stevegough
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 posted on 1/7/12 at 07:31 PM |
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Battery Isolator.
Well, after looking with horror at the sad end of Hicost's car in the Pyrennees, I have just spent a few hours trying to ensure mine
doesn't suffer the same terrible fate.
I have fitted an isolator (which can do treble duty) -
1 - isolates the battery (earth - to negative pole) in case of in-dash fire.
2 - isolates the leccies when the grandkids are faffing about in it.
3 - theft deterrent.
Already passed IVA, so I have no need to ensure the blinkin' hazards still work while isolated!
As I had planned to remove the dash to fit a 12v socket for the Tom Tom, it seemed a good time to do it.
Obligatory picture....
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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Westy1994
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| posted on 1/7/12 at 07:45 PM |
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I was going to put mine in there, but then thought about stuff that might roll about in the box and switch it off mid corner... Ended up in the same
area but under the dash instead. Nice tidy job though Steve.
Rich
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matt_gsxr
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| posted on 1/7/12 at 09:38 PM |
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Good work. Battery cut-off is a very nice little modification for a project car.
Provides some theft protection and is nice to have when messing with electrics too.
Some folk have suffered with intermitent failures on these but so far I haven't seen this.
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 1/7/12 at 09:46 PM |
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Just curious about the IVA comment - surely a battery isolator is not part of the IVA test, so all you have to worry about with that is when the
ignition is off the hazards work, isolator is a whole other ball-game that doesn't need to be included in the test? Or am I just thinking
wishfully?
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stevegough
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| posted on 1/7/12 at 09:51 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Just curious about the IVA comment - surely a battery isolator is not part of the IVA test, so all you have to worry about with that is when the
ignition is off the hazards work, isolator is a whole other ball-game that doesn't need to be included in the test? Or am I just thinking
wishfully?
Well, you've answered your own question, really.
No, an isolator isn't needed for the IVA, but if you fit one, the hazards must always be able to work.
(bit daft really, as current is still flowing through wires and a relay behind your dash - its hardly isolated!)
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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Westy1994
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| posted on 1/7/12 at 09:53 PM |
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No, I think you are correct, the whole point as I see it for having an isolation switch is just that - it isolates the entire battery supply from the
rest of the car.
Regarding the IVA part, not sure about as that does not concern my car, but I bet there is a rule about sharp edges  , I was watching a re-run of the
'Racecar is born' series, and I had to laugh at the bit where he gets it ready for the test, putting trim around the rear number plate
bracket....C'mon !!!.
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Westy1994
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| posted on 1/7/12 at 09:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by stevegough
quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
Just curious about the IVA comment - surely a battery isolator is not part of the IVA test, so all you have to worry about with that is when the
ignition is off the hazards work, isolator is a whole other ball-game that doesn't need to be included in the test? Or am I just thinking
wishfully?
Well, you've answered your own question, really.
No, an isolator isn't needed for the IVA, but if you fit one, the hazards must always be able to work.
(bit daft really, as current is still flowing through wires and a relay behind your dash - its hardly isolated!)
So, if you have a switch hidden away somwhere out of sight, I assume the Hazards just need to work as normal - ie with the Ign off.
AS you say, defeats the whole point of the switch otherwise, very odd.
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stevegough
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| posted on 1/7/12 at 10:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Westy1994
No, I think you are correct, the whole point as I see it for having an isolation switch is just that - it isolates the entire battery supply from the
rest of the car.
Regarding the IVA part, not sure about as that does not concern my car, but I bet there is a rule about sharp edges , I was watching a re-run of the
'Racecar is born' series, and I had to laugh at the bit where he gets it ready for the test, putting trim around the rear number plate
bracket....C'mon !!!.
That guy is great at what he does, but you have to remember, its TV - not real life. I agree its bleedin' corny in places!
Now read the true story......just posted by the guy in the know. Kit car
crisis
[Edited on 2/7/12 by stevegough]
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 2/7/12 at 08:40 AM |
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Think I'll just leave it off until after the IVA.
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matt_gsxr
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| posted on 2/7/12 at 08:50 AM |
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For IVA you can cut down one of those red keys (the non-FIA ones are best for this) and slot the top so it only turns with a screwdriver. So now you
need tools to change its state (it is no longer a switch).
Then leave it in the on position for the test.
That is what I did and they were happy.
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stevegough
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| posted on 2/7/12 at 08:57 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by matt_gsxr
For IVA you can cut down one of those red keys (the non-FIA ones are best for this) and slot the top so it only turns with a screwdriver. So now you
need tools to change its state (it is no longer a switch).
Then leave it in the on position for the test.
That is what I did and they were happy.
Sounds like a good idea for the test, Matt - but I have a vision of smoke building up, and frantically hunting in the boot for a screwdriver......I
think I'm leaving my key exactly as big as it is now!
[Edited on 2/7/12 by stevegough]
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 2/7/12 at 09:07 AM |
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Doesnt have to remain cut down...
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Macbeast
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| posted on 2/7/12 at 11:58 AM |
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Just to clarify -
Kitcar Crisis was Mark Raynard- apparently a plonker.
A Car Is Born etc is Mark Evans - all-round good guy.
I'm addicted to brake fluid, but I can stop anytime.
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 2/7/12 at 02:20 PM |
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quote:
Just to clarify - Kitcar Crisis was Mark Raynard- apparently a plonker. A Car Is Born etc is Mark Evans - all-round good guy.
Just to clarify, wrong thread
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Macbeast
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| posted on 3/7/12 at 11:04 AM |
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No it's not :p
" I was watching a re-run of the 'Racecar is born' series, and I had to laugh at the bit where he gets it ready for the test,
putting trim around the rear number plate bracket....C'mon !!!.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That guy is great at what he does, but you have to remember, its TV - not real life. I agree its bleedin' corny in places!
Now read the true story......just posted by the guy in the know. Kit car crisis ""
Reads to me as if he's saying Mark Evans was involved in Kit Car Crisis
I'm addicted to brake fluid, but I can stop anytime.
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Westy1994
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| posted on 3/7/12 at 03:05 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Macbeast
No it's not :p
" I was watching a re-run of the 'Racecar is born' series, and I had to laugh at the bit where he gets it ready for the test,
putting trim around the rear number plate bracket....C'mon !!!.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That guy is great at what he does, but you have to remember, its TV - not real life. I agree its bleedin' corny in places!
Now read the true story......just posted by the guy in the know. Kit car crisis ""
Reads to me as if he's saying Mark Evans was involved in Kit Car Crisis
Have you been smoking something  , I don't see any reference to Mr Evans in that thread at all.
EDIT TO ADD,
Ahhh, I see what you mean now, having just re-read THIS thread as opposed to the Crisis thread, yes in a way you are correct and it does indeed sound
like Mr Evans was something to do with it...which he wasn't..
[Edited on 3/7/12 by Westy1994]
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James
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| posted on 3/7/12 at 04:05 PM |
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If I can cruelly drag this thread back on topic!
Why have you used the switch to isolate the earth rather than the live?
Cheers,
James
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"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
- Muhammad Ali
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 3/7/12 at 04:06 PM |
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WHOOOSH. Right over my head.
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