battery Doctor its a flip switch and its made in the USA about twenty dollars foe either a top or side mount switch.