Battery cut off/kill switch

[magFJ60]

I've searched through a few threads about theft protection, and most people have mentioned a battery cut off switch or gas cut off switch. I'll admit I'm horrible with electrical/wiring modifications (I had someone else wire my lights after I installed them). Where can I buy/make a cheap contraption with an in-cab switch to disable the battery or gas if I have to leave my car somewhere "undesirable"? How difficult could this get for an electrical retard(me)?

Michael

 

[Fourrunner]

Kill Switch

I think it would be super easy to get a switch that kills the coil. Put it in-line so you cut the circuit. That is my plan...

 

[zcruiser]

Here's one from batterymart.com



"The 41860 is not for use with vehicles with full time power on demand computers or vehicles with thermostatic controlled cooling fans"

 

[In2cruisers]

If you have a Harbor Freight in your area, they sell them and you might get lucky and they will be on sale...............paid $2.99 for my cut off switch


Good luck...............Its a 1 banana job

 

[magFJ60]

If you have a Harbor Freight in your area, they sell them and you might get lucky and they will be on sale...............paid $2.99 for my cut off switch


Good luck...............Its a 1 banana job

I got a harbor freight. Can you take a picture of your setup for me? As I said before, I am pretty much a 5 year old when it comes to wiring stuff. If you could give me some details (do I just have to wire it in? do I need to purchase any new wires? etc), I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[zcruiser]

You can get the pre-made battery cables from Autozone or someplace like that. Just disconnect your cables from the + terminal connector and "splice" in the switch with the battery extension cables. Yah gotta put it someplace hidden/secure or the thieves will just "unsplice" it, which begs for long extension cables which means they should be fairly beefy (like 2 ga) so you don't create a voltage drop.

You should check all these new connections regularly so they don't loosen up or corrode on you and introduce new problems into an otherwise working system.

 

[Mike S]

I would use a continous duty 200 amp solenoid (relay) that is operated by low amp current switched from the passenger compartment. This is a very simple arrangment, fool proof and requires minumum wiring changes. And no high amp wire extensions.

M

 

[bridges]

discrete way to do this with details

http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_0059/printArticle.html

Thought this was a good idea, haven't tried it yet but plan to soon.

 

[magFJ60]

http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_0059/printArticle.html

Thought this was a good idea, haven't tried it yet but plan to soon.

That's an interesting idea. Thats exactly the kind of stuff I'm looking for...diagrams, easy directions, parts lists, etc.

Mike, your idea sounds good, but I have no idea what any of those things are or where I would go about getting them. It's sad because I'm studying engineering and I suck at electrical things (I'm taking the basic required EE classes for my major this fall) so hopefully I'll survive the classes

 

[dogboy2]

Hey magFJ60,

If you are studying engineering, you're probably a very logical thinker. The electrical stuff is nothing more than a very logical, progressive, sequential,"if-then" relationship. I bet you bucks that you will find it very easy once you start messing with it.

Here's a good resource that I have found invaluable:
"Managing 12 Volts: How To Upgrade, Operate and Troubleshoot 12 Volt Electrical Systems" by Harold Barre; 2nd Edition; ©2002 Summer Breeze Publishing, Alameda, California

Here are some part resources:
http://www.partsexpress.com/
http://www.wranglernw.com/
http://www.bluesea.com/default.asp
http://www.painlessperformance.com/

Get yourself a copy and a decent multi-meter and dive in - I'm sure you'll do just fine

HTH,
-dogboy- '87 FJ60