On off car battery switch - cable length?

[Dubman]

Hi, My car is Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 (1998), and I'd like to install a battery on / off switch in the interior of the car. My question is: would it be ok to use around 1.5 meter length of normal battery cable? The idea is to connect it to the battery negative terminal and to the existing negative battery wire, extending it to the switch in the car interior, and the reason for the installaton is because I regularly park in an open or semi-open air location where the temperature can fall to -10 C or even lower, and I prefer that there is no drip charging especiallyp for car clock. And I'm worried about start up problems due to the cold. Would these items be suitable?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WINOMO-Bat...tch+winomo&dpPl=1&dpID=31l5pQqBO+L&ref=plSrch
And cable:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/eXODA-Batt...G27RVQ808YX&psc=1&refRID=GKJVYTP68G27RVQ808YX
Thanks

 

[KEV 1 N]

Would a suitable relay not be a better way of doing this? then you would only need a small switch and wiring to the interior of car to isolate the negative side of battery.

 

[Dubman]

How would that installation be done? Actually, I already have the switch mentioned at the end of my post.Thanks

 

[KEV 1 N]

Actually just had a thought, if you were to use a relay, it would need a constant feed to keep it “closed” so the negative is connected. Should this feed or the relay fail during driving, it will be the same as the battery been suddenly disconnected and may be dangerous.
Might be best to stick to your idea of the heavy duty switch, is there any way to put the switch close to the battery? Just to minimise the length of the cable going from battery to swich then back again.

 

[Dubman]

Ok, I haven't calculated exactly, but maybe 1m of extra cable might do it. And even a bit shorter may be possible if I cut the negative battery cable as it passes around the engine, but I thought it would be better / cleaner to make the connection at the negative battery terminal. Could the extra 1 meter of extra cable cause some kind of damage? Thanks

 

[littlespark]

Disconnect any items that use power when not running like the clock.

I think the cold will deteriorate the battery if it’s connected or not.

 

[Dubman]

I don't see any way to disconnect the clock, except by disconnecting the battery. The only other 24/7 power draw I'm aware of is a little red light (where radio goes) . that goes on and off. Thanks

 

[littlespark]

Central locking needs power I guess.

Maybe some kind of battery connection that can clip on and off easily?

Vice grips anyone?

 

[Dubman]

Yes, central locking requires battery. I think a new battery may offer more resistance to cold weather? I'd be reluctant to fit an on /off switch directly on the negative battery terminal in case it would leave some parts of the terminal exposed to accidental touching by the hand.

 

[rsgaz]

Any space to fit a larger Amp-Hour battery with a higher CCA rating? (It's physical size will be bigger)

Disconnecting it doesn't sound a great idea. You'll be typing in the code for the radio and manually tuning stations every time!

Also, on a more serious note, you'll reset the engine's ECU and it will revert to it's default settings and it will have to begin 'learning' from scratch. That might make starting it even harder.

 

[Dubman]

Sorry, I don't remember the CCA on the present battery, but I think it's more than 60 aH, but I don't think a bigger battery would fit in the cradle in any case.

 

[KEV 1 N]

Also, on a more serious note, you'll reset the engine's ECU and it will revert to it's default settings and it will have to begin 'learning' from scratch. That might make starting it even harder.

Yes that’s right, I had a 92 Mini Cooper 1.3 SPI (single point injection) the first one to have fuel injection as opposed to a carb. Every time the battery was disconnected and reconnected the engine would “behave” differently for a while till the ECU got used to things

Dubman, you might have rethink your plans, what about a “smart” trickle charger? They are safe to use whilst battery is connected to car and won’t harm electronics and monitor the battery condition and keep it charged. I used one with my mini and had no bother with it or the battery.

 

[Dubman]

In the case of my Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 (1998), I haven't noticed any difference in the engine due to disconnecting / reconnecting the battery. For example, disconnecting it while doing a recent job.

 

[Strima]

Cold will kill a battery wether it is connected or not.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

When I was a recovery truck driver a few years back.
I tried explaining to a BMW owner about the car forgetting how to run because the battery was flat.
Told him the car would need a full service before it would start, and no his AA membership would not cover a full service at the side of the road.
He was not a happy bunny.