69 L88 distroyed by fire

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

For those of you who use battery cut offs which do you think are best, knife or rotary switch?

I prefer the knife blade switch. There have been reports of intermittent starter operation with the green knob. YMMV.

I guess I should also mention that as an electrician - operating some very high voltages -- for my safety I prefer to be able to see the opening. Just an old habit I have developed, and the fact that I am here to talk about it proves that it works.

[Robert R.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Yes it is a shame to have any Corvette be destroyed this way.

Terry, some of the green knob switches also come with a 5AMP line for Clocks and Radio. Is this line suggested / recomended to use on C2 or C3s? ..could it also be used on the knife style as well?
Bob

[Jean C.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

The foreign made green knob battery switches (aren't they all?) are IMHO, junk. I had one on my '64 and with the green knob in my hand, all circuits in the car were energized including the alarm horn going full tilt at the Rocky Mountain Regional in Denver inside a parking garage . Sorry guys, my bad . I now have a blade switch installed and as Terry says, I know when the power is on/off.
Best regards,

[Pat M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I have the green knob switch and like it, but Charile's right - you must be careful because sometimes when the knob is loose there can still be a connection. I've gotten used to prying the connection apart, and I just don't feel like a changin'.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Yes it is a shame to have any Corvette be destroyed this way.

Terry, some of the green knob switches also come with a 5AMP line for Clocks and Radio. Is this line suggested / recomended to use on C2 or C3s? ..could it also be used on the knife style as well?
Bob

The purpose of that small auxiliary feed is to keep power to a computer on cars so equipped. Certainly some later C3s (1980 California and all 1981 and 1982) would qualify. There is no need to keep power flowing to the clock or other instruments on any earlier Corvette.
I suppose if one had a later C3 with a computer the small auxiliary feed might be useful on a knife-style switch also. I have never seen a knife-style with that feature, but then I have no reason to look for it.
I can't imagine disconnecting the power from the 2008. All the electronics in that car would just be a chore to reset. Some day I'll have to, no doubt about it -- but the longer I put off that day the happier I will be.

[Houston U.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Tom, not yet. Fire Marshal is collecting all documents and will bring them to my office.

[Stephen B.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I wonder if there's any recommended ways to add fuses to the original harnesses to help your chances?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Tom, not yet. Fire Marshal is collecting all documents and will bring them to my office.

I'd want to inspect the carcass of the car as that may tell you far more than any documents. If the engine stamp pad is still legible it would be an asset.

Patrick

[Jim D.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

To bad sad story. I had a fire on the first car I restored a 1977 MGB. I had laid all the wiring in the engine and dash. Got the engine , lights etc working, turned all off. Couple hours later I was working on the seats at my bench and saw something move. It was accually a fire ball in the engine compartment and under dash. Had to repaint ect...it does happen.

[Tom M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Tom, not yet. Fire Marshal is collecting all documents and will bring them to my office.

Let me know when you find out more about the car

thanks

[Harmon C.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Tom, not yet. Fire Marshal is collecting all documents and will bring them to my office.

I would not say anything about this case or try to help out you could be in for more than you want unless this is what you do all the time then it's just another case.

[Steve L.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

My 73 was barely a yr old when the headlight switch started to smoke. I had some tools with me so I was able to disconnect the battery quick. As I recall, some of the recycled insulation behind the switch began to smoke.

I got another switch and replaced it. I could tell that it was the coils on the swith that controlled the brightness of the panel lights that was destroyed. This coil was exposed at the back of the switch. It got hot and ignited the insulation.

I remember thinking that it was a close call in stopping a huge fire.

I think I kept that switch. Someday I may run across it.
I never trusted the headlight swith since that day.

Steve L
73 coupe since new.

[Ray G.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Hello;

2nd Dukes advice.

Disconnect the Battery, negative cable first.

Hope this helps.
Ray

[Oliver B.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Hum, I just checked and saw that I attached my disconnect (screw) at the positive terminal... (Guess it was better accessible than the "inboard rear" negative terminal)
I never experienced problems... Can there be any?
(You might read from that: I am far from an electrician...)

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Electrically it makes no difference whether the battery disconnect switch is connected to the positive or negative battery terminal.

For years folks have been taught to disconnect the negative terminal first because on metal cars there is no harm done if the wrench contacts the car body while attached to the negative terminal. One needs only to be cautious of the positive battery terminal.

Once the battery disconnect is in position, the chance of contacting the other polarity should be minimal.