how to wire a master disconnect switch?
#1
how to wire a master disconnect switch?
I have just bought a Taylor master disconnect switch, with 4 posts so the alternator dies when the switch is triggered. My question is how to wire the alternator:
~I could take the big red 10gauge wire all the way to the switch at the back of the car, which worries me a bit, having that big live cable twice the length of the car.
~I have heard of switching the trigger wire of the alternator, which would solve the big cable issue: is this a valid way of doing it? On the back of my alternator (2004 Silverado SS, 6.0L LQ9), I have 3 wires: light blue, brown and grey; which one is the trigger wire that needs to be switched?
~Any other thoughts?
Thanks
~I could take the big red 10gauge wire all the way to the switch at the back of the car, which worries me a bit, having that big live cable twice the length of the car.
~I have heard of switching the trigger wire of the alternator, which would solve the big cable issue: is this a valid way of doing it? On the back of my alternator (2004 Silverado SS, 6.0L LQ9), I have 3 wires: light blue, brown and grey; which one is the trigger wire that needs to be switched?
~Any other thoughts?
Thanks
#2
Another question about the wiring of the master switch: does it matter to racing bodies (NHRA or others) care about the way the switch is wired, as long as it kills the alternator?
#5
Presuming that the switch you have has one huge contact w/2 studs, and one small contact w/2 studs? (double pole, single throw) If so, just route your ignition through that small contact. No ignition, no run. No need to worry about the alternator.
Scotty
Scotty
#6
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Generally speaking, you run the main battery through the big terminals, and run something from the alternator (either the output wire or the field/idiot light wire) through the small terminals. Some people use the small terminals to energize a relay inserted in one of the alternator circuits so they don't have to run the alternator wiring all the way to the back of the car.
#7
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If you run the output wire of the alternator through a disconnect switch and then hit the disconnect while the car is running it will burn out the voltage regulator. When you disconnect a running alternator from a battery it tries to keep charging and ends up spiking to 50+ volts which kills the regulator.