Experience with a Battery Cut-Off Switch? ***Photo of mine attached***

I installed a rotary type terminal battery cut-off switch today. It’s doesn’t seem to robust. Does anyone have any experience with these?
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I would pick up an OEM one as on my 456. I had one like you picture for several years on my old aston, There in no definite click to disconnect so its really just a pressure sensitive screw. Eventuall my corroded and I tossed it. Just my 2cents.

 

It will work "okay" but there are better methods.

 

I have better luck with the one with the red handle that you twist 90 degrees to connect or disconnect.

 

I have had one of those green ones on my other car for 20 years.
It feels less good than it is, so far.
I used one on my Mondial before I found an OEM switch.

 

That thing is a POS. Throw it in the trash and reconnect your battery.

 

Agree that it is a cheapo solution. I had one on my Kubota RTV, and it corroded after about 3 years. However I would say it's still an option, due to the fact that it's an easy install, and you can cheaply replace it when/if it fails.

 

Don't you have the original quick disconnect terminals?

 

If he does, I'd bet it's just as worthless, if not worse. It was the first thing I removed when I got my car, noticed immediate improvement in the electricals.

 

Nope. Were they standard on a 328?

 

Forget the cut-off switch; buy a floating battery maintainer!

 

I have used this type on several of my cars and never experienced any problems with them.

I also had the approved racing type with the removable turnkey on my Maserati Bora - trickier to fit as they need to be bulkhead / body panel mounted and require additional heavy duty cabling.

Personally, if I can readily access the battery terminals, I am happy using the type you picture and haven't personally experienced any corrosion or build up of any crusty deposits. Most of our Alfa ROmeo Owners club section members use them.

But then I do keep my cars in a pretty dry garage environment.

David.

 

If you have a 328, you don't need a quick disconnect, there's one built into the car. I don't have a picture (although someone here posted one perhaps years ago). Open the front bonnet, on the driver's side towards the front of the wheel well you will see a red rectangular connector (about 3 inches long by 1 inch square if memory serves) it's attached to the rail, you can pull that connection apart and the battery is disconnected. That's what it's for. It is made out of plastic so you want to be a bit gentle with it, but I have used it since I found out about it (although I rarely disconnect the battery on my car, I use a battery tender full time). It beats having to remove the spare and taking the nut off the battery cover to get at the one on the battery you installed and reversing all of that when you want to go back.

If you can't find it, let me know and I can snap a picture and e-mail it to you when I next have access to the car.

 

You mean, like this? - DM
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Well, I am humbled… I just took a look and yes there is a quick disconnect. And it’s even outside of the spare tire well.

It makes me think about what other cool features I’ve been missing after all these years.

 

Exactly.

 

There you go! Just use the original type terminal for your battery and use the the quick disconnect for now on. It's so much easier and lots more convenient. I use my QD all the time, everytime I park my car in the garage then plug the battery Tender.

 

You can always add a (fused) direct connection to the battery ending with some kind of connector close to the spare tyre. You can them use the same connector on your battery tender.
Arrive home, use the quick disconnect and connect your tender. Reverse to go out. Voilá!