Battery cut of switch qurestion

[cfriedman67]

Why do some people use a battery cut of switch and others do not? I am trying to decide if I need to install one.

Thanks

[PeteH]

On a road going car, for safety and security. When in storage the battery is switched off for safety against fire hazard. Should you ever be in an accident, it gives the police and fire dept. ready access to disconnect power. Many have a cutoff switch on the back panel between the seats, there is also a type that goes on the negative battery terminal.
Mandatory on race cars.

[cfriedman67]

Hi PetetH,

Why is that different than a car I use on a daily basis or is that the difference?

[PeteH]

That's a good question. I have them on a few classic sports cars, because they're old, even though wiring looms have been replaced, they do sit around alot. To me the fact these are home built cars, even though we're careful during the build, benefit from the peace of mind cutoff's provide. Should something short unexpectedly, you can shut it down quickly.

[GoDadGo]

Hi PetetH,

Why is that different than a car I use on a daily basis or is that the difference?

Nobody wants to steal you daily beater, nor mine, and you likely won't drive your daily at the race track.

I've got a keyed battery switch, a coil cut out switch, a secondary starter switch & removable steering wheel.

Since I work in New Orleans, I want to drive it on fare-weather days and be sure that it is still where I parked it when I'm ready to go home.

[cfriedman67]

Thanks for the responses, i get it now. I'm assuming I want to put this switch were it is easily accessible but not easily seen?

[Dave Howard]

Security????? If an expert wants your roadster, the battery cut off switch isn't going to prevent him from rolling up with a low boy trailer and yanking the car onto it with a winch or two buddies. Besides, the switches are keyed. Most use a universal switch actuator.

For me, the battery cut off switch was piece of mind that the car is electrically powered down when I want it to be. I placed mine on the back wall of the cockpit between the seats. Battery is under trunk so it was a short run to the switch. I wanted the switch visible for aesthetics.

[GoDadGo]

Security????? If an expert wants your roadster, the battery cut off switch isn't going to prevent him from rolling up with a low boy trailer and yanking the car onto it with a winch or two buddies. Besides, the switches are keyed. Most use a universal switch actuator.

For me, the battery cut off switch was piece of mind that the car is electrically powered down when I want it to be. I placed mine on the back wall of the cockpit between the seats. Battery is under trunk so it was a short run to the switch. I wanted the switch visible for aesthetics.

SECURITY / YES

I park, when at work, in a covered garage so car trailers won't get in there and the ceiling is way too low for a wrecker of any type.

Since most thieves don't drive around with a car dollies or trailer, nor do many drive wreckers I think these security redundancies can and do help.

Plus these redundancies are all hidden in different locations on the car, with an emphasis on hidden.

Aye & Good Day From The Dirty South!

[Bob Cowan]

It's required equipment for most race classes. The Cobra is essentially a race car with a license plate. I think a lot of people install them because it's part of the visual and functional package. You really don't want to be using it very often, though. It will eventually fail and leave you stranded.

[CraigS]

From the extra security standpoint where to mount it depends on where your battery is. When mine was in the rear the switch was in the trunk. On the rare occasions that I wanted to feel better, I turned off the switch, took the red key w/ me, and locked the trunk. You could do similar w/ the battery up front since the trunk latches are keyed. In some installations you can also make the wiring simpler w/ something like this.
http://www.eastwood.com/battery-shut...FV61wAod_roLWA

[Brew211]

Nobody wants to steal you daily beater, nor mine, and you likely won't drive your daily at the race track.

I've got a keyed battery switch, a coil cut out switch, a secondary starter switch & removable steering wheel.

Since I work in New Orleans, I want to drive it on fare-weather days and be sure that it is still where I parked it when I'm ready to go home.

What is a "secondary starter switch?"

[GoDadGo]

What is a "secondary starter switch?"

The wire used for the clutch safety switch can also be used to keep the starter from engaging if you add a secondary toggle switch.

Add another hidden toggle switch to the coil feed and you create a redundancy there too.

[John4337]

I put one in for both piece of mind that the power was off (except for the clock and EFI memory) and as a small measure of security. I tucked it on the horseshoe below the dash. With the flag key out, the socket almost disappears into the black carpet, so you have to know it's there. I know it won't stop a pro that really wants the car, but it can't hurt, right?

John

[Jeff Kleiner]

I've got a keyed battery switch, a coil cut out switch, a secondary starter switch & removable steering wheel.

.

I've got insurance

I have a battery disconnect switch on mine because I track it and some of the organizers and/or sanctioning bodies require it.

BTW, you guys know that the flag keys are all alike, right?


Jeff

[GoDadGo]

I've got insurance

I have a battery disconnect switch on mine because I track it and some of the organizers and/or sanctioning bodies require it.

BTW, you guys know that the flag keys are all alike, right?


Jeff

Yes, but if you can't find it, you can't use it.

[RoadRacer]

Add another hidden toggle switch to the coil feed and you create a redundancy there too.

I've done that. Another one I do is add switch for electric fuel pump so it may drive a little way then stop.

[FFinisher]

I've got insurance

I have a battery disconnect switch on mine because I track it and some of the organizers and/or sanctioning bodies require it.

BTW, you guys know that the flag keys are all alike, right?


Jeff

Not true.


I painted one Blue,

AHahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!

[GoDadGo]

Not true.


I painted one Blue,

AHahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!

Great Idea, I'll Paint Mine Black!

Love Your Post!

Time to get on the Motorcycle and make that 35 mile ride to The Big Easy!

See Yalllllll Later!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Not true.


I painted one Blue,

AHahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!!

At least you didn't paint it orange

Jeff

[GoDadGo]

At least you didn't paint it orange

Jeff

Being The Chevy Guy That I Am I Think I Will Paint My Orange Key Chevy Orange!

[Dave Howard]

I've got insurance

I have a battery disconnect switch on mine because I track it and some of the organizers and/or sanctioning bodies require it.

BTW, you guys know that the flag keys are all alike, right?


Jeff

My point exactly.

[AC Bill]

I mounted my cut off switch on the small angled panel at the rear of the tranny cover. If i was to do it again, I would mount it somewhere up by the dash, or perhaps up at the front of the tranny cover. As it is now, it would be very hard to reach when strapped in to the harness, especially if you were hanging upside down.