Switches

Post by **ckas** » Wed, 05 Dec 2007, 05:46

Looking to set up emergency disconnects on my motorbike.
This is going to have to be some sort of relay switch given that I dont want my motor power running up the handle bars and back again.

Anyone know of a good place to get switches?

Post by **acmotor** » Thu, 06 Dec 2007, 07:42

What voltage and current are you using ?

Remember, National regs. require (expect) a battery isolator switch as well as any electrical relays.

Post by **ckas** » Fri, 07 Dec 2007, 15:24

72 volts up to 200 amps DC.

Post by **zeva** » Sat, 15 Dec 2007, 05:50

Hi ckas,

There are a few ways you can go with this..

The best/safest way is to use a circuit breaker (e.g shameless advertisement http://zeva.com.au/store.php?product=39), and rig up a pushrod/cable allowing you to trip the lever manually by remote. The advantage here is that you also get the safety of a circuit breaker on your power line!

Another option would be to rig up a little kill switch in series with your ignition circuit, which would then open the main contactor when you flip it. The danger here is that you don't have redundant safety in the power circuit - i.e if your contactor happens to fail closed (e.g contacts weld together - it can happen), you've got problems.. You could do it with two contactors I guess; one switched by the ignition, the other switched by a normally-closed emergency stop button? But as Tuarn (acmotor?) points out you still also need a manual disconnect switch to comply with Aussie regs.

Final possibility, use one of these http://zeva.com.au/store.php?product=38 and either set up a mechanical link for tripping it or mount it at an accessible location in your power circuit.