WirthCo Knife Cut Off Switch

[Chuck G.]

I ordered one for my 69, as I was tired of groping in the dark for the dreaded "green wheel". The problem is that the knife switch will not fit in the battery box and allow the lid to close. Let me elaborate. It will physically fit in the opening, but the switch, in the closed position, sticks up above the top of the battery 1 7/8 inches. When mounted on the front side post position on my 69, the battery door will not close. The door remains open about 1 inch. If later sharks, with the side posts facing rearward tried to use this switch, the door would remain open about 3 inches in the front with the switch in the closed position. I'm using the current repro battery in my car. Looks like I'll be fighting the "green wheel" as I can see no way that the knife switch will work and allow the battery door to close. Chuck

[JAT]

Re: WirthCo Knife Cut Off Switch

What I do which I feel is pretty simple and not any trouble for me is to just lay down on the garage floor and remove the bolt that secures the negative ground cable to the frame, takes less than a minute. Pull the cable back to prevent accidential contact and put the bolt through the negative cable to prevent one of those senior moments trying to remember where it was placed. This works for me.

[Terry M.]

Re: WirthCo Knife Cut Off Switch

Chuck,

I use the knife switch from LGB industries (add on page 44 of Driveline #131) but I would not expect it to be materially different than the Wirth or JC Whitney switch. It will be interesting to see if there is a dimensional difference. When I get to the garage (Br, Br, Br - but I will do this evening before the big snow) I will get some dimensions and post them.

The switch I have works fine with my real R89S battery with the terminals facing the rear. I doubt there is much difference in height of the R89S and the R89W you have, but again I'll make some measurements and post them just to get to the bottom of this.

Terry McManmon

[Jerry Clark]

Re: WirthCo Knife Cut Off Switch

Hi Terry:

As Chuck knows I will also watch with interest for your response, I would like to fit one in my 69 side terminal also.

Jerry

[Terry M.]