Automatic low battery disconnect device?

[debit.servus]

I heard these exist however I haven't seen them in any big box or auto parts store I've been to. Where can I acquire a device that automatically disconnects a car or deep cycle battery after it's discharged below a certain percentage? Ideally something like this would simply connect to one of the battery's posts, and measure voltage or another indicator the battery is dying; and disconnect the circuit preventing the battery from running down any further. Does a product exist that does this, because it would save me trouble.

If one exists with a programmable feature where it will disconnect at say, %50 or whatever percentage you feel comfortable with. Please link it.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

These are common in the world of cruising boats. Go to the West Marine site and search on "low voltage disconnect" and a couple of units come up.

Run the same search on Amazon and a bunch of stuff comes up.

Different units have different amp ratings. The Blue Sea Marine unit is rated at 65 amps continuous, 115 amps intermitent. There is a cheaper unit on Amazon rated for 10 amps, but the instructions with it says it can be used to control a relay if you need higher amperages.

Regards
John

 

[c_hasbeen]

When you get a LVD, if you get one that is cheaper but then have to get a relay to handle a heavier current load you will spend more money on a heavy relay and necessary wiring than if you went the heavier LVD from the start.

A lose voltage disconnect (LVD) will pay for it self in added battery life, I have not been around them for a decade or more but the ones i was around you could adjust them with a little screwdriver for your cut off point. then the electronically controlled units were coming into play.
If i remember we set the disconnect point for a 24 VDC system at 20Volts and the reconnect voltage at 25V
I think lorain aand power conversion products was the maker of the power plant that I was familiar with

 

[Belinda2]

PLEASE HELP!!!:
I am going to install a battery cutoff switch- master disconnect on my minivan. Going in a out of the minivan even with using the door on "manual" mode is draining and killing my battery because the door is still "sucked in" with the motor. I have disconnected light bubs, etc. I have had to stop sleeping in the back of the minivan because I was sleeping with the door slightly ajar all night, so I would not have to take out all my winter insulation.
Any thoughts anyone?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

PLEASE HELP!!!:
I am going to install a battery cutoff switch- master disconnect on my minivan. Going in a out of the minivan even with using the door on "manual" mode is draining and killing my battery because the door is still "sucked in" with the motor. I have disconnected light bubs, etc. I have had to stop sleeping in the back of the minivan because I was sleeping with the door slightly ajar all night, so I would not have to take out all my winter insulation.
Any thoughts anyone?

Doing a search on Amazon for "battery disconnect switch" brings up a number of possibilities.  Here's only one such:  http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-ID220S-6...683&sr=1-3&keywords=battery+disconnect+switch

You didn't say what kind of mini-van you have.  Unfortunately, on cars with engine control computers, unhooking the battery causes the computer memory to lose it's current settings.  Some vehicles recover gracefully from this when you hook the battery back up, others can be somewhat more problematical, running poorly while the computer "relearns" the things it forgot when the battery was unhooked. 

On some cars, mechanics have to use a gadget like this: http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-BTE296S-...414380&sr=1-1&keywords=computer+memory+keeper when unhooking the battery under the hood.

You should probably research this aspect on a forum devoted to your particular vehicle, or ask the service department at your vehicle's dealer.

Sometimes there is no easy answer to some of these problems

Regards
John

 

[LeeRevell]

Sounds like a fakling battery.  I often use my 2005 Grand Caravan's electric side and rear doors with little problem.  But my battery has died twice over the years I have owned it.  This is a typical symptom I see when the battery needs replaced.  A retired coworker is having the same trouble with her 2005 GC.

 

[MikeRuth]

PLEASE HELP!!!:
I am going to install a battery cutoff switch- master disconnect on my minivan. Going in a out of the minivan even with using the door on "manual" mode is draining and killing my battery because the door is still "sucked in" with the motor. I have disconnected light bubs, etc. I have had to stop sleeping in the back of the minivan because I was sleeping with the door slightly ajar all night, so I would not have to take out all my winter insulation.
Any thoughts anyone?

Along with what others have said you can look into possibly removing the fuse that supplies that door close "sucked in" feature. 

could be a simple way to solve the problem. 

Mike R

 

[SoulRaven]

I think I would check with the service dept. at the dealer on this one.

 

[Belinda2]

You guys are all great. Thank you so much! My 14 year old "puppy" and I appreciate the air flow now that we can leave the door ajar or open. John, I chose the battery disconnect switch you recommended with the green top. I got it at Pep Boys ( auto parts store) and paid $3 more before I saw your post. " It was easy to put on even for a woman" ---Ha Ha Ha Ha ! My battery is only a year old. It is an Exide battery that came with the vehicle or I would have never picked that brand. The disconnect was handled well with the minivan's electrical and it reset without incident. Really, what WOULD I do without you all?
Thanks again,
Belinda2

 

[MikeRuth]

Awesome and glad to hear that.

Mike R