low profile battery kill switch replacement?

[John in Santa Cruz]

I wanna get rid of this battery toggle switch on the street side of the U dinette on our E21, and get something relatively low profile that won't accidentically get shut off. I lounge on this side, and its always poking me in the back of my calf.

what's a good alternative switch? most of the quarter turn marine style kill switches I've seen look like they are just too thick and stick up like 2" ...

this noname chinese switch looks like it could be mounted /behind/ the panel but it has no bezel on top to hide the chipped edges that I find are inevitable when drilling a hole in Luan ply. do I cut a smaller hole then carefully widen it with a dremel drum or something ? or maybe cut a thin piece of 'craft' ply to make a bezel and paint it satin black ?

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

I wanna get rid of this battery toggle switch on the street side of the U dinette on our E21, and get something relatively low profile that won't accidentically get shut off. I lounge on this side, and its always poking me in the back of my calf.

what's a good alternative switch? most of the quarter turn marine style kill switches I've seen look like they are just too thick and stick up like 2" ...

this noname chinese switch looks like it could be mounted /behind/ the panel but it has no bezel on top to hide the chipped edges that I find are inevitable when drilling a hole in Luan ply. do I cut a smaller hole then carefully widen it with a dremel drum or something ? or maybe cut a thin piece of 'craft' ply to make a bezel and paint it satin black ?

John the marine switch can be mounted 3 ways , your choice . After I moved ours out from under the table , I chose to surface mount it . Very substantial switch too compared to the original . Pat

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

what's a good alternative switch? most of the quarter turn marine style kill switches I've seen look like they are just too thick and stick up like 2" ...

this noname chinese switch looks like it could be mounted /behind/ the panel but it has no bezel on top to hide the chipped edges that I find are inevitable when drilling a hole in Luan ply. do I cut a smaller hole then carefully widen it with a dremel drum or something ? or maybe cut a thin piece of 'craft' ply to make a bezel and paint it satin black ?

I just used a hole saw with a backing block. Worked not too badly.

Ron

[Centex]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

what's a good alternative switch? most of the quarter turn marine style kill switches I've seen look like they are just too thick and stick up like 2" ...

Note that the Blue Sea switches can be mounted behind a panel through a 2-5/16" hole. It makes for a nice install, though the knob does protrude a bit it is very unlikely to be accidentally turned. Great quality from Blue Sea IME.

Link to type with knob

Link to type with removable key

Link to measured drawing

Link to install instructions

Link to higher amp models with similar mounting option

Edit - ooops, Ron had quicker fingers and a great pic

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

this noname chinese switch looks like it could be mounted /behind/ the panel but it has no bezel on top to hide the chipped edges that I find are inevitable when drilling a hole in Luan ply.

No, you pony up for the correct sized Forstner bit and hold a scrap board against the back side when drilling. For added insurance, you put painters tape (easily removed without damage) on the front where you are drilling, but with a Forstner bit it probably isn’t necessary.

[alanmalk]

I have this Blue Seas switch in my Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MMC914...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Look at the "behind the panel mounting" illustration. Almost nothing protrudes.


Ah, yes. A 3" Forstner bit. A thing of beauty, to be used once, then mounted on the fireplace mantle. Hmmm....
--
Alan

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

I have this Blue Seas switch in my Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MMC914...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Look at the "behind the panel mounting" illustration. Almost nothing protrudes.


Ah, yes. A 3" Forstner bit. A thing of beauty, to be used once, then mounted on the fireplace mantle. Hmmm....
--
Alan

Make sure it's a carbide bit. Can spend lots for those!

[Bobbie54]

Move it inside the bench storage. Voila, no kicking on and off.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

Make sure it's a carbide bit. Can spend lots for those!

There is an unwritten rule in home improvement.

"Its not a good project unless it results in at least one new tool."

A carbide 3" Forstner bit certainly qualifies.

[Greatboatz3]

Gosh, I can't get off the Forum. there is just so much great information.
Thanks to all who contribute, I hope some day to repay the favor.
Jim A.

[Vermilye]

I linked to it in another thread, but thought it might be useful here.

100 amp 1 1/8" insert. Panels with 1 - 6 holes are available from the same supplier.

[citabria90]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

Move it inside the bench storage. Voila, no kicking on and off.

Best idea yet!

Chuck

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I linked to it in another thread, but thought it might be useful here.

100 amp 1 1/8" insert. Panels with 1 - 6 holes are available from the same supplier.

yeah, I just found that one. I like.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by citabria90

Best idea yet!

Chuck

You've probably never had to try and pull glowing hot wires off a battery terminal.

I like my battery disconnect handy and quick to reach.

Ron

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

yeah, I just found that one. I like.

While you're in their website, take a look at these 50 Amp connectors.
https://powerwerx.com/anderson-sb-connectors-sb50-50amp
--
Alan

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

You've probably never had to try and pull glowing hot wires off a battery terminal.

I like my battery disconnect handy and quick to reach.

Ron

Been there - done that. I think I still have that pair of side cutters with the notch burned into it somewhere. That's why all my battery connections are fused at the battery.

[Greatboatz3]

Thanks John and Jon for the Powerwerx info.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

You've probably never had to try and pull glowing hot wires off a battery terminal.

I like my battery disconnect handy and quick to reach.

Ron

It’s pretty easy to lift up a bench cover and get to it as long as it isn’t a bed bench. (And if it is you probably aren’t accidentally kicking the switch.)

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Bobbie54

It’s pretty easy to lift up a bench cover and get to it as long as it isn’t a bed bench. (And if it is you probably aren’t accidentally kicking the switch.)

Well, if you have a dog blanket, maybe a dog, some pillows, and have to get them out of the way, move stuff in the storage area to turn off the switch, not ideal. No thanks, I want my battery shutoff switch instantly accessible. I've seen what a short circuit can do to wires, seen them glow red. Not a time to be digging into a locker to turn off the power.

Yes, the main fuse should take care of a short circuit but I don't put absolute faith in it for all situations.

Ron

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by alanmalk

I have this Blue Seas switch in my Amazon wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MMC914...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Look at the "behind the panel mounting" illustration. Almost nothing protrudes.


Ah, yes. A 3" Forstner bit. A thing of beauty, to be used once, then mounted on the fireplace mantle. Hmmm....
--
Alan

First off, I do not have a mantle as fireplaces are not needed in Florida.
I would have to find some other use for it. Perhaps an anchor for a model boat? Or maybe just take it with me and use it to make irreparable holes in tires of people who piss me off in campgrounds.
And, frequently doing wood projects, I cannot think of many tools I have purchased that haven’t been used multiple times. One that immediately comes to mind is the Dremel, which I purchased for a specific task and I thought after that I would have little use for it. I’m on my second one now because the first one wore out, because I use it often. With a cut off wheel, you can shorten stainless steel bolts. I have purchased various sized Forstner bits over the years for specific projects and now have 6 or 7 of them. And none of them has been consigned to the “I’ll never use that again drawer.”
And a 3-inch bit to install a switch? That’s a rather large switch it would seem. But you could always use the 3-inch Forstner bit to make birdhouses for ravens!
But even a hole saw will make a clean hole usually without chipping if you apply painters tape over the area that will be cut.
I am perfectly satisfied with the battery cut-off switch installed by ETI. It was over a year before it got “accidentally” hit and turned off. I went to Wally-World and found a condiment cup made of thick, clear plastic condiment cup ($0.98), drilled the proper sized hole in its bottom, removed the nut on the switch, slipped the cup over the switch, and reinstalled the nut. No more accidental battery cut-offs. I could see no reason to change the switch, but each one of us has to do what makes us happy.