Isolating a Car Battery

[Ross365]

I’d like to be able to isolate the battery on a car that is not in frequent use. The problem is the slow discharge caused by the central locking and security circuits. I‘ve just bought this device.

I’ve used one of these before and found that it was a casting and it cracked, which is not what you want if you on the outside lane of the M40 in rush hour.

Any suggestions for good alternative ways of doing this?

 

[daedalusminos]

It's only slightly more trouble just to pull the terminal off.

 

[julianf]

You can get those rotational switches, sometimes with a key, but you would need space for it. I also think taking the terminal off is probably simplest.

 

[colnerov]

I’d like to be able to isolate the battery on a car that is not in frequent use. The problem is the slow discharge caused by the central locking and security circuits. I‘ve just bought this device.

View attachment 353561

I’ve used one of these before and found that it was a casting and it cracked, which is not what you want if you on the outside lane of the M40 in rush hour.

Any suggestions for good alternative ways of doing this?

Hi, I'd say you were just unlucky. At the airport there were close to 100+ vehicles that had those fitted and were never any problems.

Colin

 

[Ross365]

If the device is mechanically reliable, then I'd say that lifting the bonnet and turning the black knob half a turn to connect / disconnect is definitely that bit easier than getting out a spanner; especially in those inevitable situations when it's dark, blowing a blizzard and you need to make urgent progress as you've just cut your hand off with the angle grinder.

I've just fitted it; care is needed on the battery clamping section as you're asking the casting to bend; just a little, but enough to cause my previous one to break. The one that snapped was one I had several years ago and this one is made slightly differently and is from a different manufacturer.

I did think about a cut-off switch, but there's appreciably more work in installing one compared with just inserting this item.

 

[stuvy]

Battery Terminal Quick Release Pair

Battery Terminal Quick Release Pair ,

www.directpartssupply.co.uk

One of my older cars had this it worked fine and never had an issue

 

[brightspark]

i just fit one of these they use em on all the rally cars https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/non-...T6zhlySBM416ec3XHuYaApQJEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[mike os]

Motorsport switch? … simple reliable

 

[not done it yet]

Both my pogos have quick release over-centre terminal Connectors on the earth side. I thought they would be universal these days.

 

[bricol]

Battery Terminal Quick Release Pair

Battery Terminal Quick Release Pair ,

www.directpartssupply.co.uk

One of my older cars had this it worked fine and never had an issue

Yep, used those on various cars for 30 yrs ish with no problems.

French cars used to come with terminals with thumbwheels to easily and quickly isolate battery.

 

[MetalMonkey]

i just fit one of these they use em on all the rally cars https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/non-...T6zhlySBM416ec3XHuYaApQJEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

+1

Fitted these to landrovers, never had a problem.
If it can be located inside it will also be more convenient than lifting the bonnet.

 

[Gareth J]

If it's just to stop little drains, you might be able to just isolate the fuse box feed/s, with a simple toggle switch, in the glove box say. The big cable and corresponding huge isolater switch only needs to be that huge to cope with starter motor power and, to a lesser extent, the alternator. But they won't drain the battery so you could, keep the heavy stuff connected and switch the lighter, draining, bits

 

[Anguz]

Might need to feed the clock and the radio memory seperate?

 

[not done it yet]

Might be better to connect a float charger? Via what was the cigar lighter, if that is live with the ignition off? Batteries lose charge anyway, while standing - more so when the battery is getting on in its life-span.

I changed the battery in our diesel Pogo last autumn, because it was likely to fail if the car was left for a week or so. I used the old one to power my chinese diesel-fuelled air heater in my workshop. It’s been on float charge since January and uses very little energy to maintain it and power the heater controller.

Only recently I have disconnected the heater and the battery charger. I shall check how much energy it uses to charge it up in a few weeks time. It won’t be costing anything because I will only reconnect the charger when we have some solar gain. Every little bit of energy usage reduction is worthwhile, in my book.

 

[Ross365]

A float charger would be a good idea but the cigar lighter needs the ignition on. The idea of trying to mount some kind of a socket on the car for a trickle charger, would be good, but not quite sure how to hide it.

 

[Ruffian]

Cartech solid state with remote button.

This was can hide the remote button in the car and still isolate the battery without opening the bonnet etc.

Don't get me wrong it's not cheap,
But weighs next to nothing and is small.

 

[Nomad]

I used caravan battery clamps for many years, remove without tools using a toggle action.

Beware the radio might need a code when you reconnect, and modern car alarms go off if you disconnect the battery ( was n case car is being stolen)

 

[armalites]

Noco and CTEK both do connectors that you can permanently connect to your battery which means the charger can be plugged in quickly. Some can even be mounted externally.

Personally I just run an extension cord to the car, put the charger in the engine bay and shut the bonnet. The beauty of this method is the car is still fully secure and alarmed. You may need to knock and extension card if you only have the big reel types.

Obviously if you are parking on the road that isn't an option.

 

[Justme]

Solar charger on dash?

 

[mr haynes]

I've been using dashtop solar trickle chargers for a while for anything that sits.
Could be another option

edit: just beaten to it