Battery isolator for lorry

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Jo C

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How easy is it to fit one? My lorry keeps refusing to start in this cold weather so think I need to invest in a new battery and isolator. If they are straight forward to fit OH will do it but if it is complicated I will call in the mechanic. Any experience anyone please? I am fast losing my sense of humour when I have to keep jump starting it every time I need to use it i.e. once a week!
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All you probably need is a new battery.

Have you got anything that might be drawing current from the battery such as a tachograph, fridge etc?

If the new battery still discharges and there is nothing obvious drawing current from it then there must be something drawing current - this could be a break down in the insulation of some of the wireing and an auto electrician would be able to determine what it is.
 
The battery is about 3 years old, the fridge shouldn't be drawing power but I admit I hadn't thought of that. The tacho and radio are isolated (I remove the fuses when the lorry is standing) so I am running out of ideas. Not too sure I could afford an auto electrician it sounds expensive just like everything lorry related.
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Just out of interest where did you get yours from and roughly how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking? They seem to vary hugely in cost from about £7 to about £85.
 
I got one off ebay - really cheap - hubby fitted it and he's not a mechanic and it is easy to put in and out. Had to fit one as part of insurance policy. Only annoying thing is you have to put the radio code in every time you put it back in
 
I may be sounding like a cheap skate here, but instead of insolating your battery why don't you just remove the leads from the battery? I do this when I go on holiday, I leave the leads of my battery on my car.
 
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I may be sounding like a cheap skate here, but instead of insolating your battery why don't you just remove the leads from the battery? I do this when I go on holiday, I leave the leads of my battery on my car.

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On my lorry it would be an absolute pain to do that as I have to climb under the skirts to get to the battery. Its worth spending the cash for ease of use, or I'm just lazy and don't like getting muddy
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I see what you mean, does seem alot easier to install a switch only need to get dirty once then. Ok ill admit it im just a tight arse when it comes to money.
 
Hi Nat1003, as far as I am aware they just effectively switch the battery off so nothing can drain it, also act as an immobilser as you can remove the key to stop anyone switching it back on. I have splashed out and bought one this morning and it cost me £23 for the isolator, connectors, 2 metres of cable oh and a torch as I seem to have misplaced mine! Now I just need to get it fitted. I'll let you know how I get on!
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They work by... you take the live wire from the battery and cut it before it connects to anything. You then reconnect the ends with the switch in the middle. when the switch is on the circut is complete when it is off the circut is broken and therefore no power can be drained.

Very simple and good idea
 
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