2nd Generation Specific 1986-1992 Discussion

Batt Kill Switch

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Old 04-18-2004, 02:00 PM
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When the car sits for a few weeks at a time, the battery is drained. Does anyone know what amp switch I'd need? Do you install it on the + or ground cable? I need to do the test light thing on the fuse box to see if there is a drain somewhere but I want to put in this kill switch for when it sits for a while.
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Old 04-18-2004, 02:03 PM
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Bigger the current rating the better. I think a 100 AMP switch would work good.



You install it on the negetive terminal. Remember cars work off of basic DC principles.
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Old 04-18-2004, 02:04 PM
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I think all you have to do is disconnect the negative post.
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Old 04-18-2004, 02:06 PM
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Ok, these things confuse me. I was thinking to install it on the + cable in case I had something drawing power that was grounded even with the car off. Can the battery lose its charge just by sitting regardless of being hooked up to anything?
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Old 04-18-2004, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Houstonderk' date='Apr 18 2004, 03:04 PM
I think all you have to do is disconnect the negative post.
yeah, that's what I've been doing but I wanted to put a switch in instead
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Old 04-18-2004, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by FCmaniac' date='Apr 18 2004, 02:06 PM
Ok, these things confuse me. I was thinking to install it on the + cable in case I had something drawing power that was grounded even with the car off. Can the battery lose its charge just by sitting regardless of being hooked up to anything?
dude this is direct current system.



You need to have both terminals connected to get electrons to flow between the anode and cathode for current to be moved.



It doesn't matter, and there is no such thing as ground power. You can not draw power from ground.



You always put it on the negetive.
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Old 04-19-2004, 06:26 AM
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ok thanks, I'm an idiot



So is it normal for the battery to discharge if it is not used for a month or two at a time even if not connected?
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Old 04-19-2004, 07:49 AM
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you can use a disonnect terminal

but batteries do lose thier charge from sitting



sort of like this, but I dont think this one clears the hood on a

FC, I use some auto parts store one on my jeep and

it works great and doesnt have the height like this one



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Old 04-19-2004, 10:13 AM
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If you're losing power from sitting for a few weeks, the battery needs to be replaced or you have a very slight current draw when the car is off that needs to be addressed.



An old battery won't hold a charge so well, so when it sits for a while and loses juice then you know it's time to replace it. New batteries will not lose power in a few weeks of sitting.



Unless you've got an alarm setup and it keeps going off or some other form of current draw while the car isn't running?
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Old 04-19-2004, 10:49 AM
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Rob, I cant see the pic, please post it again.



Colin, this battery is only a few months old. I disconnect the ground cable when the car is sitting for weeks at a time. Thats why I'm confused and brought up the questions about the positive cable. I dont see why a battery this new would lose its charge like this even with the ground cable not connected.
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