battery isolator

[tonyboyle]

hi everyone
Can i fit a battery isolator switch to the negative/earth side of the battery on my F.
I want to fit a switch and i have i my possession one for the negative terminal
Thanks
tony b

[tonyboyle]

to anyone reading this post
I now have my answer..thanks for looking

tony

[Charless]

I assume the answer is yes you can fit either on the -ve or +ve?

[Geoff.F]

I assume the answer is yes you can fit either on the -ve or +ve?

But you do lose the Alarm Function.
Geoff.F

[Rob Bell]

depends on the reason why you want to fit a battery isolator.

An isolator in the negative will prevent any battery drain. I've simply removed the earth strap on Project Shed while it's been laid up over winter.

If you want to maintain alarm function (and the battery isolator is to prevent theft), then there are other solutions - usually on the positive side of the battery.

[Kasper]

got an isolator on all my MG's including a Mk1 F and a 2005 TF. So there will be no doubt you can.
My cars usually have a battery that will last for about a week, leaving the car in the garage unused. So there is my ground to have one fitted.
Pro:
1. Your battery will not drain, it will last a standstill winter season

Con:
1. No alarm (If you're really bothered by that)
2. You have to open the rear and front lit before getting on your way
3. Depending on the type of radio, you'll lose presets etc.

[talkingcars]

Alternatively you can get a device that restricts power available from the battery to prevent starting.

[Rob Bell]

Kasper, I think you have a power drain - and if anything like mine, it'll be broken wire insulation on the boot lid subloom. Otherwise, I find that I can leave my MGF for weeks without any difficulty...

Alternatively you can get a device that restricts power available from the battery to prevent starting.

Something like this is cheap and popular:



But it won't solve a battery drain unless you remove the fuse!

I'm actually planning to fit one of these to Project Shed when I get around to installing the light-weight race battery:



The race battery has plenty of "welly" to kick start the engine, but the energy storage won't be as great, so likely less tolerant of long periods of disuse. I'll be fitting to the earth side of the battery.

[Kasper]

Alternatively you can get a device that restricts power available from the battery to prevent starting.

The down side of this is that it does not prevent the battery from draining.

[Mike H]

Agree 100% with Kasper, and have an isolator fitted -ve side of battery.

The TF battery, which is only eighteen months old or so, loses enough oopmh in 3-4 weeks, locked and alarmed, to prevent starting. Unlocked and without alarm, probably double the number of weeks.

I've tried unsuccesfully to find the source of any drain, and in the four or five years the isolator has been fitted has prevented any issues (apart from the one time I forgot