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Battery Cutoff question

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rparigoris

Joined: 24 Nov 2009
Posts: 780

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:28 am Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

Hi Group

I have a battery cutoff question:

My son's car has a mystery drain that kills the battery in a few days, no one has been able to locate the drain as of yet.

I purchased a battery switch for the negative terminal. The problem is you can't get to the negative terminal, but can very easily get to the positive terminal.

Thus want to install the switch on the positive terminal. 

Since the positive terminal is larger than the negative I need to enlarge the tapered hole of the negative switch.

Anyone have any ideas how to enlarge the tapered hole?

The male terminal of the Brass switch needs a tapered adapter that I can make on lathe.

Thx. Ron P.

Rowland_Carson

Joined: 04 Jul 2008
Posts: 154
Location: Cheltenham, England

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:35 am Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

Ron - canâ€™t help with the switch fitting, but does he by any chance have a socket for trailer electrics? I had this sort of problem and it was solved when I replaced the corroded trailer socket.



in friendship



Rowland



 	  Quote: 	
		   On 2023-01-04, at 17:28, rparigoris <rparigor(at)hotmail.com> wrote:

 

 

 

 Hi Group

 I have a battery cutoff question:

 My son's car has a mystery drain that kills the battery in a few days, no one has been able to locate the drain as of yet.

 I purchased a battery switch for the negative terminal. The problem is you can't get to the negative terminal, but can very easily get to the positive terminal.

 Thus want to install the switch on the positive terminal. 

 Since the positive terminal is larger than the negative I need to enlarge the tapered hole of the negative switch.

 Anyone have any ideas how to enlarge the tapered hole?

 The male terminal of the Brass switch needs a tapered adapter that I can make on lathe.

 Thx. Ron P.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=509877#509877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


	


| Rowland Carson          ... that's Rowland with a 'w' ...

| <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com>            http://www.rowlandcarson.org.uk

| Skype, Twitter: rowland_carson      Facebook: Rowland Carson

egilroy(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:07 am Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

I have a Ford pickup truck that has been like this for years, I chose to put a pigtail on the battery and hit it with a trickle charger every week or so when it is not being used regularly. If you use a battery disconnect on a recent car, it loses the ECM learned programming and it needs some amount of time to relearn the drive cycle. This can cause issues with your catalytic converter over time if it must constantly relearn.

Just my experience, Ed

On Wed, Jan 4, 2023 at 12:37 PM Rowland Carson <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com (rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Rowland Carson <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com (rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com)>

 Ron - canâ€™t help with the switch fitting, but does he by any chance have a socket for trailer electrics? I had this sort of problem and it was solved when I replaced the corroded trailer socket.

 in friendship

 Rowland

 > On 2023-01-04, at 17:28, rparigoris <rparigor(at)hotmail.com (rparigor(at)hotmail.com)> wrote:

 > 

 > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "rparigoris" <rparigor(at)hotmail.com (rparigor(at)hotmail.com)>

 > 

 > Hi Group

 > I have a battery cutoff question:

 > My son's car has a mystery drain that kills the battery in a few days, no one has been able to locate the drain as of yet.

 > I purchased a battery switch for the negative terminal. The problem is you can't get to the negative terminal, but can very easily get to the positive terminal.

 > Thus want to install the switch on the positive terminal. 

 > Since the positive terminal is larger than the negative I need to enlarge the tapered hole of the negative switch.

 > Anyone have any ideas how to enlarge the tapered hole?

 > The male terminal of the Brass switch needs a tapered adapter that I can make on lathe.

 > Thx. Ron P.

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > Read this topic online here:

 > 

 > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=509877#509877

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 > 

 | Rowland CarsonÂ  Â  Â  Â  Â  ... that's Rowland with a 'w' ...

 | <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com (rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com)>Â  Â  Â  Â  Â  Â  http://www.rowlandcarson.org.uk

 | Skype, Twitter: rowland_carsonÂ  Â  Â  Facebook: Rowland Carson

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recapen(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 12:07 pm Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

Especially if the trailer electrics are connected....



