Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Where do you think is the best & easiest place to install an electrical shutoff switch on my 1936 coupe ?

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Get a battery disconnect that attaches to the neg post on the battery.. A couple turns of the green knob and the voltage is disconnected.
You should always put a disconnect switch on the negative post, that insures that the voltage is truly turned off.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Dont get A CHEAP Cutoff. They WILL melt with any type of extended cranking.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Hi, those green knob battery terminal switches are only very fair quality. The cast body of the switch looks like brass but it is only a zinc muck metal casting. After a fair amount of use the internal female thread becomes very rough and results in a NO connection. What can you expect for ten bucks ? If your battery is still under the floor in your 36 Ford then you could fit a key or lever/knob type quality switch in the floor (one hole needs to be drilled) just in front of the drivers seat and fit the battery ground cable through the switch. The cable is very close to the switch in this case. The switch is accessable whilst driving if you have an electrical short or burn up when on the move. Its hidden and does not require the hood to be lifted so nobody else will see you turn it off. A good anti theft device. I have my 34 Fords done this way. Not seen in the engine bay either. Regards, Kevin.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

That´s a quality piece you got there...now just make a couple of hundreds to sell :D

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

I have been using the battery top cable disconnect for over thirty years on many cars, never had a problem with a failure. Of course I am careful with the quality I purchase.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

I have used those "Battery Top" shut-offs with no problems for years as well. I think the secret to longevity is to use them as seldom as possible, and to completely remove the threaded knob each time you do and inspect it for condition and remove any corrosion that might be starting.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Blucar - Is your ground the positive or the negative post?

Most of the electrical auto experts say that the safest way, before you work on anything engine/electrical related, is to disconnect the ground cable. I assume then, that the ground post on the battery is also the best place to install the disconnect switch? In my case it is the positive terminal.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

MGG....correct. Use the ground (earth) cable

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

I like Koates have the good lever shut off on the floor just under the seat out of sight but still reachable on my 36 conv.sedan works great,Cliff.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

I went to my local marine supply dealer , they carry quality disconnect switches--i think mine is a Cole -Hercy, not cheap but well made

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Thanks for all the input....wanting to make it as convient as possible for the driver.....still undeceided on location...

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Tiger1000 has indeed made a quality shutoff. Unfortunately, his shutoff still connects directly to the battery post, which is the weakest physical point of any battery. How many of you have damaged a battery by over tightening the battery post? I have more than once.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

My '47 long ago lost any concourse qualifications before my ownership so .... I installed a Performance Dynamics $30 Master shutoff. It's a rotary switch rated around 900 amps. It disconnects both the battery and the generator/alternator circuit. I also installed rubber terminal covers since tools may come in contact with them. My firewall has an unused heater pipe hole above the starter solenoid so I installed the shank of the switch thru the hole with the switch knob on the driver/passenger side of the firewall adjacent to the heater (photos attached). It is easily reached yet not obvious to someone who might be interested in car thief.

Had a battery terminal thumb-screw type described above. Now, no more constant opening/closing hood, under-hood head banging or concerns about adequate current capacity.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Mine is located between legs on seat riser,close and easy easy to make connections under seat,I use a heavy duty key sw ,you can remove key if you like.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

This is my choice for battery terminal shut-off, no machining, no inspecting, no having to order and I have a choice of which side to disconnect.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1511451971
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Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Don: Your key operated switch at the driver's seat a great idea. When researching for a master switch I read some web-site thread-postings that discussed concerns about proper amp ratings. For my situation, having a switch right by the driver's seat wouldn't have been practical given the cabling distance between the switch and my batt on the passenger side engine compartment.

I have a 12 volt system with negative ground. Because the switch has a good amp rating, I choose to run positive thru the master switch to the solenoid and used the larger-than-needed 6 volt size #1 cabling to minimize voltage drop. Also, I connect the batt ground directly to the starter motor as some old-timer's do (hence engine ground's connect to body and frame.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Don't use the small cheap one with the green knob. I have had at
least 10 of them fail. I like the heavy duty Cole Hersey type that
is mounted under the turn handle. On the 35/36's I bring the battery
cable easiest to route through the floor under the seat with the switch
mounted on the riser where the seat sits. Position the switch so you
can comfortably reach your right hand down to operate it. I believe
this is a safety feature and points are not deducted in major shows.
G.M.

Re: Electrical shutoff on 36 coupe
 

Thanks for all the good ideas and I have decieded to go with Don`s & GM`s setup as the seat riser is close to the battery under the floor....I will use a heavy duty switch....thanks again.