The big red switch is what John Bidwell has used on his El Ninja, and recommends in his build books. Others have elected to use the contactor which is a solenoid that closes a very heavy duty set of contacts rated for high amps @ high DC volts.
I have a fuse and a breaker in series on my bike just in case the breaker fails to trip. Cheers, Jeff On Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 11:27 PM, Andrew Wowk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Damon: > > > They can be used as safety devices to switch off full load under fault > conditions. That is their pupose. > > > Based on what Jeff is saying, it appears like they can, but only if they are > set up to self actuate. In summary than, I need to change my setup, and my > idea of a circuit breaker activated clutch cable is totally WRONG!! If this > is true, than it means: > > 1. They can't be an "oh **** disconnect" actuated manually. There's no logic > behind a clutch cable actuated breaker, or any manual activation of a > breaker for that matter. > > 2. They can't be actuated regularly to take over the function of a switch > for energizing the vehicle. > > 3. They must be placed in the circuit, switched on, and left alone, in which > case they are very similar to a fuse. Since a fuse is better (and should > always be used anyway), there's no need for a breaker in its designed-for > operation when using a fuse. And, further, it may be a safety hazard because > it might not break current when one is expecting it to by manual activation. > > Ok, now I understand. I need to rethink some things. I want a full blown > disconnect, i.e., not relying on anything but my own brute force, and some > hefty contacts to break the connection. And I want this to be actuated by > the clutch cable. > > A knife switch would be doable, but difficult to isolate the clutch cable > electrically. I could maybe set it up with some Anderson connectors, and a > mechanically actuated lever to pull them apart. I'd need to multiply the > motion, as the cable doesn't move much. > > The next best thing I was thinking would be to run some extra wire, and > place a big red button (BRB) somewhere near my left hand. I need my right > foot & hand free for the brakes at all times. Something like this: > http://www.evparts.com/prod-SW2514.htm > > Anyway, thanks for pointing that out to me. > > Regards, > Andrew in NM >
