battery cutoff/ isolation swtich

cb in wisc · Sep 15, 2012

Does anyone use one of these switches? How did you hook it up? On the positive side of the battery or negative? How or where did you mount the switch on the tractor?

Janicholson · Sep 15, 2012

Either is fine. Putting it where the mounting is secure, and it is not hanging out in the breeze is best. I like the type with the removable "key" that effectively locks the tractor. Jim

old popper · Sep 15, 2012

I have one on my 720 Diesel just to keep kids at shows from turning on the switch and frying those High Dollar coils in the pony motor distributor. Mine is a simple knife switch on the neg battery post (6 V positive grd). Works well for me, open the switch, and replace the seat cushion and it is protected.

farmer boy · Sep 15, 2012

I put one on the Allis Chalmers 200. I punched a hole in the front of the battery box and mounted it in there. It cuts off the negative side. It's was much easier because the negative battery cable is connected to the chassis right beside the battery box. I used Dorman part #85988

David G · Sep 15, 2012

I do not see the need for one, especially if you have a key switch.

bison · Sep 15, 2012

Belarus has factory cutoff switches in the cab on most of it's model tractors.
They're hooked up to the neg batt post,the switch body provides the ground.
I bought a couple of these switches(only $20 or so) for use on my other tractors,..got sick and tired of dead batts from leaving something on thats not key controlled.

BushogPapa · Sep 15, 2012

If you have not wired the (an) Ignition switch that "Kills" everything, then a Master Shut-off is a great idea..
I have mine wired so that when the Ignition switch is "OFF", everything, including the lights are inoperative..

Ron..

OliverGuy · Sep 15, 2012

I put the ones with the removable keys on my older tractors hidden up under the hood. Bought them from harbor freight. Use a couple at work too. Keeps people from turning your stuff on at a show, or will help if you have a small drain you can't find

gene bender · Sep 15, 2012

Hook it on the ground side

Anonymous-0 · Sep 15, 2012

(quoted from post at 11:03:15 09/15/12) Hook it on the ground side

getting ready to install one myself... Was thinking the positive cable close to the battery with the thought that it'd cut power in case of a short somewhere to avoid frying wires. Or will it make a difference??

El Toro · Sep 15, 2012

The military used a master switch like this that isolated the battery from being grounded. Hal

farmer boy · Sep 15, 2012

No difference. If you cut off 1/2 the circuit, the positive has nothing to short circuit to.

rustyfarmall · Sep 15, 2012

I've not installed one yet, but plan to do so before taking a tractor to any kind of public event.

LJD · Sep 15, 2012

John Deere uses them OEM on many crawlers. It doesn't matter if you hook it to positive or negative although positive is the accepted convention (if a neg ground system). Main thing is to get one that can carry enough amps so the starter works properly. Many are rated very low.

Walmart sells cheap shut-off that mount directly on the battery post and they work fine.

Surplus center sells a nice HD battery disconnect switch for $19:

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=11-3294&catname=electric

RayP(MI) · Sep 15, 2012

When I worked on ambulance radios & electronics, most of the units I worked on had a rotary isolater switch, allowed off, either, or both batteries. Suggest you check NAPA or other auto store. Or, a Marine supply dealer, have seen similar switches in boating applications. Usually installed in the + (hot) side line.

pete 23 · Sep 15, 2012

It will work on either side but the ground side is t he correct side. That way if you happen to touch either post of the battery to ground you will not have sparks flying. If you put the disconnect in the hot side, you can still complete a short circuit from the hot side of battery to ground. Worked with a buddy back in the motor pool in the army. He never could get it through his head which cable to disconnect first. Man, 24 volt system with those large batteries would fry a wrench real quick. Always unhook ground side when working on a vehicle.

Ray · Sep 15, 2012

Just unhook one of the battery cables,or unhook from the starter solenoid nut,problem solved.

dpendzic · Sep 15, 2012

If you put the switch on the hot wire you will always have a hot wire from the battery to the switch. If you put it on the ground wire then everything is dead.
My Cat dozers have the disconnect switches on the ground from the factory.

Old Iowa · Sep 15, 2012

Rusty Farmall: That switch is only rated at 250 amps. That is not near heavy enough for a tractor. Most of the self propelled forage choppers around here have them installed on them. They are rated at 1500 amps and cost around a $100. They where having trouble with cab fires. There are miles of wires in these newer choppers. One little bare spot and poof.

Mike in Mn. · Sep 15, 2012

Have them on my tractors, put it on the ground side, thinking maybe prevent a fire someday.

battery cutoff/ isolation swtich

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