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Battery cut of off switch?
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jsarge
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2022 2:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

I'm really late to this thread, but here's a solution I devised for myself about 4 years ago which I am still very happy with.
First I made a bracket to retain my 6V optima battery using the factory battery tie down straps. I designed in a cover on this to isolate the positive side from potential seat spring contact.
Next I used one of those Hella switches with the removable red t-handle. I built a spacer to mount this recessed under the seat, so that it was flush with the kick panel in the passenger compartment.
Not pictured, I subsequently re-worked the red key, using one of those star-like heater control knobs from an early bug, so it looks more like a factory feature when in use.

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blues90
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Since you have an alternator , if one of the diodes in the alt is faulty this will drain the battery.
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Roadbeater
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:53 am    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Here's a couple of better pictures of the battery terminals and the disconnect switch and how I wired them up. Battery is currently dead, and an alternator conversion is in store for this winter.


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nvmipis1
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

bad1916 wrote:
Absolutely. I have had a few customers cars that have had them and they work really well and are definitely easier than constantly removing the cable off the post, especially when the battery is under the seat. In a customers car we were getting a large spark but could see it until after we removed that.


Thanks for the feedback! 👍
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nvmipis1
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:50 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Clatter wrote:
Funny, this thread reminded me that i had one of these to go in.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1708934

I can say that it fits the Type3 with a bit of modification.
You'll have to be willing to grind away some of the embossed ribs in the kick panel.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I'm planning to pick up a couple of ring tongues off of the battery cable and run it to a Molex plug up thru the little gap between the tunnel and kick.
It will make a little pigtail that i can keep tucked under the carpet when the car is being driven.
I have the same mod done to a little trickle 'battery maintainer' to match, with a Molex plug, so you can just plug the charger in.
This is common with motorcycles.

The disconnect with the screw knob like Martin has, I have one on my bus.
Not a fan because they sometimes don't disconnect and sit there still making contact. BTDT.


That said, all of this is a band-aid for a discharge situation.
Fix the discharge problem; It will come back and bite you in the ass.

I speak from experience on that one.. Rolling Eyes


Thanks for the input! I already caused more harm then good trying to sort out the issues! 😣
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Clatter
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:21 am    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Funny, this thread reminded me that i had one of these to go in.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1708934

I can say that it fits the Type3 with a bit of modification.
You'll have to be willing to grind away some of the embossed ribs in the kick panel.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


I'm planning to pick up a couple of ring tongues off of the battery cable and run it to a Molex plug up thru the little gap between the tunnel and kick.
It will make a little pigtail that i can keep tucked under the carpet when the car is being driven.
I have the same mod done to a little trickle 'battery maintainer' to match, with a Molex plug, so you can just plug the charger in.
This is common with motorcycles.

The disconnect with the screw knob like Martin has, I have one on my bus.
Not a fan because they sometimes don't disconnect and sit there still making contact. BTDT.


That said, all of this is a band-aid for a discharge situation.
Fix the discharge problem; It will come back and bite you in the ass.

I speak from experience on that one.. Rolling Eyes
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bad1916
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:54 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Absolutely. I have had a few customers cars that have had them and they work really well and are definitely easier than constantly removing the cable off the post, especially when the battery is under the seat. In a customers car we were getting a large spark but could see it until after we removed that.
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ALLWAGONS
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

bad1916 wrote:
ALLWAGONS wrote:
I got tired of looking and testing every terminal and fuse, so I just purchased this $9.95 battery disconnect on Amazon and Voila! no more dead battery! 6V optima cranks every time!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The only reason that I don’t like those disconnects is that you never see if there is a spark when it makes contact. That’s something I always look for in case something has come loose or a rodent or something has chewed wiring.


