Motorcycle/ATV/PWC Battery Disconnect?

[Caver Dave]

I've got a 2006 Seadoo RXP with a "motorcycle" style/size battery and looking for a faster/easier way to disconnect the leads? Battery is down in the hull with the PITA threaded insert inside the lead terminals on the battery, which is less than simple when up on the trailer... dropping one of the 2 inserts/machine screws into the hull = fawked.

I figured someone would make a set of connectors similar to marine terminals (stud/wingnut) to convert them or a NON-automotive sized disconnect, but can't find any such animal. Would prefer NOT to use an Anderson connector or cut the factory ring-terminal'd leads...

Anyone have constructive ideas or a source?

 

[GCncsuHD]

Was going to suggest an Anderson connector...but...

This is technically made for side terminals, but you might could make it work with your style?
https://www.amazon.com/Side-Battery...sr=8-4&keywords=motorcycle+battery+disconnect

You may be better off running the drag car style disconnect switch with the two studs on the back. Short whip with ring terminals from battery to switch, then hook your stock cable with ring terminal on the switch. Studs may be a little large for your ring terminal though. I think you can buy them in varying amp ratings, which will probably determine how big the stud/overall switch is.

 

[GCncsuHD]

You could also just thread a stud into the battery terminal/captured nut, then a jam nut on top of that, then just do like you said and use a wing nut like a marine battery. Much like the stackup of a bulkhead terminal through a starter housing.

Found a few options with a quick google search

Exactly what you are talking about depending on thread size on your battery
Stud Adapter w/ Wing Nuts for Odyssey Battery

Gives you several options
Buy Battery terminal adapters Odyssey M6 internal thread PA-46 | Louis Motorcycle & Leisure

Could use these with a wing bolt instead of a wing nut.
Twin Power Battery Terminal Adapter Kits 251277

 

[Fabrik8]

What size stud?

What are your actual needs; do you need a disconnect to prevent battery drain, or do you need it to remove the battery for charging?

If you need a disconnect switch, I'd always look first to Blue Sea to see what they've got.

 

[Caver Dave]

Could use these with a wing bolt instead of a wing nut.
Twin Power Battery Terminal Adapter Kits 251277

This might work...

What size stud?

No idea... guessing the current hardware is M6? The battery terminals aren't threaded so could SAE if needed...

What are your actual needs; do you need a disconnect to prevent battery drain, or do you need it to remove the battery for charging?

Yes
A combination of disconnecting to prevent drain *AND* charging (in place without yanking it)... seems the electronics in these things can't withstand charging via a regular charger ("tenders appear to be OK... which I don't have) without letting about $400-$800 worth of smoke out

 

[Fabrik8]

A combination of disconnecting to prevent drain *AND* charging (in place without yanking it)... seems the electronics in these things can't withstand charging via a regular charger ("tenders appear to be OK... which I don't have) without letting about $400-$800 worth of smoke out

Gotcha. I was mostly wondering if you needed something to physically remove the battery, versus just electrically disconnect it. Sounds like an electrical disconnect is all you need.

So here's my recommendation, if you're wanting to do as little modification of the stock electrical system as possible:

1. Get a Blue Sea 6006 switch, which has the very common 3/8" (10mm) terminals and does not have a removable key/lever. Mount it somewhere.
2. Get a single-terminal isolator stud for the current size 1/4" (6mm) battery terminal. Mount it somewhere. Then there is no need to change the terminal size on the OEM battery cable.
   
3. Route the existing M6 battery cable to the isolator stud.
4. Make/buy two short battery cables; one to go between the 6mm isolator stud and the 3/8" battery switch terminal, and another to go between the other 3/8" battery switch terminal and the 6mm battery terminal.
5. Get a small charger meant for small motorcycle batteries like a CTEK CT5 Powersport or whatever, which come with a M6 connection pigtail. Super convenient.
6. Add the M6 charger pigtail between the battery terminals.

Trying to find a decent quality battery disconnect that will have the right sized terminals is going to be difficult, and I'd rather have a known-quality switch (and have to adapt to the terminal size) than get a low quality switch that can leave you stranded on the water.

You could also maybe replace the battery cable between the starter solenoid, etc., which may simplify the connections by replacing the OEM cables instead of adapting between their terminal sizes. Depends on where the power tap for the rest of the system electronics, ECU, etc., is. Don't know the specifics of your PWC so can't say....