I want to fit a discreet but easy to get at battery cutoff switch onto my 246GTS Can anyone recommend a good location, and would you fit it to the live or the earth wire ? Is there a preferred type of switch ? Many thanks Nigel
Hi Nigel, We fitted ours between the radiator and the moulding which keeps the tyre in place. here is the switch type http://www.dinoparts.eu/EN/ferrari-246-gt-gts/electrics/switches/master-switch-3799.html i will post a picture but wont see my car until the weekend. richard
Always interrupt ground, not power, with the switch. That way if any part of the switch or its wiring fails and shorts, you're shorting on the ground side and you won't catch fire.
Richard Good info and much apreciated. A photo would be helpful if you have time, with any fitting tips. Thanks Nigel
Nigel, I installed a cut-off switch in one of the right-hand-side holes in the valance beneath the front bumper. This allows me to switch off the current off (by interrupting the ground) without having to open the front lid. I do have to reach beneath the car. It is quite easy to do and I can take a photo, if that would be helpful. Regards, Andy
The other switch option is the Ferrari rotary as (I think) was used on the Daytona onwards p/n 139607
FYI, the standard plastic battery switch with the removable red handle is a Hella 6EK 002 843-051, can be sourced for 15-20 in the internet and on auto fairs. A more discreet and historically correct (as an option) battery cutoff switch is the Lucas SSB106 switch which is sold for around 40-50 (replicas for 20-25). Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Nigel, I snapped this photo when I got home from work today. The camera is lying on the floor, shooting up into the RH aperture below the front bumper. The green item is the battery. The switch is a Lucas item, similar to the one in Adrian's very informative post, but with a round knob. It is attached to the L-shaped bracket seen in the photo, which in turn is attached to the body. This is a simple two-terminal switch that interrupts the ground cable. There are cut-off switches with two additional, smaller terminals intended I understand to protect the alternator if the switch is operated when the engine is running. In another thread, Adrian has suggestions on alternative wiring, I recall. Sorry about the underneath of my car, which is unrestored. Anyway, I hope this is useful. Andres Image Unavailable, Please Login
This is a Lucas SSB103 (old number 76605, series ST350), from the early sixties. Should be still available as reproduction. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not necessarily, this switch type was produced for a long time so would also be periodically correct. I even have one as factory standard in an '84 Aston Vantage.
Funny - that round Lucas switch was used on one of my MGs as well. Lucas has its tentacles all over the place. BTW if you're looking for those switches, the British car parts supplier Moss Motors carries originals, or at least they used to. And unlike Ferrari parts, these are much cheaper - well under $100 if I remember correctly. www.mossmotors.com
Not available in the USA. At least I could not find it. The Hella item, I am not crazy about. It left me stranded during a race. I bought another brand after that, and it was much better quality, and that I am only assuming, as it never failed after that one time. Me, now that's another issue I would like to locate the Lucas type. Regards, Alberto
Alberto, Moss Motors US should have the Lucas item or a good reproduction, as noted above. However, I Googled the part numbers Adrian very kindly provided and found a number of mail-order sources in England (Merlin, etc.) that have either the original item or a reproduction. I might get the other Lucas model as a spare. What I did with my switch was to attach one of the terminals directly to the bracket, thereby holding the terminal and grounding it as well. Then I attached the ground cable to the other terminal. Andres
I installed my cut off switch on the spare tire holder in the hood. It has a cable that has a pull to it and is located under the passenger dash in the footwell. I can pull it and the battery will then be disabled. I wanted to have an immediate way of shutting down the power if there was a fire. I figured that would be much easier to do inside the car rather than getting out, opening the hood and turning off the switch. Particularly if you are in a hurry!! I will try to post a pic tmrw
I got an FIA approved switch with removable red key, from Griots Garage or one of the racer parts supply houses. My 02840 has large underbumper vent holes, and it is mounted in one of them. I just have to kneel down to get to it.
