Battery isolator (discarnect)

[CraigHew]

Saw a recent post by Lyonspride which mentioned a "discarnect" battery isolator switch.

 

They seem pretty cheap and simple to fit.  Handy perhaps for long (winter) lay-up periods along with an added anti-fire precaution.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Disconnect-Switch-Isolator-Richbrook-Discarnect-Cut-Off-Switch-fuselink-/121099130786?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c321217a2

 

Has anyone had problems with these?

I'm fairly sure that there's nothing on my Mega S2000 that needs a power supply (like a clock or radio presets or an ECU).

 

I normally run a mains-fed maintenance charger on the car when it's in the garage. I'm guessing I wouldn't really need that if I fit one of these discarnect thingys...?

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

They can be very handy devices. Whether you need any kind of maintenance charging on the battery depends a little on the type of battery and the duration of lay up; many of the gel batteries are excellent at retaining charge when left disconnected, but lead-acid "wet" batteries, not always so much. Even then though, you could get away with just keeping an eye on it and popping a conditioner on every so often.

 

Just be aware though, anyone doing this, that if like me your insurance company requires an immobiliser, then without it being powered up and working your car may not be covered! Mine, as the brokers have taken time and care to explain is 100% not covered when left unattended if the immobiliser is disconnected/not powered up etc.

[Lyonspride]

There's no way you can really have problems with them, they're so simple. There are basically two metal plates with a thin layer of plastic between them, the bottom one has a threaded hole, when you screw down the screw completes the circuit, when you loosen off the screw rises and breaks the circuit.

 

I modified mine so that the - lead can be removed completely and the screw part hidden or carried with, so I get isolation and security at the same time.

 

Dave is right though, be careful if your insurance is immobilizer dependant.

 

You could connect a loop of wire with a small value fuse, from the original terminal to the discarnect, this would keep any electronics running but the fuse would blow if a problem occurred or if someone tried to start it.

In fact there are versions that come with this as standard.

 

However it depends what your buying it for, in my case I primarily wanted complete isolation when the car is garaged (I found constantly undoing the terminal was a complete pain) in other cases people use them as cheap immobilizers.

[blue ass fly]

Just bought one of these as my little gel battery dies over winter

Easy to fit and operate - cheap - whats not to like

Maybe some vasaline on the contact area to avoid corrosion would be an idea

[tisme]

I have this type on mine (hidden under the scuttle) http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php/180/battery-isolator-switch

 

It means I can "disconnect" the battery without taking the bonnet off when I'm not using the car and also if I leave it anywhere for more than a few minutes I can take the plastic key with me (I do have a proper ignition switch/key as well) 

[CraigHew]

Ordered one this afternoon. It comes with small value fuse but I wont be utilising that function.