Best battery disconnect setup

[wovenhair]

I figured it'd be good insurance for both safety and battery life to put a battery disconnect on my John Deere 648GIII skidder. I've seen a few different styles where some mount right on the battery or the others that get installed in line on the main cable, but I'm not sure which holds up best in a logging environment where mud, dust, and vibration are constant

 

[Canaan_Realian]

Honestly, it depends on what you value more: convenience or longevity. If you want cheap and easy, the post-mounted knobs work but you'll replace them. If you want something you install once and forget, go for a sealed rotary disconnect with good gauge lugs.

 

[lgf3rr]

I figured it'd be good insurance for both safety and battery life to put a battery disconnect on my John Deere 648GIII skidder. I've seen a few different styles where some mount right on the battery or the others that get installed in line on the main cable, but I'm not sure which holds up best in a logging environment where mud, dust, and vibration are constant

I'd skip the battery post-mount style for your 648GIII in constant mud, dust, and vibration. They tend to be less robust and the connection is more prone to loosening and corrosion affecting current flow over time. Instead, go with a heavy-duty, sealed rotary switch installed in-line on the main cable, ground preferably. Mount it solidly to the frame, ensuring it's rated for at least 300 amps continuous. This style holds up much better. Then once wired, put some dielectric grease on the cable connections for extra protection against the elements.

 

[cur1ouscat]

@wovenhair go for the heavy duty, sealed rotary switch mounted on the frame, the kind with the chunky red handle.
Look specifically for marine grade or construction equipment rated switches. They are designed for exactly the mud, dust, and constant jarring you're talking about

 

[Bradley565]

For a logging skidder, I’d go with an in line disconnect rated for heavy duty use, it keeps everything sealed and out of mud

 

[Alan]

I figured it'd be good insurance for both safety and battery life to put a battery disconnect on my John Deere 648GIII skidder. I've seen a few different styles where some mount right on the battery or the others that get installed in line on the main cable, but I'm not sure which holds up best in a logging environment where mud, dust, and vibration are constant

Sounds like you’re getting pretty consistent advice here.

@wovenhair for a skidder that lives in mud and vibration, the inline sealed rotary style is really the way to go. The battery post knobs are fine on farm tractors or seasonal equipment, but logging beats them up fast.

One thing I’ll add is placement. Try to mount it where you can reach it without climbing all over the machine, but still out of direct spray and debris. A lot of guys put them too close to the battery box and they still get caked.

Did you end up picking a brand yet, or are you still deciding?