Main Battery disconnect dead, can I use a generic kind

[BRUISER]

well on my 1983 my main battery disconnect switch does not work and has never worked since i bought the bus.. I was wondering if I was to put a generic battery disconnect in would this help? or is it not worth it.

something like this:

[Jeremy]

It's got to be an advantage to be able to disconnect the batteries without needing spanners - so I would certainly replace the switch. But I wouldn't use that type of crude, sparky knife switch - there are far superior ones available.

Jeremy

[bigjohnkub]

I just put on one from Caterpillar. Keyed and cost about $83.00 from Cat. Part number
7n0718 or Standard DS-249.

Big john

[Brassman]

I use these Cole Hersee switches: http://www.colehersee.com/home/grid/cat/207/ .

[Kwajdiver]

I use one like you have pictured.  Mounted it on the way of the bay.
Works just fine.

Bill

[Jeremy]

I use one like you have pictured.  Mounted it on the way of the bay. [wall?]

That's not nearly so bad - in my opinion it's the fact that the one pictured is designed to be mounted directly on the battery terminal which makes it unsatisfactory. Knife switches lack the 'snap' mechanism which better switches have, and as such are potentially very good at producing sparks; I believe the correct technical term for a switch which produces sparks immediately above a hydrogen source is "A VERY BAD THING".

Jeremy

[Lin]

I think that an equivalent to the original might be available from MCI or Mohawk.  Otherwise, marine switches like this one seem okay. http://www.amazon.com/Perko-9601DP-Marine-Battery-Disconnect/dp/B00144BF9Q/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_2

[luvrbus]

www.texasindustrialelectric.com take your pick but buy one that will carry the starter load if tied to that bank

good luck

[Len Silva]

Without knowing the ratings, that switch appears to be pretty light duty.  I would be looking for something rated at least 300 amps continuous and 1000 amps intermittent.  As pointed out by Jeremy, I would not want a battery mounted switch, because of the spark hazard and because you could not get to it in an emergency where the battery is boiling and spitting hot acid around.

[Uglydog56]

[Iceni John]

My bus has a Cole-Hersee M-705, still working perfectly after twenty-two years.   There is no discernable wear inside it, and it seems to be good quality.   The current (!) C-H model is M-750.   I've mounted mine next to the rear start panel, only a few feet from the batteries and starter, and it doesn't get even slightly warm during starts.

John