Battery Cutoff Switch

[TerminatorX5]

I saw bare naked switches as low as $2 a pop at local hardware stores. I would put a search on eBay and wait

[bcredliner]

Here is a source. Hella Battery Cut Off Switch with Heavy Duty Cable | eBay

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

I am not sure if I can reach to either of the battery terminals through the spare wheel's spoke openings... so, that setup probably would not work for me...

Looking at pictures here I now see why. I don't have air suspension, so it looks like the thing under the spare tire for me is not only hollow (vs. for air suspension cars it holds the compressor), but it's also smaller. I think I could fit my hand past that and turn the knob to disconnect, but looking at photos of other cars with air suspension, I agree there does not seem to be enough room.

I will give it a shot next time I take the spare tire out. This Hella thing is nice, but I'd be even happier with a more minimal solution here.

BTW, here's what we're talking about:

But, I now actually think the best solution for me may have been to use one of those quick disconnect switches like this:
Battery Disconnect Switch

It looks like I would be able to reach through the wheel and turn the knob to enable/disable it. I have one of these on my old 911, which I don't drive so much, to keep the battery from discharging too much, and it has worked very well for many years now.

[_XS3C_]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Here is a source. Hella Battery Cut Off Switch with Heavy Duty Cable | eBay

bcredliner, Great find - Thanks . I was looking and looking all day long on E-bay - [usualy searching under the "buy it now" and not "auctions/ bid" .... ]

[upallnight]

Been done before by the man with all the options plus some additional one on his X5.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...dead-road.html

[TerminatorX5]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Been done before by the man with all the options plus some additional one on his X5.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...dead-road.html

I remember that one!!!!

[omodos]

hmmm good point, how does one lock the boot if there is no power? will lock mechanism manually engage? would have been great if the kill off switch cabling could be passed through /under the mat in rear and side panel near the 12v sockets at rear, much easier, but suppose if you had kids jumping around in the rear and kids got curious they could kill the battery whilst you are doing 100 on a motorway, not good i guess

[_XS3C_]

Originally Posted by _XS3C_

Terminator or Anyone else that might know, from where can I get this OE Hella switch WITH THE CABLES ? - [all previously posted links had either ended or sold out ...... I see only the switch with out the cables on E-bay ....] .

just had found this Ebay. seller - [there is 3 avail. .... $28 bucks, but they are used ... ].

Hella Battery Disconnect and 8 Foot Copper Cables | eBay

Originally Posted by _XS3C_

-- wondering how can you close the rear gate when you turn off the power ? - [shipping / long term storage and so on ....]

I guess the only way to close by pwr the rear hatch/gate is by connecting second battery to the jump posts under the hood. That's how I've been locking and storing the X5 - [2k miles in the past 5 years], by removing the batt. from the trunk and using jumper cables at the jump posts under the hood ... [+ small trick with the alarm] ...

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by _XS3C_

just had found this Ebay. seller - [there is 3 avail. .... $28 bucks, but they are used ... ].
Hella Battery Disconnect and 8 Foot Copper Cables | eBay
...

The "used" part is probably not a problem here.
But the 8-foot length might be. You'll want the shortest cables that do the job - based on where you want to mount the switch.

[_XS3C_]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

The "used" part is probably not a problem here.
But the 8-foot length might be. You'll want the shortest cables that do the job - based on where you want to mount the switch.

I guess the seller is counting both cable lengths as 8f in total ....
oldskewel sure I agree shorter cables are better ... [as side exmpl. I tried starting my other cars with the battery out of the car connected by heavy duty jumper cables, but only clicking ... ].


Happy Bimmering & New 2015 Year to ALL !