FIRE DOWN BELOW !!

[haydn callow]

I thought that might grab your attention.
Having read the recent topic about the Bongo that was written off because of a electrical short behind the dash.
I went out and bought a 2kg fire extingusher to keep in the Bongo and showed the wife how to operate it.

Then !! after a good think I decided that it would probably not be a great deal of use as long as the battery was still connected (turning the ignition may or MAY NOT shut the supply off to the problem area.

I have now fitted a "quick release" terminal to the battery earth post.

The wife has been shown how to open the bonnet and she has practised it untill she can do it with her eyes shut, then a quick flick on the terminal and all electrical supply is shut off.....then fight the fire.....hopefully if this event ever happens ..quick action may save the Bongo from serious damage..

Total cost £2.30.....and it makes isolating the battery when messing about with electrics a snip.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Haydn...very good idea, the battery terminal switch,,,,don't forget to keep a live to the alarm if you're just using it as a thief deterrent ! There used to be a cable-operated battery cut-off...I don't know if they're still around!
Cheers
Helen

[rita]

Why the Wife

The wife has been shown how to open the bonnet and she has practised it untill she can do it with her eyes shut, then a quick flick on the terminal and all electrical supply is shut off.....then fight the fire.....hopefully if this event ever happens ..quick action may save the Bongo from serious damage..

Cheers

[haydn callow]

Why the Wife

The wife has been shown how to open the bonnet and she has practised it untill she can do it with her eyes shut, then a quick flick on the terminal and all electrical supply is shut off.....then fight the fire.....hopefully if this event ever happens ..quick action may save the Bongo from serious damage..

Cheers

Because unfortunatly I have never driven a Bongo or anything else for the past 10 years........as she is ALWAYS the driver and uses the Bongo a lot when I'm not on board.....Simples !!!

[bobngo]

this sounds like a good idea ,but where do we get these quick release things ????

[haydn callow]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Quick-release-bat ... 20b4d4d3c7


Simples !!!

[mikexgough]

this sounds like a good idea ,but where do we get these quick release things ????

Halfords . .............yes Halfords...............do them for £8.99 a pair.... some Trade Counters have them too....

[Ron Miel]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Quick-release-bat ... 20b4d4d3c7


Simples !!!

Read somewhere they shouldn't be used for high current draw starter battery applications. In that eBay listing, they're specifically offered for caravans, trailer tents, motorhomes, boats, etc.(for their leisure batteries only?).

Problem would presumably be that with high current draw across possibly less than perfect (therefore resistive) terminal connections, voltage drops could be significant, and/or significant heat generation could result. A red-hot glowing battery terminal in the open engine area, could perhaps be a recipe for an engine fire in itself - especially if starter voltage drops caused failure to start, and consequent engine flooding.

Imperial fit those quick release terminals as part of their conversions but only to leisure batteries - insurance reasons?

[Jaws]

A pair of these were fitted to my leisure battery when the van was converted BUT both clamps were the same size whereas the positive terminal on most batteries is slightly larger in diameter than the negative. The solution apparently used on the positive clamp was a hammer When I bought a replacement set a few minutes work with a needle file on the pivot holes for the clamping mechanism was needed to make things work as they should.

Clamp up nice and tight and release easily now

[dvisor]

What about something like this as an alternative? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Richbrook-Discarn ... 20b4bd856c

Maybe not as quick "quick release" in event of a fire. I guess if you have leisure battery, you'd want one on that too?

[The Great Pretender]

I thought that might grab your attention.
Having read the recent topic about the Bongo that was written off because of a electrical short behind the dash.
I went out and bought a 2kg fire extingusher to keep in the Bongo and showed the wife how to operate it.

Then !! after a good think I decided that it would probably not be a great deal of use as long as the battery was still connected (turning the ignition may or MAY NOT shut the supply off to the problem area.

I have now fitted a "quick release" terminal to the battery earth post.

The wife has been shown how to open the bonnet and she has practised it untill she can do it with her eyes shut, then a quick flick on the terminal and all electrical supply is shut off.....then fight the fire.....hopefully if this event ever happens ..quick action may save the Bongo from serious damage..

Total cost £2.30.....and it makes isolating the battery when messing about with electrics a snip.

Red hot terminals and the Wife's pinkies don't mix..................
A fusible link that melts and cuts power will probably offer a better solution unless you want to spend a long time in the dog house.

[haydn callow]

All good comments.......having said that the one I have used is a very good tight fit......cannot move it at all when "clamped" I will stick with it.

[Diplomat]

What about something like this as an alternative? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Richbrook-Discarn ... 20b4bd856c

I followed dvisor's link and was amused to read

The Fuse Link, if fitted, will bridge the switch and maintain power to ancilleries eg radio memories, alarm systems etc. But will blow if a thief tries to start the car when the black knob is removed. If this happens simply replace the knob and off you go...replace the fuse at your convenience

A polite way of saying that you will forget that you have disconnected the battery and will blow the fuse when trying to start it!



When I was my Dad's teenage bosun we had a similar device on the boat's starter battery. It was similar looking to the Richbrook but was not removable, just a quarter turn on/off.

Each time we returned from a trip and moored we had a checklist, in order of importance: Plate up, rudder up. Petrol off, gas off. Battery off, b****r off.


Frank

[mikexgough]

A lot of modern cars use quick release battery connectors........ Our Citroen has them...... well they wouldn't want to give their technicians too much spanner work to do....

[bobngo]

thanks hadyn, order placed