--

recapen(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 12:08 pm Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

I would start with removing some fuses first to narrow down the culprit.....



--

m.j.gregory(at)talk21.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 3:40 pm Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

Hello Ron,



Some years ago my son had the same problem with his car battery draining

over a few days when not in use.



The culprit turned out to be the light in the boot (trunk), which was not

turning off when the lid was closed. Because it could not be seen when the

lid was closed, it was some time before we tracked it down and adjusted the

switch.



Good luck with yours!



Regards, Mike



--

David Lamphere

Joined: 20 Oct 2019
Posts: 19
Location: Culpeper, Virginia

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 6:24 pm Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

I had battery drainage issue with my old 2002 Toyota a few years ago. Turned out the starter was bad and would draw down (at rest) the battery gradually.

Might be your problem also. FWIW



Regards,

Dave L.



On Jan 4, 2023, at 12:28 PM, rparigoris <rparigor(at)hotmail.com> wrote:






Hi Group

I have a battery cutoff question:

My son's car has a mystery drain that kills the battery in a few days, no one has been able to locate the drain as of yet.

I purchased a battery switch for the negative terminal. The problem is you can't get to the negative terminal, but can very easily get to the positive terminal.

Thus want to install the switch on the positive terminal. 

Since the positive terminal is larger than the negative I need to enlarge the tapered hole of the negative switch.

Anyone have any ideas how to enlarge the tapered hole?

The male terminal of the Brass switch needs a tapered adapter that I can make on lathe.

Thx. Ron P.





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=509877#509877

chaskuss(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 7:47 am Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

Ron,

This is my third attempt to respond to you. First two didn't  get posted, due to attachments. Since no one as actually answered your question:



First, yes, you can install the shut off terminal onto the positive terminal. To properly open up the ID of the new terminal use a Blue Point [division of Snap On Tools] model BTC 8 or BTC 8A battery terminal cleaner [or similar] which has a tapered reamer, rather than a brush to clean that area. The link below shows the external of the tool, but alas, does not show the male reamer, which is under the domed cap.



https://tinyurl.com/3wzjrsvz



Contact me off list and I can email you photos of my 40 year old BTC 8 tool. These are MUCH better than the wire brush style cleaners.



Charlie

            

                                                                                        On Wednesday, January 4, 2023, 02:23:45 PM EST, Ed Gilroy <egilroy(at)gmail.com> wrote:                

                



                



                I have a Ford pickup truck that has been like this for years, I chose to put a pigtail on the battery and hit it with a trickle charger every week or so when it is not being used regularly. If you use a battery disconnect on a recent car, it loses the ECM learned programming and it needs some amount of time to relearn the drive cycle. This can cause issues with your catalytic converter over time if it must constantly relearn.



Just my experience, Ed

On Wed, Jan 4, 2023 at 12:37 PM Rowland Carson <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com (rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com)> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Rowland Carson <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com (rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com)>



Ron - canâ€™t help with the switch fitting, but does he by any chance have a socket for trailer electrics? I had this sort of problem and it was solved when I replaced the corroded trailer socket.



in friendship



Rowland



 	  Quote: 	
		   On 2023-01-04, at 17:28, rparigoris <rparigor(at)hotmail.com (rparigor(at)hotmail.com)> wrote:

 

 --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "rparigoris" <rparigor(at)hotmail.com (rparigor(at)hotmail.com)>

 

 Hi Group

 I have a battery cutoff question:

 My son's car has a mystery drain that kills the battery in a few days, no one has been able to locate the drain as of yet.

 I purchased a battery switch for the negative terminal. The problem is you can't get to the negative terminal, but can very easily get to the positive terminal.

 Thus want to install the switch on the positive terminal. 

 Since the positive terminal is larger than the negative I need to enlarge the tapered hole of the negative switch.

 Anyone have any ideas how to enlarge the tapered hole?

 The male terminal of the Brass switch needs a tapered adapter that I can make on lathe.

