optima install w/ battery cut-off switch

[t.brady]

a couple of pics. showing my optima install. i mounted the battery to a small sheet of aluminum, then mounted the aluminum to the factory battery location. i used pelican's battery cut-off switch to lengthen the factory ground strap rather than replace it with a longer strap. the cut-off switch is a welcome addition, easy to cut power to the car for wrenching, security, and storage.





sorry for the blurry pic.

[Wil Ferch]

Put a protective cover over the positive terminal......

Otherwise....looks good !

Wil

[Paulporsche]

Nice. How much weight do you figure you save over the stock battery ( which I think is +/- 48 lb)?

[t.brady]

thanks Wil, think i'll use a marine grade post cover.

Paul, i believe the optima weighs approx. 37 lbs.

[RickM]

I've had the same cutoff switch on my Interstate for years. Love it.

The ability to remove the knob connector is great for security.

[steve911]

Originally posted by t.brady
a couple of pics. showing my optima install. i mounted the battery to a small sheet of aluminum, then mounted the aluminum to the factory battery location.

Looks great - what guage aluminum sheet did you use and how did you mount the battery to it?

[911pcars]

For added convenience when/if you remove the green knob for security, you can add an inline fuse (red wires in pic) between the cutout switch and the ground terminal. That way, the accessories will continue to operate (clock, alarm, radio presets, etc.), but if someone wants to crank the engine (as in hot wire), the fuse will blow and prevent that from happening (at lease until they figure that out).



BTW, I weighed this in at approx. 35 lbs.

Sherwood

[Jubbie]

Looks great.

I have used the cutoff switch in my 208K mile Volvo. It works great, but every blue moon, the knob will need to be cycled (loosened and tightened) to get to start the engine. Once every 3 - 4 months I have found.

[RickM]

Originally posted by 911pcars
For added convenience when/if you remove the green knob for security, you can add an inline fuse (red wires in pic) between the cutout switch and the ground terminal. That way, the accessories will continue to operate (clock, alarm, radio presets, etc.), but if someone wants to crank the engine (as in hot wire), the fuse will blow and prevent that from happening (at lease until they figure that out).


Sherwood

Very true. But if one is chasing a slow current draw this wont help. Actually they sell the switch with the fuse built is as well. Great idea.

[t.brady]

Steve, it's 1/8" aluminum. it's the same size as the AJ USA mounting plate.

[911pcars]

"...But if one is chasing a slow current draw this wont help..."

Actually the inline fuse holder is a convenient location to test for parasitic current draw. Unscrew knob, remove fuse, clip ammeter leads onto the fuse prongs, read ammeter.

Sherwood

[t.brady]

Sherwood, that's a great idea. are you using a fuse > 5A?

[911pcars]

Tom,
5A should be fine. I had a 10A fuse handy and use that (overkill).

Sherwood