Dis connect switch

Adger Smith · 01-20-2010, 04:13 AM

I found a spare switch in my junk and was wondering if it was a good one. It was not in any package, just sitting loose in a tool box drawer in the trailer.
The only thing it says is Pollak. So I did a google search. Comes up a http://pollak.thomasnet.com/item/swi...1-302?&seo=110

That shows to be 1000 amp in the ad ,but when you get to the real Specs it calls for 6-36 volt and 180 amp DC.
Is this ok, high enough, for use in our race cars? It seems like I read they were more dependable when they were high capacity. Thoughts???

Dragsinger · 01-20-2010, 08:09 AM

Adger,

That switch is completely up to the job, even more than need for a drag car. The 1000 amp rating is "momentary" thus more than enough capacity for starter draw. The 180 amp continuous rating is well beyond any need of a race car system.

Most starting systems draw less than 250 amps. And when the car is running with every thing on, you generally would not have more than 25 - 35 amp draw. [could be less depending on you components]

Adger Smith · 01-20-2010, 08:47 AM

Larry,
I knew there are some "inadequate" switches out there. I just couldn't figure out why this one was where it was and if it was the good one. I guess I was keeping it in the trailer for a spare and the package got removed. It was good to see you (& your running buddy Glenn) and a room full of "Old Gear Heads" the other day. It was a shame the get together was about the loss of Dennis.
Thanks for the info..

Dragsinger · 01-20-2010, 12:46 PM

The passing of Dennis still weighs heavy with me. He was a rare talent, welder, fabricator, and had one of the best overall knowledge of how/why drag race cars work.

I learned much from him over the time of a 25 year relationship.

The Firebird I have under construction just now will carry some of those lessons learned from Dennis Hurst.

magnumv8 · 01-20-2010, 09:56 PM

Just remember that it is just a "battery" disconnect...if you are running an alternator your vehicle can continue to run even with the switch in the off position after starting....they make a new switch that has an alternator kill terminal on it....tech is supposed to turn the switch off to test that the vehicle WILL die when switched.....

D L RAMBO....

Adger Smith · 01-20-2010, 10:06 PM

The one for the alternator is part # is 51-304... it has 4 poles.

http://pollak.thomasnet.com/item/swi...1-304?&seo=110

01-20-2010, 04:13 AM	#1
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,349 Likes: 435 Liked 677 Times in 261 Posts	Dis connect switch I found a spare switch in my junk and was wondering if it was a good one. It was not in any package, just sitting loose in a tool box drawer in the trailer. The only thing it says is Pollak. So I did a google search. Comes up a http://pollak.thomasnet.com/item/swi...1-302?&seo=110 That shows to be 1000 amp in the ad ,but when you get to the real Specs it calls for 6-36 volt and 180 amp DC. Is this ok, high enough, for use in our race cars? It seems like I read they were more dependable when they were high capacity. Thoughts??? __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

01-20-2010, 08:09 AM	#2
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Dis connect switch Adger, That switch is completely up to the job, even more than need for a drag car. The 1000 amp rating is "momentary" thus more than enough capacity for starter draw. The 180 amp continuous rating is well beyond any need of a race car system. Most starting systems draw less than 250 amps. And when the car is running with every thing on, you generally would not have more than 25 - 35 amp draw. [could be less depending on you components] __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

01-20-2010, 08:47 AM	#3
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,349 Likes: 435 Liked 677 Times in 261 Posts	Re: Dis connect switch Larry, I knew there are some "inadequate" switches out there. I just couldn't figure out why this one was where it was and if it was the good one. I guess I was keeping it in the trailer for a spare and the package got removed. It was good to see you (& your running buddy Glenn) and a room full of "Old Gear Heads" the other day. It was a shame the get together was about the loss of Dennis. Thanks for the info.. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

01-20-2010, 12:46 PM	#4
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Dis connect switch The passing of Dennis still weighs heavy with me. He was a rare talent, welder, fabricator, and had one of the best overall knowledge of how/why drag race cars work. I learned much from him over the time of a 25 year relationship. The Firebird I have under construction just now will carry some of those lessons learned from Dennis Hurst. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

01-20-2010, 09:56 PM	#5
magnumv8 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Coraopolis, Pa. Posts: 172 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dis connect switch Just remember that it is just a "battery" disconnect...if you are running an alternator your vehicle can continue to run even with the switch in the off position after starting....they make a new switch that has an alternator kill terminal on it....tech is supposed to turn the switch off to test that the vehicle WILL die when switched..... D L RAMBO....

01-20-2010, 10:06 PM	#6
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,349 Likes: 435 Liked 677 Times in 261 Posts	Re: Dis connect switch The one for the alternator is part # is 51-304... it has 4 poles. http://pollak.thomasnet.com/item/swi...1-304?&seo=110 __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)