Battery cut off switch
- Remyd
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 5:54 pm
- Forename: Remy
- Surname: Dubois
- MGCC Member: Yes
- MGOC Member: Yes
- Location: Buckingham
Battery cut off switch
Fitted a battery cut off switch and new battery to the mg today. Pretty straight forward and easy job even for a newbie like me. Planned the work in my head well in advance and it was plain sailing.
Remy Dubois
1971 MGB GT
1971 MGB GT
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- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 4:55 pm
- Forename: Dave
- Surname: Wheatley
- Location: SW Scotland
Re: Battery cut off switch
Well done. I've had trouble for a few months now with battery going flat after a few days standing. I would want my cut off switch to be more accessible though. Blooming daft place to site a battery when there is plenty of room under the bonnet!
Isuspect my flat battery problem could be my cheap and nasty radio with the memory live wire.
Isuspect my flat battery problem could be my cheap and nasty radio with the memory live wire.
1978 MGB GT
1967 Morris Minor convertible
1972 Ford Cortina
2000 Mercedese Benz SLK 230K
No modern!
1967 Morris Minor convertible
1972 Ford Cortina
2000 Mercedese Benz SLK 230K
No modern!
Re: Battery cut off switch
Dave, my cutoff switch on my BGT is on the bulkhead just behind the passenger seat. Easy to reach from the driving seat. It interrupts the negative earth cable so is very easy to fit.
Ian F
Ian F
MGCC member
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
- Tom Brearley
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 6:54 pm
- Forename: Tom
- Surname: Brearley
- MGCC Member: Yes
- Location: Devon
Re: Battery cut off switch
A really good mod for working in the electrical system, and also handy as an immobiliser if the switch is the removable 'key' type. You just need to be aware if you have passengers in the rear, or any bags stowed behind the seats, that the switch might accidentally get knocked, killing the ignition! Guess how I know...
1973 MGB GT
Mallard Green / Autumn Leaf
Mallard Green / Autumn Leaf
Re: Battery cut off switch
Also kills the alternator if the engine is running when the battery is disconnected!!
Ian F
Ian F
MGCC member
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
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- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 4:55 pm
- Forename: Dave
- Surname: Wheatley
- Location: SW Scotland
Re: Battery cut off switch
Thanks Ian and Tom.
I think fitting the key type switch should solve the accidental switch off problem.
Ian how did you route the negative cable to your cutoff switch? On my car, single 12v type, the negative terminal is towards the rear of the battery "box".
I think fitting the key type switch should solve the accidental switch off problem.
Ian how did you route the negative cable to your cutoff switch? On my car, single 12v type, the negative terminal is towards the rear of the battery "box".
1978 MGB GT
1967 Morris Minor convertible
1972 Ford Cortina
2000 Mercedese Benz SLK 230K
No modern!
1967 Morris Minor convertible
1972 Ford Cortina
2000 Mercedese Benz SLK 230K
No modern!
- B Faiers
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2014 5:38 pm
- Forename: Barry
- Surname: Faiers
- MGCC Member: Yes
- MGOC Member: Yes
- Location: Essex
Re: Battery cut off switch
Just a quick warning.... If the switch is the red removable 'T' shape key type.
Be aware that the plastic key is not hard wearing and after some time the end will wear/compress and not have enough length to push the contacts in the switch together. I cured the problem with a self tapping screw in the end of the key, but not something you want to be doing on a cold dark night. The other altenative is a muti-jointed passenger who can reach behind the seats to push and hold the key in place whilst you drive
My final solution was to buy a better quality switch with a non-removable key. As the twist switch is black it hardly shows against the black carpet so is not obvious to the casual observer.
Be aware that the plastic key is not hard wearing and after some time the end will wear/compress and not have enough length to push the contacts in the switch together. I cured the problem with a self tapping screw in the end of the key, but not something you want to be doing on a cold dark night. The other altenative is a muti-jointed passenger who can reach behind the seats to push and hold the key in place whilst you drive
My final solution was to buy a better quality switch with a non-removable key. As the twist switch is black it hardly shows against the black carpet so is not obvious to the casual observer.
1958 MGA Coupe
1926 MG 14/28 Bullnose
2023 MG HS Exclusive
2003 MG ZS180
1926 MG 14/28 Bullnose
2023 MG HS Exclusive
2003 MG ZS180
Re: Battery cut off switch
Dave, this is what I did:
1. Remove original cable from battery to earth
2. Buy new cable with two ring ends. Make sure it is long enough to reach from original earth point to battery switch.
3. Assuming the battery switch has two posts with nuts, as I believe they all are, attach original earth cable from battery negative to switch post (it will probably require a different orientation).
4. Attach new cable from original earth to switch.
5. Hole in the rear bulkhead requires to be in location giving space for switch body in battery box, behind passenger seat. Key sits conveniently to hand behind seat.
I have the two 6 volt batteries, so you may need longer cables?
Ian F
1. Remove original cable from battery to earth
2. Buy new cable with two ring ends. Make sure it is long enough to reach from original earth point to battery switch.
3. Assuming the battery switch has two posts with nuts, as I believe they all are, attach original earth cable from battery negative to switch post (it will probably require a different orientation).
4. Attach new cable from original earth to switch.
5. Hole in the rear bulkhead requires to be in location giving space for switch body in battery box, behind passenger seat. Key sits conveniently to hand behind seat.
I have the two 6 volt batteries, so you may need longer cables?
Ian F
MGCC member
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
Re: Battery cut off switch
I have these red keys in my BGT and Midget (and in other cars I've owned). Never noticed any wear at all and I disconnect whenever parked.B Faiers wrote: ↑Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:56 am Just a quick warning.... If the switch is the red removable 'T' shape key type.
Be aware that the plastic key is not hard wearing and after some time the end will wear/compress and not have enough length to push the contacts in the switch together. I cured the problem with a self tapping screw in the end of the key, but not something you want to be doing on a cold dark night. The other altenative is a muti-jointed passenger who can reach behind the seats to push and hold the key in place whilst you drive
My final solution was to buy a better quality switch with a non-removable key. As the twist switch is black it hardly shows against the black carpet so is not obvious to the casual observer.
Ian F
MGCC member
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
1972 BGT, Blaze, Navy trim, recessed grill
1961 Midget, 948cc, Clipper Blue, Blue trim and weather gear
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- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 4:55 pm
- Forename: Dave
- Surname: Wheatley
- Location: SW Scotland
Re: Battery cut off switch
Ta for the tip B Faiers!
Thanks Ian, it was how you got the cable through the bulkhead that I was wondering. Thought there might have been an existing hole!
While we are on about batteries, does anybody else have trouble undoing the lid "screws"? As I undo say the third screw, I find that at least 1 screw that I have undone has done itself up again. Very exasperating, and the last one has always seized up anyway. I am tempted to cut the screws off, and install large self tappers.
Edit. Is there a name for the lid screws? Polite answers only please!
Thanks Ian, it was how you got the cable through the bulkhead that I was wondering. Thought there might have been an existing hole!
While we are on about batteries, does anybody else have trouble undoing the lid "screws"? As I undo say the third screw, I find that at least 1 screw that I have undone has done itself up again. Very exasperating, and the last one has always seized up anyway. I am tempted to cut the screws off, and install large self tappers.
Edit. Is there a name for the lid screws? Polite answers only please!
1978 MGB GT
1967 Morris Minor convertible
1972 Ford Cortina
2000 Mercedese Benz SLK 230K
No modern!
1967 Morris Minor convertible
1972 Ford Cortina
2000 Mercedese Benz SLK 230K
No modern!