Mounting Battery Disconnect

[rekwiat]

I want to mount a battery disconnect on my 2012 Ford Focus toad. Any one have a pic of where you mounted yours?

[Dutch Star David]

Originally Posted by rekwiat

I want to mount a battery disconnect on my 2012 Ford Focus toad. Any one have a pic of where you mounted yours?

I just used to pop the negative cable off the terminal on my 2012 Explorer. Bad experience with a battery disconnect years ago left me stranded by the side of the road. Popping the cable off takes just a few seconds and is foolproof method.

[Belladog]

I've always installed the battery disconnect on the negative ( - ) post of the battery. If you install it on the positive ( + ) side ....when you lift the blade out of the contact and fold it back.... its " hot " and can be a hazzard. I like to leave the positive (+) side cable under the red rubber boot for protection. Just my thought.

[Bruce C]

Originally Posted by Belladog

I've always installed the battery disconnect on the negative post of the battery. If you install it on the positive side ....when you lift the blade out of the contact and fold it back its " hot " and can be a hazzard. I like to leave the + side cable under the red rubber boot for protection.

[Belladog]

If this helps any......its how I did it on my Honda Fit..........

[c_oneil]

I mounted a blade style like the previous poster's photo only I put it on the positive terminal. If you leave the ground connected to the battery you can run a charge wire to the hot side of the disconnect switch. The lever of the switch is on the cold side so there is no danger of grounding when it is the open position. I'll try to post a picture later today and give some better details.

[britcon]

I use the round knob " screw down " type connected to the neg. side on my Jeep Wrangler. Very simple to install / use.

[c_oneil]

This shows both the open and closed positions. The black plastic battery cover is off in the pictures but can still be put back on in either switch position. The red wire with a yellow crimp connector that is screwed onto the always hot side of the switch at the battery post clamp is a charge line from the coach battery and power for the aux brake. The big red battery cable is the factory cable clamped to the switched or sometimes cold side. You should be aware that these post clamp types of disconnects are designed to fit the negative battery post/clamp and not the positive. The postive post/clamp is a slightly larger diameter and you will need to do some modification to make them fit. I opened up the inside of the post clamp with some coarse emery cloth to fit the positive terminal post and I wrapped a copper shim around the post on the cold side of the switch to make it fit the factory positive battery cable clamp.

[Belladog]

c oneil....nice job.


I had a 2002 Wrangler I used as a toad ( years ago ) and wired in a 12V automatic disconnect solenoid with a dash mounted switch. It worked very well but it was costly.

[spritz]

Sorry,
But if you disconnect the battery what are you using to power your toads break lights and turn signals, running lights?

Tim

[Belladog]

spritz.....good question.


If you look at the pic I posted ....you will see a YELLOW inline fuse holder that I wired into the positive ( + ) side of the solenoid that feeds a extra 12V plug on the dash where I use to plug my brake buddy in.


As far as the lights .....you use the power from the coach to power up the toad lights.

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by spritz

Sorry,
But if you disconnect the battery what are you using to power your toads break lights and turn signals, running lights?

Tim

I'd think if your tow car is plugged in to the trailer/towing light connector, the motorhome is powering the lights.

[spritz]

Thanks I had a mental block.
Your correct I have the toads lights working along with the trailer and MH Duh. Thanks for not beaten me up to bad.....
Tim,

[rogerdodger]

Originally Posted by c_oneil

Attachment 113907 Attachment 113908
This shows both the open and closed positions. The black plastic battery cover is off in the pictures but can still be put back on in either switch position. The red wire with a yellow crimp connector that is screwed onto the always hot side of the switch at the battery post clamp is a charge line from the coach battery and power for the aux brake. The big red battery cable is the factory cable clamped to the switched or sometimes cold side. You should be aware that these post clamp types of disconnects are designed to fit the negative battery post/clamp and not the positive. The postive post/clamp is a slightly larger diameter and you will need to do some modification to make them fit. I opened up the inside of the post clamp with some coarse emery cloth to fit the positive terminal post and I wrapped a copper shim around the post on the cold side of the switch to make it fit the factory positive battery cable clamp.

Where did you find the knife switch with the extra screw terminal?