Battery Disconnect Problem

[Clark K.]

Last week, I wanted to drive my '65 Sting Ray. I opened the hood and turned the green knob to reconnect the battery to the electrical system. I got in the car and the electricals were all dead. I got back out, opened the hood, and turned the green knob again, thinking that I must have not turned it all the way "tight". I got back in the seat and turned the key. Nothing, again.

I worried that my battery was dead. In troubleshooting the no start condition, I removed the disconnect unit. When I connected the battery cable directly to the battery (without the knob disconnect unit), everything worked fine. The battery was NOT dead, but fully charged.

That disconnect unit is now sitting on the bench in the garage. Anyone else have the same problem? Can the unit be fixed?
-Clark

[Russ S.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

Clark, The blade type disconnect is a far better style than the knob type.

[Alan D.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

Second Russ's comment!
Take the green apart and clean - you may have that light black build up one can get at the battery terminal

[John F.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

Throw the knob thing in the trash. Blade type is the best!

[Dick W.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

There is a wonderful application for the green knob cut off, it is called a trash can. Purchase a blade cut off and end your problems and worries

[Stuart F.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

I second or third the motion. Scrap it! I've been knob free for 35 years now and loving my blade man.Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

I have had a blade cut off for years with no problem.

[John D.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

Very easy to throw parts in the trash guys.More fun to fix them. I am Mr. Fix it. I have found the green knobs to be "restorable". All they need is a little TLC. Unscrew the the green knob.Take the bolt out. Soak the rest of it in hot water with baking soda. Also the knob assembly and of course the bolt, etc.
I then put it in my ultrasonic cleaner for a couple of minutes and it comes out sparkling clean. Ready for many more years of service. With some care a green knob will last forever. How do I know you ask? Cause I have had one now for over 20 years and it works great. When it acts up I just clean it. No big deal.
True Story. JD

[Timothy B.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

I second John advice on the green knob, I've had one on my 63 for ten years without any problem. Keep the top of the battery properly maintained and some terminal protector around both battery terminals and the knob seems to work fine.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

There is a wonderful application for the green knob cut off, it is called a trash can. Purchase a blade cut off and end your problems and worries

I'm with Dick. I ditched the green knobs on my old Corvettes years ago and "switched" over to the WIRTHCO knife switches. You can buy them through JC Whitney. They come in top and side post configurations. NO problems with the knife switches.

I had many problems with the green knobs. I even melted one on my 54.

Chuck

[Harry S.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

Throw it away and replace it with the blade/guillotine style. Not only does it work better you can also verify visually if you connected or not. The green knob style still leaves it a guess.

[Jim D.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

I must be one of the few lucky ones. I've used the dreaded "Green Knob" shut-offs on all my cars (over 12 of them) for over 30 years and never had a single problem with any of them. The one on my 60 is over 25 years old and still works perfectly.

[Dennis B.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

I have had both types and prefer the blade style. However if you chose to clean and use your green knob again apply some dielectric grease to the mating surfaces including your battery posts. That should extend the service of the green knob.

Dennis Beck

[Gene M.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

The green knob cut out is a bad design. If you want to spend a few minutes to "improve" it, it functions flawlessly. You need to remove the green knob with the metric thread. Locate a 1/8" thick stainless or brass washer that you can thread the hole for the metric thread (M8). The washer OD must be about the same as base of knob. Run the washer up real tight against the knob. This enables good contact with the base mount of the cut off. The current now has a path from cable post thru the washer thru the thread to the base. It is insulated when loose via the nylon liner. Done.....

[Russ S.]

Re: Battery Disconnect Problem

Very easy to throw parts in the trash guys.More fun to fix them. I am Mr. Fix it. I have found the green knobs to be "restorable". All they need is a little TLC. Unscrew the the green knob.Take the bolt out. Soak the rest of it in hot water with baking soda. Also the knob assembly and of course the bolt, etc.
I then put it in my ultrasonic cleaner for a couple of minutes and it comes out sparkling clean. Ready for many more years of service. With some care a green knob will last forever. How do I know you ask? Cause I have had one now for over 20 years and it works great. When it acts up I just clean it. No big deal.
True Story. JD

The biggest issue I have had with the green knob is that when you loosen the knob it doesn't always disconnect. You often have to fiddle with it to make sure it is disconnected. With the blade style their is no question whether or not it is disconnected. It is also quicker to operate.