I've had it for about a year, and haven't had any issues. I keep everything nice and tight. I know there is power when the dome light goes on and my clock ticks. I place a piece of plastic over the battery to prevent any type of short. I always watch for rodents in my garage.
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bad1916
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

ALLWAGONS wrote:
I got tired of looking and testing every terminal and fuse, so I just purchased this $9.95 battery disconnect on Amazon and Voila! no more dead battery! 6V optima cranks every time!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


The only reason that I don’t like those disconnects is that you never see if there is a spark when it makes contact. That’s something I always look for in case something has come loose or a rodent or something has chewed wiring.
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Roadbeater
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 5:37 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

It was hard to get a good picture, since it's tucked away for it's winter nap. but yes, it's just the jumpstart terminals (with covers) and then a shutoff switch on the driver's side. Makes for an easy theft proof too, since not many would look back there. I'll try to get a better picture, but it's back in the corner of the barn.
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nogoodwithusernames
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 12:01 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Roadbeater wrote:
I got tired of pulling up the seat to put a maintainer on mine, so I added terminals on the passenger side and a cutoff switch on the drivers side.




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I actually did similar though unfortunately my FLAPS only had the kind with the removable "key", ran it to the driver side to reach from the driver seat. I did not do extra lugs though. Every have anyone shock their legs? Laughing
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nvmipis1
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 10:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Roadbeater wrote:
I got tired of pulling up the seat to put a maintainer on mine, so I added terminals on the passenger side and a cutoff switch on the drivers side.




Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Never seen that before, do you have other images
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

I got tired of pulling up the seat to put a maintainer on mine, so I added terminals on the passenger side and a cutoff switch on the drivers side.




Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:12 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

jeffrey8164 wrote:
ALLWAGONS wrote:
I got tired of looking and testing every terminal and fuse, so I just purchased this $9.95 battery disconnect on Amazon and Voila! no more dead battery! 6V optima cranks every time!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


That’s the same one I’m using on my 71 Ghia.
My stereo, my USB port and my Bluetooth audio piece are all non-switched power so when I store it for a few weeks it’s nice to be able to disconnect it.


Wish I sent this route before I started chasing fuses, I'm still pissed about me braking that freaking light switch! 😠
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

ALLWAGONS wrote:
I got tired of looking and testing every terminal and fuse, so I just purchased this $9.95 battery disconnect on Amazon and Voila! no more dead battery! 6V optima cranks every time!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


That’s the same one I’m using on my 71 Ghia.
My stereo, my USB port and my Bluetooth audio piece are all non-switched power so when I store it for a few weeks it’s nice to be able to disconnect it.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:56 am    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Peters Van wrote:
your meter needs to be able to read current eg amps and millamps your pic shows you testing voltage which is no indication of current drain


I kind of just gave up, something is draining my battery, but i do not know what it is, it's not coming past the fuse box, and doing all this has caused me to damages my DARN light switch in the process. I ordered that coupler anyways, but i also got the disconnect from the battery, I'll do both and leave it at that.

Thank you for all your input and help.👍
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Peters Van
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:33 am    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

your meter needs to be able to read current eg amps and millamps your pic shows you testing voltage which is no indication of current drain
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:23 am    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

ALLWAGONS wrote:
Here you go! Even cheaper! I have one on my bus and on the square.

Just lift seat and turn ON power like a faucet!

https://www.amazon.com/CZC-AUTO-Disconnect-Isolato...mp;sr=8-15


Awesome!! Thank you! This freaking fast back has gone through 3 batteries in 3 years! I'm over it! And now it's cost me a freaking light switch, which I broke! Trying to crack this stupid electrical nonsense!
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ALLWAGONS
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:38 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

Here you go! Even cheaper! I have one on my bus and on the square.

Just lift seat and turn ON power like a faucet!

https://www.amazon.com/CZC-AUTO-Disconnect-Isolato...mp;sr=8-15
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nvmipis1
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Battery cut of off switch? Reply with quote

ALLWAGONS wrote:
I got tired of looking and testing every terminal and fuse, so I just purchased this $9.95 battery disconnect on Amazon and Voila! no more dead battery! 6V optima cranks every time!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Can you send me the link? Is it a pain? To constantly lift up the back seat or is it super easy disconnect?

Thanks
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