Battery shut-off

Rene R

Rene R

Member
I want to install a shut-off knob between the battery and the starter so that motor doesn't remain 'live' all the time. I know I simply mount one to a battery post but if possible I'd rather put it someplace easily accessible. Can anyone offer advice on just what I'd need, and where I could easily mount one, in a 1928 Fordor?
 
I have put mine direct on the front side off my 4 door seat frame . Not visible for others ( thief's etc ) Most fires start either while driving or at start up. Both times you are in the car. With a easy reach between your legs its on or off.

I should have written " front seat riser "
 
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The seat frame on the Fordor is pretty thick; I fear it would be hard to mount.

Showing my mechanical ignorance (which is a pity for a car nut like me), I was checking out Bratton's catalog and can't quite figure out their mounting suggestion. They have this handy disconnect, number 20190:

20190.jpg


The recommend using this special bracket (number 20170) to attach to the lower starter motor to flywheel bolt:

20170.jpg


Then use cables 20160 and 20180 to connect to the battery and on to the starter. All well and good, but I can't quite picture how the disconnect switch mounts to the bracket.

Ideally I really would prefer to have it somewhere inside the cabin, not under the hood, but I want to keep this simple.

And being as I'm a simpleton (it's okay, I accept the fact), if anyone has pictures or diagrams it would help my feeble old brain wrap around it.
 
There is a screw that holds the switch handle in place, if you remove the screw then you can remove the handle and one of the nuts and slide the bracket over the threads and replace the top nut and the switch handle
 
I have mounted a couple in the seat risers in pickups.Out of sight,and the owners did not care about boring a hole in the riser.That is a very important issue for some,they don't want to drill into the original metal.I'm not familiar with the Fordor seat riser,so I'm not sure if it is feasible to do it that way.That same switch is made with a long shank on it too,and they can go through an inch and a half wall.They are listed in the Cole-Hersey catalog.Please,stay away from those plastic ones with the red key.I have first hand experience with those burning up machinery,more than once.The one you have pictured is the good one.I always switch the ground side,if you switch the hot side you still have juice from the battery to the switch,with numerous places to chafe and short.If you feel you have to switch the hot side you can mount it on the firewall above the starter pedal.You can kick it on and off with your toe.That involves drilling a hole in the firewall,which may or may not be important to you.If you mount under the hood the best place is where Brent suggested,that switch takes some torque to snap it on and off.The motor mount is plenty rigid and will hold it safely.I have seen that little bracket used,to run that switch the bracket will bend when switching.Then,when in use the switch and bracket wiggles so much I feel it won't be long before the bracket snaps dropping the cables down onto the frame or motor mount.I saw one mounted right through the floorboard with just the lever sticking up through the mat.To take out the floorboard the switch had to be dropped,but it takes less than a minute to unscrew the big nut and let it drop.
 
This is where I mounted mine, the switch is a Cat master switch. It is easy for me to get to while seated. PM me if you have any questions.
 

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You can cut a rectangular hole in the front of the seat rizer, then install a cover plate over the hole with the cut-off switch installed in the plate. That way the switch is accessable under the lip of the front seat, but hidden, and the main switch body is under the seat. Protect any wiring to the switch passing through metal with gromets or chinks of rubber hose.
 
I am very pleased with my switch like the one illustrated by Rene, mounted a few inches above the starter button so I can kick it on and off with my foot.
I set it up like Meathead who said "Right-On" so I remember which way is on and off.
Its Sooooo easy to use.,
 
I just installed one today in my sport coupe. I put it on the front of the seat riser and switched the ground. It works great and is super convenient. There is a pretty good description of this in the 2nd Les Andrews book.
 
Rene R said:
The seat frame on the Fordor is pretty thick; I fear it would be hard to mount.

Showing my mechanical ignorance (which is a pity for a car nut like me), I was checking out Bratton's catalog and can't quite figure out their mounting suggestion. They have this handy disconnect, number 20190:

20190.jpg


The recommend using this special bracket (number 20170) to attach to the lower starter motor to flywheel bolt:

20170.jpg


Then use cables 20160 and 20180 to connect to the battery and on to the starter. All well and good, but I can't quite picture how the disconnect switch mounts to the bracket.

Ideally I really would prefer to have it somewhere inside the cabin, not under the hood, but I want to keep this simple.

And being as I'm a simpleton (it's okay, I accept the fact), if anyone has pictures or diagrams it would help my feeble old brain wrap around it.
Click to expand...

I installed this setup just like you describe. Yes you do need to open the hood to turn it on/off but so far it has not been that much of a problem. I open the hood clamps to turn it off, leave the clamps off until the next time I run the rig and this makes it easer to use. Works great.
 
Fred K-OR said:
I installed this setup just like you describe. Yes you do need to open the hood to turn it on/off but so far it has not been that much of a problem. I open the hood clamps to turn it off, leave the clamps off until the next time I run the rig and this makes it easer to use. Works great.
Click to expand...

Here is a shot of what it looks like:

switch3.jpg
 
I like to keep it simple, no parts to buy except the cut off sw. no drilling, use your org. cables ;).
 

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As a followup, I ordered a kit from Bratton's and got it this morning. It's a neat, quick, and easy hookup that works beautifully. At $50 for the switch, bracket, and new cables it's cheap insurance. I plan to keep it shut down whenever it's parked in the garage. I should have done this years ago.
 

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