Dis-car-nect

[madmezza]

I wanted something that I could easily cut the power from the battery on the car (primarily in order for the alarm etc to stop flattening it inside of 4 weeks as Pb batteries don't like being flat!)

A mate of mine suggested a "Dis-car-nect" - it's a widget that screws onto the battery terminal, and the cable then connects to the other end. You unscrew a part from the middle to cut the power.

Seems like a good idea, and only costs

[jimmybondi]

I wanted something that I could easily cut the power from the battery on the car (primarily in order for the alarm etc to stop flattening it inside of 4 weeks as Pb batteries don't like being flat!)

A mate of mine suggested a "Dis-car-nect" - it's a widget that screws onto the battery terminal, and the cable then connects to the other end.  You unscrew a part from the middle to cut the power.

Seems like a good idea, and only costs

[WayneB]

I have a Hella battery cut out switch like Jimmy(key removes) I mounted it behind the R/H rear sidemarker (small hole through reflector part of light) When the key is removed, It is difficult to see mod. Had to make longer earth cable( wanted to mount switch in accesable position But in a way I can return to stock configuration without bodywork. The other type of dissconect is O.K. but you will have to open hatch to remove nut to operate dissconect (a drag) Clock is always wrong, (who cares?) but car always starts. Wont prevent car being stolen by Tow Truck though!

[Paul C]

A mate of mine suggested a "Dis-car-nect" - it's a widget that screws onto the battery terminal, and the cable then connects to the other end.  You unscrew a part from the middle to cut the power.

Seems like a good idea, and only costs

[scoule]

I've got one on my Excel, like Paul found, the little fuse thing is fine for keeping clock alive but drains the battery so pointless and not used.

It is also ideal for quickly disconnecting the battery when working on the electrics .. and also another small anti-theft hurdle.

No problems with it in 8 years.

[slade]

I've got one on my Excel, like Paul found, the little fuse thing is fine for keeping clock alive but drains the battery so pointless and not used.

It is also ideal for quickly disconnecting the battery when working on the electrics .. and also another small anti-theft hurdle.

No problems with it in 8 years.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

+1 I got mine... it's almost always off...

slade

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Why not just buy a trickle charger? You can even get solar powered ones now.

[madmezza]

Why not just buy a trickle charger? You can even get solar powered ones now.

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I've got a auto charger (with trickle), but the garage is 100 feet from the house and has no power. Solar powered one is a good idea, but to be honest I don't think it would last more than a week on top of the garage before someone nicked it!

Got myself a discarnect yesterday - haven't put it on yet, but will do tonight. I had the same thoughts as other people - forget the 16A fuse otherwise there's no point on putting it on for what I want it for (which is just to stop the battery draining). Besides, I'd probably keep forgetting and trying to start the car, and it would cost a fortune in fuses!!

The only thing I'm worried about now is the tailgate release cable snapping cause it will be used a lot to get to the battery (and I think it might be frayed now anyway ). Will put an emergency release cable on there somewhere...

Thanks for the info, everyone.

[madmezza]

Right - bit of feedback for everyone. I bought one of these (

[TSD]

Thanks for the update. I'm considering getting one to disable the battery when I work in the engine compartment.

as far as I know, the oil pump is mechanical. If the engine stops running, the oil circulation stops as well. There are some *expensive* aftermarket pre-oilers which can be pressurise the system before starting or can oil the turbo afterwards, but haven't heard of one being fitted to an esprit.

[scoule]

It says it's a universal fit, but the studs on the battery that I've got are just a bit too large, so I was using a spark-plug wrench and hammer to get the thing on, and I'm a bit worried that a few bumps and it might fall off (NOT GOOD!).

On the other end, as the clamp is used to a bigger stud, it had to be "overtightened" (there are 2 metal lugs which stop the clamp closing too far - I closed so these splayed out), and again it's not a perfect fit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did you fit it to the positive or negative terminal? They are different sizes, mine is fitted to the negative terminal and fits well.

Steve

[madmezza]

Ah, didn't think of that one. I'll have a look...

Seems like a good idea, actually, as there's a load of extra wires (apart from the main +ve cable) connected to the positive tag - it would be easier on the -ve one.

Will report back...

[Paul C]

Why not just buy a trickle charger? You can even get solar powered ones now.

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Got a trickle on the SE

Main reason i wanted to isolate the S3 was fear of electrical fire!