Master Battery Disconnect Switch Placement

[lts70]

I am going to install a Cole Hersee Master Battery Disconnect Switch 2484-A, in my 70 Chev. I was wondering if any one had advice as to placement of the shut off switch or pictures of where they put it so that it is convinent and out of site.

[SactoJim]

Here's where I placed mine. The hole with indentation was already there and it's right under the battery and easy to wire. I also turned my battery (side terminal) around so the terminals face the rad support....just made it look cleaner. I was a little concerned how hard it would be to reach when the grill was on, but it's no problem at all.

[big_al_71]

Wow I did mine the same exact way... I also turned the side post battery forward and ran my wires down thru the frame...Can't see my switch on this pict thou.

[Already Gone]

ttt

[rambler]

Originally Posted by SactoJim

Here's where I placed mine. The hole with indentation was already there and it's right under the battery and easy to wire. I also turned my battery (side terminal) around so the terminals face the rad support....just made it look cleaner. I was a little concerned how hard it would be to reach when the grill was on, but it's no problem at all.

thats a great place for it.. I was wondering if you had trouble reaching in the grill to disconnect the circuit.. awesome build thread as well by the way.

[lts70]

That looks like a great place to put it. Looks like I will need to buy a short 2' battery cable to go from the battery to the switch, then i can just hook my existing cable to the other side of the switch and I will be done. Thanks a bunch. Check your User CP at the top of the page I will leave you some rep. points.

[jaros44sr]

Been wondering the placement as well,thanks for the ideas, also turning the battery around to clean up the cables

[Longhorn Man]

hmmmm..I never in a million years woulda thought of turning the battery around.

[lts70]

If you had to give some one a jump or be jumped is it possible with the cables turned around? I guess if you left some slack in the battery cables you could pull the battery out enough to get the cables on. I think I might do the same. I just bought a battery that has both top and side posts but that would defeat the clean look. I will take it back tomorrow and exchange it for side only, good thing they forgot to punch out the date.

[69halfton]

maybe im just slow, but whats the point of the battery cut off.

i mean, they make us have them on the race cars, but thats so that the saftey guys can shut them off when you flip the thing over and there is gas all over the place.

whats to point of having one where you cant get to it really fast?
not trying to be mean, but just asking?

[lts70]

When my truck was a daily driver through the winter (was till this winter) I had no problems. When I decided to get a winter car this year and parked my truck I didn't think about unhooking my battery and now because of a draw some where my battery is gonzo. I decided to put the cut off on the truck so that I can just flip the battery off when I decide to park it for awhile. That way if there is a nice day i can just reach under and flip things on and be on my way.

[MellowYellow70]

I have a fiberglass rear roll pan and have the switch mounted there, as the battery is mounted in a rear box behind the right rear tire also. I did it that way 9 years ago and never got any grief from the NHRA track inspectors.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by MellowYellow70

I have a fiberglass rear roll pan and have the switch mounted there, as the battery is mounted in a rear box behind the right rear tire also. I did it that way 9 years ago and never got any grief from the NHRA track inspectors.

that is the exact way NHRA rules tell you to do it if I am reading that right.

I also agree with the "whats the point on a street car" comment.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by 69halfton

maybe im just slow, but whats the point of the battery cut off.

i mean, they make us have them on the race cars, but thats so that the saftey guys can shut them off when you flip the thing over and there is gas all over the place.

whats to point of having one where you cant get to it really fast?
not trying to be mean, but just asking?

Theft deterrence. You can't steal what you can't start.

[Already Gone]

I think the battery disconnect is a great theft deterrent but I have one question. Wouldn't you lose all your radio station and bass, treble etc. presets including the clock on the newer stereos we put in our trucks?

[Longhorn Man]

that feature is very easy to preserve. All it takes it a small wire on the battery side of the switch going to the radio.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Theft deterrence. You can't steal what you can't start.

I agree, but rollover is a possibility in the future of mine

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I think the battery disconnect is a great theft deterrent but I have one question. Wouldn't you lose all your radio station and bass, treble etc. presets including the clock on the newer stereos we put in our trucks?

problem solved before I even thought of the solution by LHM

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

that feature is very easy to preserve. All it takes it a small wire on the battery side of the switch going to the radio.

[big_al_71]

theft deterrent is one reason I added it, also I dont drive my truck sometimes for weeks at a time.
Originally I have a top terminal battery as you can see in the pict and the wires are ran straight down now I have a side post and you definetly dont see anything.

[LONGHAIR]

Some of the more expensive switches have "by-pass" terminals for radios, clocks, etc, built right into the housings. Some are also made to have the movable part of the switch removable like a key. This would make for a litttle more security if that is the goal.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Some of the more expensive switches have "by-pass" terminals for radios, clocks, etc, built right into the housings. Some are also made to have the movable part of the switch removable like a key. This would make for a litttle more security if that is the goal.

I have an NOS Lucas shut off switch, always wondered what that extra post was for...electrically challenged. Thanks for the info

I also popped off the E clip so I can remove the knob/shaft assembly

[70cst]

Thanks all...this is great info! That tip right there is worth the membership fee to me.

[lts70]

Got my switch installed last night. I had to drill a whole 2" to the left of where you guys put yours. That hole and indention you used is where my blinker wiring and grommet come through. All I had to do was run my original positive lead to one side of the switch and then I bought a 2' cable to go from the other side of the switch to the battery. I also ran a dedicated wire from that side to my radio to keep my settings.

I noticed that you can remove the turn lever on the switch as well that will help with keeping it more secure when I am out of town. Some would think it was a bit over kill but I say for around $30 it is money well spent. Helps save you battery if the truck has to sit for awhile and might even stop some ones hasty attempt to steal the truck. Or if you are working on your engine and need it shut off real quick all you have to do is reach down and switch her off.

[2bits]

Originally Posted by lts70

...you can remove the turn lever on the switch as well that will help with keeping it more secure

...if you are working on your engine and need it shut off real quick all you have to do is reach down and switch her off.

Two additional great ideas! Nice!

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by lts70

................. Some would think it was a bit over kill but I say for around $30 it is money well spent. Helps save you battery if the truck has to sit for awhile and might even stop some ones hasty attempt to steal the truck. Or if you are working on your engine and need it shut off real quick all you have to do is reach down and switch her off.

I personally believe anything you do to deter theft is worth the money. With the cost of orginal parts going through the roof and these trucks increasing in popularity, there's always a thief lurking around looking for the opportunity to strip them and sell the parts.

[texanidiot25]

So you guys are putting this on the positive side of the battery? When I thought about it, I was looking at the ground cable, but maybe that's because I run things off a fuse block already on the battery..

And what ones have the extra power lead?