Battery Disconnect Switch

Yinzer

· #2 · Feb 15, 2016

Wouldn't it be easier to just disconnect one of the battery terminals? If it has to be done frequently, keep the proper size wrench in the glove compartment.

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legrandnormand

· #3 · Feb 15, 2016

Yinzer said:
Wouldn't it be easier to just disconnect one of the battery terminals? If it has to be done frequently, keep the proper size wrench in the glove compartment.

Do you know where the battery is installed to write that ...

I did install a switch like this one http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00RMCY9XI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00 and it works just fine and I installed it right under the dash right in the middle; I bought two 25" battery cables at Wall Mart; I removed the existing negative cable, installed the new ones, one between the switch and the frame and the second one from the switch to the negative battery pole.

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jwight

· #4 · Feb 15, 2016

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f77/warning-concerning-towing-your-smart-40261/#post459493 He installed the switch on the front of the car; check his Gallery photos.

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jrpend

· #5 · Feb 16, 2016

Comprose said:
2013 smart cabriolet can be towed four-down, but requires that the battery be disconnected. Anyone suggest (1) type and make of a switch, and (2) where is the best place to locate the switch?
Many thanks,
Mike

I installed a remote controlled switch (latching 12v relay - intelletec from Amazon) in my 2013 Cityflame. The ON/OFF is on the front grill. I thought about doing a key, but decided I had enough darn keys. The push button is marine waterproof switch and it works well.

I embedded my relay in the top of the foam in passenger floorboard above the battery - in retrospect I should have put the relay in the battery compartment itself.

This allows me to lock the doors.

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oldflyer

· #6 · Mar 1, 2016

I installed a switch up under the dash on the pass. side. I used a Summit Racing switch with bracket. It's the common plastic Chinese switch, but I wanted the bracket to give me a better option for mounting. I'll put up a couple of pictures as soon as I meet the minimum posting requirement. And here's the manual link for the switch. (Stupid minimum requirement).
summitracing.com/parts/sum-830054

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jwight

· #7 · Mar 1, 2016

Posting requirement

That actually helps us spot spammers while they build their post count....:wink:

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oldflyer

· #8 · Mar 12, 2016

2

Here are the pictures of my Summit disconnect switch installed under the passenger side dash. I reused the negative battery cable by taping off the end and attaching the cable from the switch with a splice nut.

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ManchVegas

· #9 · Mar 15, 2016

2

Pics from this link. The switch is connected to the negative battery terminal.
Amazon link to the Hella 87181 switch. Amazon link to the Hella 87185 spare key.

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jrpend

· #10 · Apr 6, 2016

Comprose said:
2013 smart cabriolet can be towed four-down, but requires that the battery be disconnected. Anyone suggest (1) type and make of a switch, and (2) where is the best place to locate the switch?
Many thanks,
Mike

In my 2013 Cityflame (Passion?) I installed a remote control battery switch in the foam above the battery.

In retrospect, I think I could have installed it in the battery compartment itself and saved a lot of cable.:shrug:

Story and pictures at Citizens of the Road

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toymaker17

· #11 · Jul 18, 2016

I installed a battery switch in line on the negative cable that you unscrew the knob and it cuts the battery but you have to pick up the carpet and lift the floor. I went through 19 pages the other night on towing on this site and if I can find it again I'll continue. I'd say 80% of the respondents do not use the switch at all, without any problems. I experimented today, pull up parking brake step on the break put trans in neutral and turn of ignition to the 1 position far left and release the brake and the dash light goes out and a few minutes later neutral light goes out and the nothing has to be relearned, so what's the advantage of disconnecting the battery, unless some dimwits didn't follow the process and Smart felt they had to add that in 2009 so the won't have to cover warranty problems. Going to the Keys tomorrow and will keep battery connected and ignition off. I'll just use the bungee cord

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legrandnormand

· #12 · Jul 19, 2016

I'm not certain if the millage won't accumulate if you don't use a disconnect switch !

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ManchVegas

· #13 · Jul 21, 2016

toymaker17 said:
I installed a battery switch in line on the negative cable that you unscrew the knob and it cuts the battery but you have to pick up the carpet and lift the floor. I went through 19 pages the other night on towing on this site and if I can find it again I'll continue. I'd say 80% of the respondents do not use the switch at all, without any problems. I experimented today, pull up parking brake step on the break put trans in neutral and turn of ignition to the 1 position far left and release the brake and the dash light goes out and a few minutes later neutral light goes out and the nothing has to be relearned, so what's the advantage of disconnecting the battery, unless some dimwits didn't follow the process and Smart felt they had to add that in 2009 so the won't have to cover warranty problems. Going to the Keys tomorrow and will keep battery connected and ignition off. I'll just use the bungee cord

some of my posts on the subject:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f77/battery-disconnect-switch-saved-me-44460/#post511713

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f417/manually-locking-smart-42217/#post480513

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f417/battery-disconnect-72041/#post856049

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/fo...ile-flat-towing-99065/index2.html#post1155489

heavy keychain:
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/fo...ile-flat-towing-99065/index3.html#post1163850

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oldflyer

· #14 · Aug 1, 2016

legrandnormand said:
I'm not certain if the millage won't accumulate if you don't use a disconnect switch !

The odometer on my '13 Pure (US version) does not accumulate miles while towing either with or without the battery disconnected. I have read on other posts that some do. Must be a difference in the car versions. I have towed thousands of miles in both modes, so I can't say if disconnecting is necessary. Probably safer to do it. I didn't because I only had one key and it was a hassle to wait for the computer every time I stopped so I could lock and leave. Now that I have a second key, I will use my switch again. Belt and suspenders maybe. YMMV (or kilometers)

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toymaker17

· #15 · Aug 1, 2016

I chickened out and disconnected the battery the on my trip, pain in the but. I have ordered the battery switch with the removable key on amazon. I'll say one thing, I won't even have known the car was behind me if the backup camera wasn't on and my gas mileage didn't even change 9.7 miles per gallon.

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TJ2251

· #16 · Aug 1, 2016

Just putting my two cents worth in. I bought my Passion coupe in '08 and have towed it for seven years and over 10,000 miles without a disconnect switch and have never had any issues. Dash indicator lights go out automatically after about two minutes, and no mileage registers.

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SmartUweb

· #17 · Aug 6, 2016

Nooooooohhh! I installed the same switch, after testing it before. After hooking it into the system, it MECHANICALLY failed (in the ON position). I returned it, got my money back and purchased the following at JEGS Disconnect Switch $20.99 20 Amps 10305 JEGS master. Installed it, it works. Very SOLID metal item!

It looks like the picture. I also purchased the ON OFF disk.

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SmartUweb

· #18 · Aug 6, 2016

I put the switch (all metal $20.99) under the "Hood" - so I can turn it OFF - AFTER locking the car (ready for TOW in NEUTRAL).

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Stephen Dasaro

· #19 · Oct 23, 2016

I installed the solenoid for the Road Master battery disconnect system. When I got to the part where you are to connect the existing "to starter" cable to the new supplied cable that goes to the solenoid I found a proprietary battery connection with an apparently riveted on nut. Who thinks these things up? The thread pattern on this nut doesn't match the supplied coupler and the bolt on the positive battery terminal connector is also permanently affixed and has the same unknown thread pattern. The positive wire to the battery is routed through some sort of connection so I would rather not mess with that either. How do I make this usually easy and uncomplicated connection?
Stephen
2013 City Flame Cabrio

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