2002 Battery Quick Disconnect

[Martin Penland Teem]

Has anyone found a battery disconnect that will work in the confined space where the battery resides? Also, with the very peculiar negative battery terminal which is on my 2002 premium? any input appreciated.

Moderator Note- Available on Amazon here- https://amzn.to/2UYzXgq

 

[biddle]

Buy on amazon- https://amzn.to/2UYzXgq

 

[Aznav]

That is an EXCELLENT question! I could not believe the difficulty in just disconnecting the negative terminal.

 

[The Flash]

The battery negative cable where it attaches to the car body is an easy disconnect. Just remove one small bolt.

 

[Aznav]

I'll have to look again but I thought I remembered that the small bolt/nut required the removal of two trunk matts to get at.

 

[highwayghost]

This is the battery disconnect I have mounted in the trunk tire well next to the battery on the negative cable. Just loosen the knob a little to disconnect.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338236430&icep_item=133383287271

 

[Bond007]

Check that your key release is operating properly behind the driver seat. Don’t want you to be locked out of your trunk with no easy way to reconnect the battery.

 

[The Flash]

Why do you want a battery disconnect in the first place? Just by a battery trickle charger.

 

[Mach5]

Why do you want a battery disconnect in the first place? Just by a battery trickle charger.

Probably for safety in case of fire.

 

[JW in Dixie]

That is an EXCELLENT question! I could not believe the difficulty in just disconnecting the negative terminal.

New batt recently. Mech removed the hold down first. Maybe easier that route?

 

[Bond007]

Why do you want a battery disconnect in the first place? Just by a battery trickle charger.

Could be that it’s away from electricity but it also makes a nice theft deterrent.

 

[Aznav]

This is the battery disconnect I have mounted in the trunk tire well next to the battery on the negative cable. Just loosen the knob a little to disconnect.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338236430&icep_item=133383287271

Could you share a picture of that, please?

 

[Frankie the Fink]

I've dealt with the battery disconnect issue for decades on my classic cars. First off, not a fan of those round knob disconnects; I've had several of them fail (not cheap ones either). Secondly, in the retro bird owner's manual it tells you what happens when you disconnect the battery. You have a series of window and engine calibration procedures that are required and then you have to drive the car so it "relearns" the optimal transmission shift points. In addition, if the battery is disconnected too long it can cause more severe problems with the "smart" electronic components. This doesn't even address unloading the trunk and removing the floor panels each time you want to access the switch.

There are remote (keyfob) controlled wireless battery disconnects that would obviate the last issue of access but doesn't do anything for the other issues. In the instance of occasional maintenance or troubleshooting problems, its just as easy to disconnect the battery terminal with a metric socket...

If the car is to be parked long term, leave the battery connected and use a "smart" battery tender on it, you can even use one through the factory cigarette lighter socket in the cockpit and no need to even open the trunk. This is what I do...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

 

[highwayghost]

Could you share a picture of that, please?

The car is still in in storage. I need to get over there soon. I will get a pic and try to post, hopefully Tuesday. No electric at storage so a tender is not an option. Switch has been on 5-6 years and no ill effects. Although getting to it, in the tire well, stupid place for a battery!

 

[JW in Dixie]

The car is still in in storage. I need to get over there soon. I will get a pic and try to post, hopefully Tuesday. No electric at storage so a tender is not an option. Switch has been on 5-6 years and no ill effects. Although getting to it, in the tire well, stupid place for a battery!

Could a tender operate off of a solar thingie?

 

[Frankie the Fink]

There are solar chargers but I have no experience with them.

 

[highwayghost]

I have used some from HF on my boat and it works well. No windows at my storage either.

1.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger

1.5 Watt Solar Battery Charger

www.harborfreight.com

 

[The Flash]

The solar chargers work fine all you need is sunshine.

 

[JW in Dixie]

The solar chargers work fine all you need is sunshine.

Just one of the benefits of living in Dixie!!

 

[highwayghost]

Could you share a picture of that, please?

Finally got there this week to get the pics. Sorry, Pics would not post upright, no matter what way they were rotated as originals.