Battery Disconnect FYI

[Will S.]

Last year I installed one of these battery disconnect switches on my boats starting battery. Every night, I turn the disconnect a few times to disconnect all power to my starting battery. In MY application, the battery isn't real accessible, so I have to reach under & back & feel for the disconnect and Loosen or tighten by hand. All had been going well. Until yesterday. I was fishing on the north of Eagle Rock Marina. When I went to fire up the motor- NOTHING-NO POWER AT ALL ! I instantly thought about the wind blowing my fiberglass boat up on a rock bank. I scrambled checking the main fuse then decided to troll around the point to get out of the wind. I did so & threw my anchor up shallow and started to check things out. I carry jumper cables in case I need to jump off my trolling battery (yeah, I'm freaking like that). When I pulled the battery where I could get at it, I noticed that the disconnect I installed was on cockeyed and was not making a good connection. Apparently the night before I loosened the thumbwheel TOO much & when I tighten it in the morning it just didn't seat properly- not being able to easily see it, I didn't notice. Straightened it & retightened the wheel & all is good.

I am attaching a photo of one similar to what I have installed. Just wanted to share incase anyone has one of these things.

The jury is out if im keeping this thing or not.

ALSO I'd like to thank the nice couple that was fishing in the area & offered their assistance to me TWICE. Very nice of you to offer ! Bill

[fishinwrench]

I don't like it.  Battery connections need to be clean and TIGHT, as in with a wrench tight.    That hand tight business is asking for trouble.  

And get rid of those jumper cables!!! 

If you have to swap a battery over to get started in an emergency then so be it (but if you do then there's a problem in your system that needs attention), but using jumper cables down in the bilge area of a boat is a huge No No.  Get them out of there and throw them back in your truck or garage.  

[Will S.]

1 minute ago, fishinwrench said:

I don't like it.  Battery connections need to be clean and TIGHT, as in with a wrench tight.    That hand tight business is asking for trouble.  

And get rid of those jumper cables!!! 

If you have to swap a battery over to get started in an emergency then so be it (but if you do then there's a problem in your system that needs attention), but using jumper cables down in the bilge area of a boat is a huge No No.  Get them out of there and throw them back in your truck or garage.  

My batteries are under my seats, not in the bilge. Now if I could always remember to shut everything off each night...

[moguy1973]

I think I'd rather have a real cut off switch like this:

[Will S.]

Me too !

[Will S.]