Breaking the circuit (on either side) between a running alternator and the
battery is NOT a good idea. The alternator is fully capable of generating
enough voltage to fry it's diodes (and possibly even you) when it's load is
suddenly disconnected.
IMO the big advantage of putting the cutoff on the chassis side is that then
you can short either battery terminal to the battery (one at a time) without
damage. If the cutoff is on the hot side, then shorting the hot battery
terminal to the chassis will produce *sparks*.
Randall
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net
> [mailto:shop-talk-owner@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Mark J. Bradakis
> Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2000 11:39 AM
> To: LBC286@aol.com
> Cc: shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Batt. cutoff switch
>
>
>
>
> If you put the cutoff switch on the non-chassis side, the
> alternator or
> generator can still be turning enough to keep the ignition system
> energized, so the motor may keep running. If the cutoff switch has
> connections for also breaking the alternator or generator
> circuit, then
> it can go on that side.
>
> mjb.
>
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