Battery Dis-connect

[John H.]

Re: Both

I understand Jack's engineering analysis/comparison of both types, but I've used the "Green Wonder" type on at least seven cars over the last ten years with no problems at all. I turn the knob down tight when it's drive-time, and loosen it about six half-turns when I put it away. I think contact problems occur when folks forget about the "knob" and go to start the car with it not tightened down, but just loose enough to have partial contact - the starter current surge then "arcs" the contacts, burns the surfaces, and high resistance/heat/failure eventually results. Mine have been trouble-free.

[John H.]

Re: Both

I understand Jack's engineering analysis/comparison of both types, but I've used the "Green Wonder" type on at least seven cars over the last ten years with no problems at all. I turn the knob down tight when it's drive-time, and loosen it about six half-turns when I put it away. I think contact problems occur when folks forget about the "knob" and go to start the car with it not tightened down, but just loose enough to have partial contact - the starter current surge then "arcs" the contacts, burns the surfaces, and high resistance/heat/failure eventually results. Mine have been trouble-free.

[Jack H.]

You've got it nailed!

That's the guts of the problem. There is no tactile feedback telling you switch OPEN/CLOSED and it IS possible to get it 'in between' states (like when you're having your car judged, you're in a hurry and a bit nervous).

Remember guys, I never stated you can't make this puppy dog hunt. I simply said it's, at best, a marginal design and the construction (thin plating + 'horns' to focus arcing in the hex head embedded in plastic) is poor/shoddy.

But, IF you keep your wits about you, OR you buy a LARGE brass washer to obviate the poor surface contact design/construction, it will work. I don't for a minute doubt there are those who've gotten good service from their green wonder.

But, once you see a guy 'LOSE IT' on the road, at speed with his wife/child in the car playing dodge 'em games with 18-wheelers sucking up his tail pipes, you'll see it as I do. Life's too short for the potential consequences.... With a few 'fixes' (serraded brass washers), they could solve the problems of no tactile feedback as well as small, ill designed, poorly manufactured (plating too thin) switch surface contact area.

[Jack H.]

You've got it nailed!

That's the guts of the problem. There is no tactile feedback telling you switch OPEN/CLOSED and it IS possible to get it 'in between' states (like when you're having your car judged, you're in a hurry and a bit nervous).

Remember guys, I never stated you can't make this puppy dog hunt. I simply said it's, at best, a marginal design and the construction (thin plating + 'horns' to focus arcing in the hex head embedded in plastic) is poor/shoddy.

But, IF you keep your wits about you, OR you buy a LARGE brass washer to obviate the poor surface contact design/construction, it will work. I don't for a minute doubt there are those who've gotten good service from their green wonder.

But, once you see a guy 'LOSE IT' on the road, at speed with his wife/child in the car playing dodge 'em games with 18-wheelers sucking up his tail pipes, you'll see it as I do. Life's too short for the potential consequences.... With a few 'fixes' (serraded brass washers), they could solve the problems of no tactile feedback as well as small, ill designed, poorly manufactured (plating too thin) switch surface contact area.

[Don Z.]

Re: You've got it nailed!

Appreciate all the feed back regarding the dis-connect switches. Never thought about the possibility of losing it as you were driving. My ole green knob has worked fine but is getting older so I might have to go with the knife type. Thanks again to all.

[Don Z.]

Re: You've got it nailed!

Appreciate all the feed back regarding the dis-connect switches. Never thought about the possibility of losing it as you were driving. My ole green knob has worked fine but is getting older so I might have to go with the knife type. Thanks again to all.

[George J.]

Another Question

In the instructions for the Green Knob it states that it is to be installed on the positive terminal. Please excuse my complete ignorance with regards to electronics, but would it make a difference if it was installed on the negative terminal. I have another car I would like to install one on and the positive terminal is not very accessible. Thanks,

George #31887

[George J.]

Another Question

In the instructions for the Green Knob it states that it is to be installed on the positive terminal. Please excuse my complete ignorance with regards to electronics, but would it make a difference if it was installed on the negative terminal. I have another car I would like to install one on and the positive terminal is not very accessible. Thanks,

George #31887

[Gary S.]

Re: Another Question

Either side works and I believe that this was put in for metal bodied cars. I use my knife blade type on the negative terminal without any difficulty. It is a little easier on that post.
Gary

[Gary S.]

Re: Another Question

Either side works and I believe that this was put in for metal bodied cars. I use my knife blade type on the negative terminal without any difficulty. It is a little easier on that post.
Gary

[Christopher R.]

Re: Another Question

The negative terminal is the right place for the knife blade type switch.

If you were to put it on the positive terminal, that big exposed knife blade would be "live" in your engine compartment. I don't know about you, but wrenches slip from my hands all the time. Depending on what side of the switch you put on the positive terminal, the blade would be "live" even after you threw the switch to the off position.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Another Question

The negative terminal is the right place for the knife blade type switch.

If you were to put it on the positive terminal, that big exposed knife blade would be "live" in your engine compartment. I don't know about you, but wrenches slip from my hands all the time. Depending on what side of the switch you put on the positive terminal, the blade would be "live" even after you threw the switch to the off position.

[Wayne K.]

Re: Another Question

I use the green nob on the negative post because it wouldn't fit the positive.

[Wayne K.]

Re: Another Question

I use the green nob on the negative post because it wouldn't fit the positive.

[Ralph E.]

Re: Another Question

I put mine on the negative terminal per the directions. Also, once the motor has started I always thought you didn't need the battery. I'm assuming you have an alternator not a generator.