Battery Cutoff Switch (1 Viewer)

[Alpine4X4]

I tried doing a search as I assume this has been covered here, but nothing comes up.

Looking for under the hood battery cutoff switched to serve two purposes;

Prevent battery drain from phantom circuits.

Anti-theft device (yes, I know not full proof)

I've seen car collectors install these in classic cars before.

Here's my experience. I had to install two-way radio's, and other electronic equipment (mapping) in Polaris side-by-sides at work. I was a Communications Tech, and also served in the military working on aircraft (avionics), and ground support and test equipment.

I found at NAPA some battery cutoff switches that had a removable T-handle key. Supposed to be for under-hood applications. Damn things were intermittent (made in China), and wouldn't work half the time.

Looking at Marine Grade switches, assuming they would be a higher quality, probably even water proof, if not just more water resistant than those made for automotive applications?

Unfortunately, every dealer and distributor I contact can't give me a good answer to where they are manufactured. I'm trying to avoid made in China crap. Would prefer something made in USA, Japan, or Europe.

Anyone here have experience with a good quality unit?

Thanks in advance, here's a link to some of the Marine Grade switches:

Battery Switches | Battery Selector and Shutoff Switches | West Marine

Shop boat battery switches at West Marine including selector switches, remote switches, multiple position switches and more. Visit for reviews and deals!

www.westmarine.com

 

[e9999]

Don't know a lot about this, but seems to me that you may be better off tackling each task separately. Get a good beefy switch for the battery cutoff and then -since you are an expert already in electronics- rig a little hidden switch someplace to prevent engine start, either manual or radio.
I have some Blue Sea big switches, they seem of fine quality. I have seen some T-handle affairs, saying they are not bypass-proof is being generous. I imagine all are made in China.

 

[peesalot]

Tried the PICO, same exp. - crappy, insides rot and fail. Searched, found some race car stuff rated for higher amps ( Moroso ) with better case and insides, currently still running under hood where PICO failed. You have 2 choices, a mech. device such as above or a relay, which requires 12v to activate so not a true cut off as the trigger switch has to be always hot, anyway the relay style come in higher ratings than the mech. except for the Moroso I found AFAIK. The relay set ups are more costly as well. I like the mech cause if it fails its an easy fix.

 

[spressomon]

I've had the Blue Sea switch, per your link, mounted in the engine bay of my '07 HD2500 to allow cut-off of current flow to a LFP battery I have mounted in the bed (so not to send current to the battery when the battery is at/below 32F) and its held up great the past 4-years.

 

[jellis]

Hmmm.... What do they use as the master switch on the floor of fire trucks? Those always work.

 

[peesalot]

Hmmm, who knows ? maybe share ?

 

[george_tlc]

I've seen Perko (made in US) in some emergency vehicles ...

cheers,
george.

 

[aztoyman]

Would these work for you? Battery Master Switches – Cole Hersee - https://www.colehersee.com.au/switches/battery-master-switches/

 

[Alpine4X4]

Would these work for you? Battery Master Switches – Cole Hersee - https://www.colehersee.com.au/switches/battery-master-switches/

I really like that 880175 – TR Series switch. Is it manufactured in Australia?

 

[aztoyman]

I had no idea. I always thought this brand was made in U.S.A. Caterpillar master switches are pretty bullet proof and I could have sworn they said U.S.A on them back when I worked at a Cat dealership. I have had or seen MANY Cole Hersee switches in mining and construction as well as general automotive switches. They were always quality parts.

Looks like it changed hands https://investor.littelfuse.com/new...use-announces-acquisition-cole-hersee-company

 

[peesalot]

Thats who Moroso has make their switches, good stuff.

 

[PeterTheBeater]

You can do something like was done on Project Binky
at 11:30min
Otherwise blue sea products are excellent.

 

[Darasick]

Have you looked at the disconnects from Flaming River? They are made in the US.

 

[John McVicker]

I also use the Flaming River Cut Off. Mine also has the ability to lock it on/off with a padlock.

 

[jaymar]

Slee uses some kind of giant rotary switch under the hood. Google it, you should find a photo...

 

[scrapdaddy]

I also use the flaming River, the padlock lock feature gives an added bit of security.

 

[ntsqd]

In general when I need something electrical that is robust I start with deep water marine suppliers like PKYS.

I use either Blue Sea Systems or BEP Marine battery switches. Current project truck has Blue Sea combiner switch and a simple on/off switch for the winch.
The lines between the two companies get a little blurred because Blue Sea sells some of the BEP product under their own label. Pic of the combiner switch installed. The cable going over the A/C line has since been moved to under it.

 

[FJmaine]

Has anyone put the disconnect switch in the cab? I would live to see some pictures! I am wiring an 8274 with the gigglepin solenoids in the engine bay. I want to add a power disconnect, but I want quick access to it.

 

[ntsqd]

Downside to that is that the cables get long, which incurs a greater voltage drop when things get hot.

And you're passing all of that capacity for carnage thru a sheet metal panel, twice. I've no idea what ampacity these are rated for, but I used two of them (they used to come in black and red) on my '65 Valiant's remote battery conversion to go thru the firewall.