Batery cut off switch

[Titleist16]

My friend wants to install a battery cut off switch in his 70 Camaro. He doesn't want to pay over $100 for one and he was thinking if he could use a ford starter solenoid. Does anybody know if a starter solenoid is able to withstand a constant supply of high amperage for a long period of time?

 

[fordconvert]

Why does he want such a thing? A theft deterrent? Or does he have a drain of some sort thats killing his battery?

I think the current draw would not be an issue since the largest draw is the starter and thats what they are made for. The issue may be that the coil is not rated to be on all the time.

 

[Anonymous]

if your wanting to use a solenoid
simple go to napa and ask a 100 amp forklift solenoid
i use them for dual battery setups all the time

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

i use a 100 amp solenoid rated for constant use, ordered from Grainger (industrial supply) and have found that the model they have has a service life of only a few months before they start acting up, not coming on every time. IIRC they are a White-rodgers series 120.
are the napa ones any better?
as for a starter solenoid, no, their coil can't handle continuous duty and will probably burn up in just a couple hours or less

 

[Lazy JW]

Check out www.buggiesunlimited.com for golf cart solenoids. They sell one that has silver contacts for best long-term use.
Joe

 

[Anonymous]

anything that have a multiple battery setup and runs off of batteries
uses constant duty solenoids i.e scissor lifts, golf carts,fork lifts, rv, etc.

and the ones ive used from napa have been used in 24 as well as 12 volt
dual battery and winch setups and still work years after install.

 

[Anonymous]

if he simply wants a on-off cut off switch, any marine dealeror acessory place would have them, cheap. i put one on all my boats.

 

[jamyers]

Go to your local parts house, and look in their books for a "continuous-duty battery relay".

They look like a Ford starter relay, only rated for being on for hours at a time. Aircraft, boats, and military vehicles use them on their Master Power on/off switches.

 

[Shrinkdude]

I just bought one from Harbor Freight for under $10 that has a 100 amp rating.

 

[hasa68mustang]

goto advance autoparts they have a switch rated at 300 amps (I work there and have one installed for my battery bank with my small system... lol

 

[kirkallen143]

Hey Tommy, I like Adv Auto, great bunch of folks. I knew you were allright in my book for some reason.

Just get the battery cut-off switch from Academy or any other Marine supply. 300 amp rating and they are only @ $20.00. I have one in the bronco due to the 35 year old wiring and a battery drain I get when it sets too long.

Kirk

 

[ludwig]

I have one in the bronco due to the 35 year old wiring and a battery drain I get when it sets too long.

Yay! A real world fix that makes sense. I used to just pull the battery lead off.

 

[woodbutcher]

For a simple,cheap and effective battery cutoff switch,a simple knife switch will serve for many trouble free years.
Leo

 

[ludwig]

Yeah, that would be a hot look too.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0Je5mnGLSJHr ... p%3Fpid=13

Get in the car, turn on the key, pump the gas and then look at your passenger as you throw the dash-mounted knife switch and cackle madly while you shout "It's alive, alive, I tell you!!!!"

 

[hasa68mustang]

Yeah, that would be a hot look too.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0Je5mnGLSJHr ... p%3Fpid=13

Get in the car, turn on the key, pump the gas and then look at your passenger as you throw the dash-mounted knife switch and cackle madly while you shout "It's alive, alive, I tell you!!!!"

LMAO! that awesome... that would be something to buy just to say you have or mock up even if it didnt work...

 

[jamyers]

Get in the car, turn on the key, pump the gas and then look at your passenger as you throw the dash-mounted knife switch and cackle madly while you shout "It's alive, alive, I tell you!!!!"

ROFL!

Better yet, get a double-pole double-throw one like this:
http://www.gatewayelex.com/switch_page8_F.htm

Then, you need some cool goggles and hair like this:

Then, when it doesn't start on the first try, you have to jump out and do this to the engine:

I can't work this pic in here but I like it anyway, so here:

 

[kirkallen143]

I have one in the bronco due to the 35 year old wiring and a battery drain I get when it sets too long.

Yay! A real world fix that makes sense. I used to just pull the battery lead off.

I got tired of trying to find the 1/2" open-end wrench that always seemed to be missing from my tool box. Was at the boat shop, saw the dissconnect and put two and two together :idea: :arrow: .

Kirk
ps. ludwig, that is too funny about the knife switch.