Hi
Planning to install a battery master switch this summer incl. a external T-handel pull cable. Any experience on here? Where to place it?
R
I think the original motorsport elises had them underneath the windscreen on the n/s wing but I think this might be best as there’s supposed to be a blanking plate to fit over the top to stop it being played with when not competing.
There is a Motorsport section in Lotus service manual, where master switch position and installation guide is described.
As far as I remember the master switch should be installed under the dashboard and the exterior one use a cable to disactivate the main one.
O thanx, I found it. Looks like Lotus use a master switch relay close to the battery and small switch in side the cabin. The T-handle bar is sticking right up through the top shell.
Not sure this is the way I wanna go. Was thinking more about a master switch close to the battery and the T-bar hidden just under the bonnet.
But, yes. The fact it can be ‘played’ with is a good one. Guess thieves can just shut the alarm of like that. Not good.
(edited) To the Honda Guy’s: I guess just cutting the battery won’t switch of the engine. How would I proceed to have the engine switch off at the same time?
I think my T bar is between the seat backs.
I would recommend fitting a cartek push button electric cut out system. It’s a slightly more expensive option. The T bars have a bad habit of corroding after time and sticking, I’ve failed scrutineering before for this.
Have a look in the project section for my Rally Elise thread, there’s some photos of it fitted in the front access lid and the wiring diagrams.
I’m in the middle of fitting one again on my S2 project car, I had to read my original thread to remind myself how to do it!
My Cartek failed after two years, stopping and starting totally obvious stuff so got a new one under warranty and bought a spare to carry round as its tiny and fairly easy to do…just in case 
I also think there are reliability issues with early Cartek’s. I know a number of people who got the “oh we have never see this before” but got a replacement free of charge. The new ones do seem better.
What’s the purpose of fitting one - are you going racing or just fancy the “racing” look?
Extra safety (especially whilst on track), I would imagine Steve - that’s why I fitted mine.
I’m with Pesky, God forbid, but if you have a ‘big one’ its nice to know ALL the electrics are off
Main reason to do it now is the car is standing long periods of time but need to be moved occasionally so fitting one would make it easier to disconnect the battery. However as I’m doing it anyway I might as well do it good and thus get the extra safety bit of it in as well.
So any idea’s about engine cut off? Wire the fuel pumps along the master switch?
You might have a big red master switch behind the passenger seat with the Honda conversion.
Anyway, if you fit a Cartek, I would pay extra for the GT version, 100% correctly then it will disconnect the earth from battery to chassis which WILL turn everything off regarnless if it’s a Honda conversion or not.
2nd vote for the GT version. Forgot to mention that.
[quote=AndyD]You might have a big red master switch behind the passenger seat with the Honda conversion.
Anyway, if you fit a Cartek, I would pay extra for the GT version, 100% correctly then it will disconnect the earth from battery to chassis which WILL turn everything off regarnless if it’s a Honda conversion or not. [/quote]
3rd vote for the GT version and the use of an electronic kill switch. There is one thing to note though. The Cartek switch itself does pull a small amount of current even when the kill switch is off. So if your down periods are very long and you have a small capacity battery, then there is the possibility of a low battery condition when you go to start the car, but with a current consumption of about 0.03 amps, it’s unlikely.
Under these circumstances would it not be possible to fit a battery charger/conditioner?
or if full motorsport/fia compliance is not required then this might be an option:
dis-car-nect-battery-master-switch
A few people I know have one of those as well as a cartek - simply because the Cartek does drain your battery even when the car is switched off.
I was looking at doing something similar (already have the Cartek fitted)
Here’s a different position:
and browsing ebay this morning came upon this OE LOTUS PART NUMBER A128M6001F:
BATTERY-ISOLATOR-KIT-EV200-ELECTRONIC-KIT
Is it a toyota engine only metal thing?