21 replies to this topic

[jmmini]

Hi all, I really need to fit a key type battery issolator because my battery drains overnight, I want to to be a feature on the interior too because they look quite 'sporty'. Where could it be because I am aware it cannot be too close to exhaust and how would I do it?

Cheers, Joel

Pics would be great!

[jamesmpi]

I've been toying with getting one of these....

http://item.mobilewe...nid=73259539082

I know it's not the type you want but is alot easier to fit!

Anyone use one of these? Are they any good?

[dklawson]

Before you consider this change, have you considered what is in your car that will become useless when this switch is installed? If you have a clock, it will stop when the switch is turned off. Likewise, a modern radio with programmable presets will lose its settings. When you get in the car at night there will be no courtesy light to help you find the battery switch.

If you are OK with that, and want to fit it anyway, you will probably want the switch visible and easily accessible. Inside the car this probably means making a bracket to suspend the switch below the dash. You will need to disconnect the the main battery feed at the starter solenoid and extend it so it can pass through a grommet (that you must install) in the firewall. You would then need a second length of cable (new) to return from the switch and connect to the solenoid terminal where you removed the firs wire. Most switches do not come with back-side insulators so you will likely need to make a neat cover to protect the bare threaded metal posts/terminals.

The type that James posted in his link work but of course... they are in the boot. The brass ones also have a reputation for falling apart after a while due to vibration. I don't mean unscrewing... I mean breaking. A less expensive alternative for a disconnect at the battery is to buy a marine battery cable clamp. They typically are small, made of lead, and have a threaded stud to receive the battery cable. A heavy wing nut secures the cable to the cable clamp.
The link below is for a marine battery terminal.
http://ecx.images-am...L500_AA300_.jpg

[jmmini]

It seems a lot if hastle having to screw that on every time... I would have the key type in the boot or one like James has put forward, my only concern with this would be a bad connection. Would it be easy to put a key type in the boot.

Also I have no clocks but I do a sound system, luckily I never listen to radio, just mp3s so that's ok. Which would you advise?

[jmmini]

http://item.mobilewe...nid=44343405992

This is the exact one, good price

[jamesmpi]

Personally speaking because I only use my mini on sunny days at weekends 90% of the time the battery is disconnected. So the negatives listed don't bother me too much.....but for a daily drive your points are very true. (although the clock on my dash runs slow even when connected to the battery)

My main reason for wanting one is that I have noticed a few of copper strands starting to break on my negative lead where I bend the cable away after disconnecting it. Using one of these negates the need to bend the cable. But I certainly don't want to buy one that falls apart. I've already been through the embarracement of having my car die on me at a set up lights because the battery lead has come off.....

[dklawson]

If you don't mind opening the boot to access the switch, then the type that JM posted the link for will work well for you.

[lrostoke]

Fitting this to one of ours, works a treat, its mounted inside the car in the center tunnel...just cut the main positive battery cable and fitted this switch

did involves drilling a hole in the tunnel.





http://www.vehicle-w...ns/battisol.php

[dklawson]

Nice one Steve!

[lrostoke]

glad of it recently as well, brother in laws car decided melt some of its wires, seems to have been a fault with the old single speed wiper motor...soon as he saw the smoke he disconnected the battery with this switch.

No idea why the fuse didn't blow.

Best of it is when we fitted a new motor and new partial loom we did manage blow the fuse ha ha

Edited by lrostoke, 29 June 2012 - 12:44 PM.

[jamesmpi]

Fitting this to one of ours, works a treat, its mounted inside the car in the center tunnel...just cut the main positive battery cable and fitted this switch

did involves drilling a hole in the tunnel.





http://www.vehicle-w...ns/battisol.php

That's a good one.....Humm tempting. Also is a good anti theft idea too

[freshairmini]

I'm surprised this question has not been asked:

Why is the battery draining over night?!

There must be something wrong in your charging system to cause this to happen as its not normal.

The battery could be old and not holding its charge, could be a loose belt on the alternator so its not charging properly, dodgy earth...etc

I would be wanting to find the source of the problem, not mask it.

[jmmini]

Yeah, I do need a new battery and I'm taking ghe car down to a freinds garrage soon, I have bad electrics though. For example, if the wipers dont work, touch in and around the fuse box and they do. I've change nearly every spade connector but I'm loosing hope, just seems easier to cut off the battery so it cannot drain away until I have the money to a good fix (only 18 years old on apprentice wages, could take a while) Plus I've been told a pugeot 306 battery is better and fits perfect, true?

[freshairmini]

it be best to check the charging system is all ok, instead of spending money, potentially, needlessly on a new battery when it could be some thing else. get a multimeter, or borrow one. check the voltages when charging and not, across battery to ascertain whether its good or bad.

re the fusebox, could be the box its self. they are always a bit iffy when old. have you tried cleaning the fuse holders?

[jmmini]

I'll clean the fuse box up in the morning then, also I have a multimeter but dont understand it, ill take readings tomorow and dictate then to you