 Thx. Ron P.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=509877#509877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


	


| Rowland Carson          ... that's Rowland with a 'w' ...

| <rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com (rowlandcarson(at)gmail.com)>            http://www.rowlandcarson.org.uk

| Skype, Twitter: rowland_carson      Facebook: Rowland Carson

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rparigoris

Joined: 24 Nov 2009
Posts: 780

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 12:59 pm Post subject: Re: Battery Cutoff question

Hi Group

Thanks to all who replied.



I was able to procure a tool post cleaning tool with reamer locally but same as this:

https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Tool-W152C-Battery-Cleaner/dp/B000N31ZYY/ref=asc_df_B000N31ZYY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312681740304&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11594008048498942491&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023372&hvtargid=pla-571302571565&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61040318086&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312681740304&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11594008048498942491&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023372&hvtargid=pla-571302571565



Probably dullest reamer I have ever used! I bent the Brass terminal larger and made an aluminium tapered spacer to go in gap and Tightened bolt and reamed. I used cutting fluid and drill, was able to get 75% contact area, which should be OK. Now just need to make a male adapter.



It's my son's car and it lives on street so no Battery Tender option. I checked drain and never found anything. It's a Ford Focus Se and it has several come alive modes. My wife against my urging purchased from a Ford dealer a silly start car remote. I suspect that's the problem. Once in a while you can't turn car off. Disconnecting battery resolves problem. It has been to 2 Ford Stealerships and they couldn't find any problem. They also couldn't remove the remote start because it isn't a Ford unit. It was installed at the Dealer car was purchased from. 

Never heard of a starter drain, good to know. It doesn't have trailer wiring. I thought it could perhaps be alternator, but I see no drain when it goes to sleep. Checked all lights and they are going out. The various sleep modes are way beyond the manual I have to trouble shoot. The battery is fairly new and BMS was reset when battery was changed. When battery is disconnected, it's still fine after 2 weeks. 

BTW have you guyz ever looked at how the charging works on a Ford like this? I have a Focus ST with an Access Port so I can watch the charging. the voltage is way up, then drops, goes sideways and then upside down! Just the way Ford does it. It has a sensor on Negative battery terminal. If you don'[t reset BMS with a new battery, it will overcharge the battery and fry it. Disconnecting the battery does not reset BMS.

Thanks again!

Ron P.

ronaldcox

Joined: 24 Jan 2008
Posts: 38

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Battery Cutoff question

 	  rparigoris wrote: 	
		  Hi Group

I have a battery cutoff question:

My son's car has a mystery drain that kills the battery in a few days, no one has been able to locate the drain as of yet.

I purchased a battery switch for the negative terminal. The problem is you can't get to the negative terminal, but can very easily get to the positive terminal.

Thus want to install the switch on the positive terminal. 

Since the positive terminal is larger than the negative I need to enlarge the tapered hole of the negative switch.

Anyone have any ideas how to enlarge the tapered hole?

The male terminal of the Brass switch needs a tapered adapter that I can make on lathe.

Thx. Ron P. 	




Try something like this in the correct size (a range).  Even cheaper versions might be available. 



The metal in those switches is usually either lead or brass, either of which is very soft.



Ron Cox



https://a.co/0abakOy

_________________
Ron Cox
Glasair Super II F/T
Under Construction at C77 - Still just about to fly!

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 12:09 pm Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

At 11:28 AM 1/4/2023, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "rparigoris" <rparigor(at)hotmail.com>



 Hi Group

 I have a battery cutoff question:

 My son's car has a mystery drain that kills the battery in a few days, no one has been able to locate the drain as of yet. 	


   Have you attempted to locate source of the drain?

   Has it been measured? Size of current draw offers

   clues as to the culprit. Have you acquired a wiring

   diagram for the vehicle? There are very few always-

   hot circuits in the vehicle.



   



 

 

   Bob . . .



   Un impeachable logic: George Carlin asked, "If black boxes

   survive crashes, why don't they make the whole airplane

   out of that stuff?"

skywagon185(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 12:34 pm Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

Ron,I have a couple of thoughts....

* Don't buy a "remote" to start a car for "just for a few minutes"Â of charge.Â  Modern engines shouldn't be run just for a few minutes and then shut down. The oil gets contaminated with cold engine chemistry that only "hot" oil can properly deal with.

