Installing battery switch

irishguy19772

Hi,

I got a battery kill switch that I was hoping to install on an old Massey Ferguson we have on farm. It is the one with the switch on top that you can turn on/off.

I have 2 leads got. Our negative lead runs to body of tractor and I was going to put breaker in between. See pic.

Any advice on best thing to use that I could bolt on to side of tractor. Was hoping something that would keeps leads dry and have switch on like a small box

Thanks for any advice.

irishguy19772

Side pic attached

patsy_mccabe

Isolator switches go on the negative (earth) terminal. I guess the reason is to stop it sparking when you open the contact, as it would do if put on the positive.
A battery can't drain if the earth is disconnected.

emaherx

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Isolator switches go on the negative (earth) terminal. I guess the reason is to stop it sparking when you open the contact, as it would do if put on the positive.
A battery can't drain if the earth is disconnected.

It also offers better isolation for safety as with isolator on positive lead a fault between positive on battery and switch would not be isolated by turning off switch.

irishguy19772

Thanks. Do I snip the existing wire or just use the spare lead I have to separate the negative lead in 2 with the switch in the middle.

emaherx

irishguy19772 wrote: »

Thanks. Do I snip the existing wire or just use the spare lead I have to separate the negative lead in 2 with the switch in the middle.

If I were you I'd use a second lead and bolt it to the engine block if possible rather than that panel for a more reliable earth connection closer to the starter.

orm0nd

emaherx wrote: »

It also offers better isolation for safety as with isolator on positive lead a fault between positive on battery and switch would not be isolated by turning off switch.

+1

I'm suprised the number of times I've seen it advised to put on the + lead.

I actually got a week's ban on this forum for contradicting a mod who was talking through his rear end.

irishguy19772

Do I just leave it hanging between leads or what can I use to mount it to the body?

K.G.

orm0nd wrote: »

+1

I'm suprised the number of times I've seen it advised to put on the + lead.

I actually got a week's ban on this forum for contradicting a mod who was talking through his rear end.

There is a train of thought that in seaside areas you should put it onthe positive as the the power to the connections makes them act like anodes in the salty air which could lead to deterioration

Jb1989

K.G. wrote: »

There is a train of thought that in seaside areas you should put it onthe positive as the the power to the connections makes them act like anodes in the salty air which could lead to deterioration

Anything to be said for an isolator on both cables to rule all out?

zetecescort

irishguy19772 wrote: »

Do I just leave it hanging between leads or what can I use to mount it to the body?

Is the side cover by the battery left off all the time? Can you mount it on the plate where the original earth lead bolts to?

phelixoflaherty

Excuse my ignorance, but why the necessity for the switch?
Is the tractor a fire hazard without one?
Thanks

Jb1989

phelixoflaherty wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance, but why the necessity for the switch?
Is the tractor a fire hazard without one?
Thanks

Anything with a battery is a hazzord tbf, but older tractors are the most prone. It's a good prevention.

Say my name

phelixoflaherty wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance, but why the necessity for the switch?
Is the tractor a fire hazard without one?
Thanks

If your tractor has a wire stripped anywhere or whatever device corroded it stops the battery draining.

It's a good idea if you don't use your tractor regularly to disconnect the battery or have a kill switch/knob/lever.

K.G.

Jb1989 wrote: »

Anything to be said for an isolator on both cables to rule all out?

Well i suppose you are 99 % of the way with on the positive anyway so on the 2 is over kill.

irishguy19772

Yeah side cover is off permanently. I can try mount it to the side plate somehow. I was wondering if I should have it covered somehow.

Mississippi.

Jb1989 wrote: »

Anything to be said for an isolator on both cables to rule all out?

Did any of you ever see it done like with the leads on battery forklift charging connectors?

At least you could tell at a glance if it's disconnected or not

Jb1989

Mississippi. wrote: »

Did any of you ever see it done like with the leads on battery forklift charging connectors?

At least you could tell at a glance if it's disconnected or not

With the flip connectors on the battery terminals is it?

Mississippi.

Jb1989 wrote: »

With the flip connectors on the battery terminals is it?

No, it's a flat two pin plug design.
When you are charging the battery you unplug the forklift lead from the battery and plug in the charger to the battery.

Jb1989

Mississippi. wrote: »

No, it's a flat two pin plug design.
When you are charging the battery you unplug the forklift lead from the battery and plug in the charger to the battery.

Oh ok. I'm not familiar with it anyway

Mississippi.

https://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/battery-connectors/7181446/

148multi

Mississippi. wrote: »

https://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/battery-connectors/7181446/

Think their called an Anderson connector.

148multi

Jb1989 wrote: »

Anything to be said for an isolator on both cables to rule all out?

I think it should be put on the negative lead, wire can't short without an earth.
You can mount switch somewhere convenient.