How not to fit a battery cut-off switch

[Dave J]

see in your profile the car is a right hand drive, you must have long arms if you can reach that from the driver seat with belts done up, it wont be accepted by a scrutineer, unless you can find one with very long arms ......

[Gingerbread Man]

I hope for his sake that there is some way around this!

[davidball]

Thanks for the feedback. I take your point, though I am not planning on racing. I was reluctant to site it on the drivers side because of the length (1.5m) of the cable run, the starter solenoid is on the left above the battery. But if this is not a problem I will move it to the drivers side. I know how to do it now!

[ngr]

Fit a fire pull type t handle cable in the dash which will turn the switch off. Secure the outer of the cable somewhere near the switch then use a solderless nipple on the inner cable which is put through the small hole in the end of the key.

[davidball]

Thanks for the reply ngr. I must admit I was initially confused by it but I get it now. However, I had installed the cut-off switch not only as a fire control but also as an engine disabler. Your suggestion would kill the latter function. I think I will check how long the battery cables can safely be and resite the switch on the right if I can.

Edited by davidball on Tuesday 3rd March 11:37

[Skydragon]

You wrote >>see in your profile the car is a right hand drive, you must have long arms if you can reach that from the driver seat with belts done up, it wont be accepted by a scrutineer<<

I think you are confusing what needs to be accessable by the driver.

MSA 2009 blue book

External circuit breaker (75/76 on page 166) - This does not mention it is driver activated (on most cars it is well out of reach of the driver and is intended for marshall and Fire Crew usage).

Page 325 (Hillclimb/sprint) 60 - All Vehicles must be equipped with an ignition cut-off switch having positive on-off positions clearly marked. The ignition cut-off and fuel pumps isolation systems must be operable by the driver when normally seated with belts secure. - This is handled on a Caterham via the std ignition key switch.

Page 277(Racing) 120 - extract - The internal ignition cut-off and fuel pump isloation system must be operable by the driver when normally seated irresepctive of whether a safety harness is operated or not. - Again this is handled on a Caterham via the std ignition key switch.

[davidball]

Thanks Skydragon. In the light of what you say I think I will leave the cut-off switch where it is.