14 replies to this topic

[.Adam.]

Should be collecting my first VXT in the near future, and one of the first things I want to do is fit a battery cut off switch to the car. I have to rent a garage, so no way of getting power to the car for a trickle charger. With my Westie I just disconnected the battery, which only took a couple of minutes, but it doesn't look as easy to get to on the VX. So, has anyone fitted a switch, and if so, where did you put it? Thinking of something like this, so hopefully the radio doesn't have to be reprogrammed every time, although if the radio is enough to drain the battery then I'll use the switch to cut all power http://www.halfords....tegoryId_255205

[VX Mark]

When I leave mine for a few weeks I keep a 10mm spanner handy.

• Pull the washer bottle out (leave the pump connected)
• Reach down and undo the securing bolts
• Pull the lead/leads off, then tape or cover up (or both)
• Place washer bottle on top battery (no need to fit properly due to terminal leads potentially being in the way.

Not quite as convenient as a cut off switch but does the job and doesn’t cost anything.

[Baron Von Scubadaddy]

I have this fitted to mine and it saves me no end of trouble mine is parked up in my garage with no power and I have suffered dead batteries and then funcked ecu when tried to jump start a must I would say !!

[CKR]

I too was looking at this mod only weekend! I decided I'll try out the solar panel trickle charger on the roof of the garage first and see if that would maintain enough charge in the battery.

[Tony]

Solar panel worked well on my Sierra when it was stored in a no power garage. Didn't have an alarm to drain it though

Edited by Tony, 12 January 2013 - 04:52 PM.

[.Adam.]

I have this fitted to mine and it saves me no end of trouble
mine is parked up in my garage with no power and I have suffered
dead batteries and then funcked ecu when tried to jump start
a must I would say !!

Where did you fit it? Haven't got my car yet so can't go and look myself!

Do you all have the connection to keep the radio settings?

Edited by .adam., 12 January 2013 - 06:14 PM.

[Tony]

Hi Adam, May be totally wrong and expect , but the things that drain the battery over weeks, are the alarm, and the radio, live feed. if you bypass the switch to keep the radio live feed intact then the battery will still drain. By putting the fused bypass in place, all electrical circuts will still be available.The only thing that the switch will control is the high current circuit to the starter motor, trying to start the car will blow the fuse.

[christhegasman]

Hi Adam,
May be totally wrong and expect :poke:/> , but the things that drain the battery over weeks, are the alarm, and the radio, live feed.

if you bypass the switch to keep the radio live feed intact then the battery will still drain. By putting the fused bypass in place, all electrical circuts will still be available.The only thing that the switch will control is the high current circuit to the starter motor, trying to start the car will blow the fuse.

i was thinking similar as I have a 2 week battery life but thought fitting a switch that you then bypass makes it a but more of an anti theft set up than battery saver

[Sutol]

Try a http://www.amazon.co...words=discarnet

[CocoPops]

Try a http://www.amazon.co...-keywords=discarnet

They are for theft protection as I understand it chris.
Ie you disconnect it, leaving a small fuse in place which keeps alarm powered etc but would blow if the car was started as the starter motor would trip the fuse.

[christhegasman]

Try a http://www.amazon.co...-keywords=discarnet

They are for theft protection as I understand it chris.
Ie you disconnect it, leaving a small fuse in place which keeps alarm powered etc but would blow if the car was started as the starter motor would trip the fuse.

that's my thought as well just wanted to clarify to the op that this is not likely to solve a battery drain problem

[Sutol]

Just leave out the by pass fuse and if you want you can completely unscrew the knob and put it in your pocket. The car will have no power not even to the alarm that's what the bypass fuse is for. Eta/a couple of turns off the knob will disconnect the battery

Edited by Sutol, 13 January 2013 - 08:54 PM.

[turbobob]

Good luck with finding 300+ amp rated switch that will take something like 30mm cabling. Solar trickle charger or just disconnect the battery.

[turbobob]

It seems they are available. Just seen on on amazon for about £8. Just Google battery cut off switch. Personally I wouldn't want to do this. I suspect the switch contacts will give up in a not too long a time.

[Sutol]

Bob, I've used these and i know a lot of people who have used both, very common amongst classic car owners, they work fine. My only criticism is that you have to pull the washer bottle each time anyway, it just saves you the 10mm spannering.