Battery master switch

[Hedgehopper]

I plan to fit a battery master switch to my car. Does it matter which terminal I fit it to?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

[Pasco]

Why ?

[roy e6]

Yep, you fit it to the earth terminal.

[Hedgehopper]

Why? Because a Griff owning friend's car wouldn't start when the immobiliser got confused. As he had a master switch he was able to immediately turn the battery off and on to reset it, otherwise it's kneeling in the gutter doing a spanner job.
Thanks for advice, neg. terminal it is.

[Pasco]

Hedgehopper said:

Why? Because a Griff owning friend's car wouldn't start when the immobiliser got confused. As he had a master switch he was able to immediately turn the battery off and on to reset it, otherwise it's kneeling in the gutter doing a spanner job.
Thanks for advice, neg. terminal it is.

Aah i thought their must be a good reason for fitting one now i know why

So you will fit the switch next to the battery i presume then ?

[Hedgehopper]

That's right. My pal had his fitted on to the back of the carpeted footboard with the removeable red handle sticking out through the front for easy access.

[Ballistic Banana]

Seems a strage place, if you need to take that panel out how easy ist with that afixed, also does the handle come out ...wouldnt want a figit/nervous passenger hitting/breaking it with his feet!! just some thoughts.... I am sure you can get one that fits straight onto the battery terminal which may be better....or move it up and to the side in the footwell....

BB

[Hedgehopper]

That's a good point. Might well be safer behind the footboard, not so accessible but at least there would be no chance of a passenger kicking it off in the middle of an overtaking manoeuvre!

[Pasco]

Am i right in thinking you can use these as a security device also and it has a small fused spur on board that keeps the power to the alarm but if the ignition is fired up it blows the fuse hence car will not start ?

Anyone have a link to this product please ?

[farrowby]

May be what ur after

http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?p=27100001&a...

[farrowby]

may b what ur after

https://www.ragingspeed.co.uk/catalog/product_info...

[Pasco]

Are you fitting that Faz ?

[Hoover.]

Mines positioned centrally at the top of the footboard, well out of the way of the passengers feet.

they would have to go some to turn it off, as it requires pushing in turning at the same time, and then removing for it to cut the current.

[happyaslarry]

Agree with Hoover. Mines in the same place and requires similar twisting action, and not yet had a passenger interfere with it. Far more convenient than having it behind the board.

[chrispitman]

so have all you guys switched the (-)Neg battery terminal then.

[Aussie John]

I was going to put my switch in the + cable but you guys are making me nervous! Why not? cheers, John.

[happyaslarry]

Mine is on the negative, but I don't believe it makes any difference.

Don't wish to enter a minefield here. Someone will tell me if I'm wrong...

Laurence

[griffter]

If you have it on the negative, cutting the switch will cut the engine. If you have it on the positive, cutting the switch may not cut the engine (if already running) as the alternator will still be powering the electrics.
Also, a stray wire or metal touching the switch terminals will touch/short battery live (unfused) which could lead to fireworks. If said wire touches positive and is connected to a component, the component may not be adequately protected by a fuse.
FWIW mine's installed in the back of the glove box. Easily accessed but totally hidden.

[Pasco]

griffter said:

If you have it on the negative, cutting the switch will cut the engine. If you have it on the positive, cutting the switch may not cut the engine (if already running) as the alternator will still be powering the electrics.
Also, a stray wire or metal touching the switch terminals will touch/short battery live (unfused) which could lead to fireworks. If said wire touches positive and is connected to a component, the component may not be adequately protected by a fuse.
FWIW mine's installed in the back of the glove box. Easily accessed but totally hidden.

So are we saying Negative is the right way to go then ?

[griffter]

Pasco said:

griffter said:

If you have it on the negative, cutting the switch will cut the engine. If you have it on the positive, cutting the switch may not cut the engine (if already running) as the alternator will still be powering the electrics.
Also, a stray wire or metal touching the switch terminals will touch/short battery live (unfused) which could lead to fireworks. If said wire touches positive and is connected to a component, the component may not be adequately protected by a fuse.
FWIW mine's installed in the back of the glove box. Easily accessed but totally hidden.

So are we saying Negative is the right way to go then ?

Yes! (IMHO)