I would like to mount a battery isolation switch on the firewall of my RV7A. Has anyone done this safely? Photos? I should be able to reach it through the oil access door on the upper cowling..
Thanks
… and the truck and racing car industry… search for Automotive Battery Isolator Switch, or Kill Switch.the marine people have a lot of good products
I'm surprised no one asked "why"..There seems to be a slight "leak" somewhere in my system even with the battery master off and I have been unable to find it with pulling circuit breakers. All large boats have battery isolation switches and it's for that very reason.
The only (quality) isolation switches I have found online are designed to be placed on the + side. My positive cable is connected to a solenoid and the only thing that would isolate the battery completely would be shutoff at the + cable. I'm on my 3rd battery for the past 12 months.
I realize that this presents a significant safety issue and I had hoped someone had come up with a mount. It's not rocket science and I should be able to come up with something with lots of insulation on the terminals.
Thanks to all
I just installed a battery switch in the boat I'm finishing and am a bit confused about your comment about switches being designed for the + cable. The switches I've used are just two terminals, the switch doesn't know which side of the battery is connected. If you put the switch between the battery ground terminal and the airframe the battery is isolated and no drain can occur. I put the boat switch on the ground side.
I'm surprised no one asked "why"..There seems to be a slight "leak" somewhere in my system even with the battery master off and I have been unable to find it with pulling circuit breakers. All large boats have battery isolation switches and it's for that very reason.
The only (quality) isolation switches I have found online are designed to be placed on the + side. My positive cable is connected to a solenoid and the only thing that would isolate the battery completely would be shutoff at the + cable. I'm on my 3rd battery for the past 12 months.
Thanks to all
I think having a KILL switch is a great idea.
Now, that said I do not have one on my RV. But, when I went to Houston from Washington with my high cube work van full of tools (van and tools about $50,000.00) to work on her house for 8 weeks I put one in the engine compartment so nobody could easily steal my van.
Simple to install and has a separate plug like plastic key to re-engage the power.
I used it for an anti-theft device on that truck, But, have used them on our race cars in the past. Mounted on the dash for fast access and guaranteed power cutoff.
Art
Thread drift starting...
Doesn't that just make your kill switch a SPF item?
So, what are your suggestions for trouble shooting the leak in the autopilot system? For me..kill switch until I can get it to Vic Syracuse's shop for the annual inspection in a couple of months.
Of course I could use the circuit breaker as a switch in the meantime...(a definite no no)
I am a non builder, non mechanic, and a non automotive electrician
Dan, confirmed the leak today. Multimeter in amps mode connected between grounds. Found a 07.91 leak in the mili amp mode. Pulled cbs and the leak is on the autopilot servo cd. /url]
Dan, confirmed the leak today. Multimeter in amps mode connected between grounds. Found a 07.91 leak in the mili amp mode.
Pulled cbs and the leak is on the autopilot servo cd. All the other cbs checked no leak. ..
Yes, I did measure between the negative battery lead to the ground strap of the engine. I will check again using the firewall ground..However, ground is ground is it not? I am measuring current flow through the battery either way. I understand that current flow can be measured either on the positive side OR the negative side of the battery. I just don't like the possibility making SPARKS!
I do have a backup 12v Odyssey battery installed and it does supply the E bus through a switch on the panel. It's charge from the alternator can also be controlled via a switch. I have had no voltage loss issues on the backup battery.
The only leak I have is with the autopilot servo cb "in". I have pulled and reset all 24 circuit breakers and that is the only cb that indicates a leak. When I pull the autopilot servo cb, the multi meter indicates 0.00 (no leak)
As I see it, my choices are:
1. Take the plane to an electrical system guru immediately. Yes, I do have a schematic
2. Install a temporary battery shutoff on the ground side until the plane goes in for annual next month.
3. Use the autopilot servo circuit breaker as a switch until I can figure what the h...is going on in that circuit.