The Ford Barn

ivoryjohn · 02-04-2013, 09:52 PM

I took a battery back today that had gone bad because I had cycled it one too many times by letting a small draw run the battery down to zero. My fault but I trusted the warranty would save me and I abused the battery through my neglect. The warrant didn't save me and I was disappointed to learn my year warranty expired six months ago. Ninety bucks down the drain. Expensive lesson.

There was a battery disconnect on the positive pole of the battery but it was one of the cheap ones that you have to unscrew the knob on the battery every time under the floor board and because it is inconvenient I didn't always use it except when I was going to let the car sit for a few days or weeks. Or I just forgot.

There are a number of post about battery switch placement on the firewall, on the seat frame and under the hood on the starter. There are pros and cons but i[B]s there a technical reason for which side of the battery, positive or negative that is preferable?[/]

My fog lights and turn signals are hooked up to the negative battery terminal. If I mount the new switch I ordered today on it's bracket off the starter I am afraid I will fail to use it just as I did the cheapo switch I have now. Besides I would have to mount the wires for the turn signals and fog lights outside between the switch and starter or they would still be in the live circuit. I like them tucked hidden under the floor boards out of sight.

The ideal site for the switch, as I see it, is on the positive side of the battery, under the seat with the wires inside the tool box, and the on-off lever sticking out through the seat frame on the driver's side. It would be fairly convenient, hidden and safe, I would think, if I wanted to kill the battery because of engine problems.

Does it matter where you put the switch....positive or negative?

02-04-2013, 09:52 PM	#1
ivoryjohn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: picauyne ms. Posts: 251	Battery switch placement I took a battery back today that had gone bad because I had cycled it one too many times by letting a small draw run the battery down to zero. My fault but I trusted the warranty would save me and I abused the battery through my neglect. The warrant didn't save me and I was disappointed to learn my year warranty expired six months ago. Ninety bucks down the drain. Expensive lesson. There was a battery disconnect on the positive pole of the battery but it was one of the cheap ones that you have to unscrew the knob on the battery every time under the floor board and because it is inconvenient I didn't always use it except when I was going to let the car sit for a few days or weeks. Or I just forgot. There are a number of post about battery switch placement on the firewall, on the seat frame and under the hood on the starter. There are pros and cons but i[B]s there a technical reason for which side of the battery, positive or negative that is preferable?[/] My fog lights and turn signals are hooked up to the negative battery terminal. If I mount the new switch I ordered today on it's bracket off the starter I am afraid I will fail to use it just as I did the cheapo switch I have now. Besides I would have to mount the wires for the turn signals and fog lights outside between the switch and starter or they would still be in the live circuit. I like them tucked hidden under the floor boards out of sight. The ideal site for the switch, as I see it, is on the positive side of the battery, under the seat with the wires inside the tool box, and the on-off lever sticking out through the seat frame on the driver's side. It would be fairly convenient, hidden and safe, I would think, if I wanted to kill the battery because of engine problems. Does it matter where you put the switch....positive or negative?