* I don't know details on the car that is causing problems but if it contains a computer sub-system, it may be the kind that staysÂ on all the time.Â  That should be checked.

* For street parked car charging....suggestion.Â  Small 12volt solar panels, say about 5"x 8", etc. are really cheap now.Â  They put out about 1/4 to 1/2 amp.Â  Which is fine for light charging of a car battery.Â  Attach it to a cigaretteÂ cableÂ  and plug it into the cigarette socket in the dash. Place the unit on the car dash so it gets the sun.

However, there is a key warning about these small solar panels.Â  Most of The 12 volt units can go as high as 18 Volts. Thus if the car battery is fully charged the panel could continue to trickle charge it.Â  The battery could start to slowly "gas" as the voltage raises. A low cost modification can stop this over-charging. Using a zener diode or similar to protect the battery from the higher charging voltage problem.Â  You may be able to find a solar unit that already has this builtin protection or a friend that can modify theÂ it.

Dave

On Thu, Jan 5, 2023 at 1:03 PM rparigoris <rparigor(at)hotmail.com (rparigor(at)hotmail.com)> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "rparigoris" <rparigor(at)hotmail.com (rparigor(at)hotmail.com)>

 

 Hi Group

 Thanks to all who replied.

 

 I was able to procure a tool post cleaning tool with reamer locally but same as this:

 https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Tool-W152C-Battery-Cleaner/dp/B000N31ZYY/ref=asc_df_B000N31ZYY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312681740304&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11594008048498942491&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023372&hvtargid=pla-571302571565&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61040318086&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312681740304&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11594008048498942491&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023372&hvtargid=pla-571302571565

 

 Probably dullest reamer I have ever used! I bent the Brass terminal larger and made an aluminium tapered spacer to go in gap and iightened bolt and reamed. I used cutting fluid and drill, was able to get 75% contact area, which should be OK. Now just need to make a male adapter.

 

 It's my son's car and it lives on street so no Battery Tender option. I checked drain and never found anything. It's a Ford Focus Se and it has several come alive modes. My wife against my urging purchased from a Ford dealer a silly start car remote. I suspect that's the problem. Once in a while you can't turn car off. Disconnecting battery resolves problem. It has been to 2 Ford Stealerships and they couldn't find any problem. They also couldn't remove the remote start because it isn't a Ford unit. It was installed at the Dealer car was purchased from. 

 Never heard of a starter drain, good to know. It doesn't have trailer wiring. I thought it could perhaps be alternator, but I see no drain when it goes to sleep. Checked all lights and they are going out. The various sleep modes are way beyond the manual I have to trouble shoot. The battery is fairly new and BMS was reset when battery was changed. When battery is disconnected, it's still fine after 2 weeks. 

 BTW have you guyz ever looked at how the charging works on a Ford like this? I have a Focus ST with an Access Port so I can watch the charging. the voltage is way up, then drops, goes sideways and then upside down! Just the way Ford does it. It has a sensor on Negative battery terminal. If you don'[t reset BMS with a new battery, it will overcharge the battery and fry it. Disconnecting the battery does not reset BMS.

 Thanks again!

 Ron P.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=509894#509894

 

 

 

 

 

 

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chaskuss(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 1:20 pm Post subject: Battery Cutoff question

The cigarette lighter as a power port only works on American vehicles, such as your Ford. Asian vehicles and many European vehicles only supply power to the cigarette/power port with the ignition switch in the Accessory or Run positions, so the power generated by the solar panel would not be delivered to the battery on those vehicles.



Charlie





On Sunday, January 8, 2023, 03:43:32 PM EST, skywagon185guy <skywagon185(at)gmail.com> wrote:

Ron,

snipped

* For street parked car charging....suggestion. Small 12volt solar panels, say about 5"x 8", etc. are really cheap now. They put out about 1/4 to 1/2 amp. Which is fine for light charging of a car battery. Attach it to a cigaretteÂ cable and plug it into the cigarette socket in the dash. Place the unit on the car dash so it gets the sun.



snipped

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