MICHAEL,

THE FIRST QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS "WHY ARE YOUR FANS RUNNING FOR FORTY-FIVE MINUTES AFTER SHUT-DOWN???" YOU NEED TO CONSIDER AT WHAT TEMPERATURE YOUR FAN CONTROL THERMOSTATS ARE OPERATING. UNDER ABSOLUTE WORST CONDITIONS, IN AUGUST, MINE MIGHT RUN FOR THREE OR FOUR MINUTES AFTER SHUT-DOWN.

I AGREE WITH BOB P.-- THE OPTIMA BATTERIES ARE REALLY "QUIRKEY" (AN OBVIOUSLY TECHNICAL TERM). THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR "DEEP CYCLING" BUT NOT TOO DEEP . I USE A BANK OF THREE OPTIMAS TO POWER MY TRAILER. AFTER RE-CHARGING SOMETIMES I HAVE POWER AND SOMETIMES I DON'T. ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 MY SATISFACTION LEVEL WITH OPTIMA IS ABOUT A 6.0. (THAT'S ON A "GOOD" DAY - WHEN I HAVE POWER).

BOB ALSO MENTIONED THE ODDYSEY BATTERY. I HAVE ONE IN MY ERA COBRA. MY SATISFACTION LEVEL IS 10.0. THEY ARE JUST A LITTLE PRICEY BUT THEY ARE SMALLER AND BUILT LIKE A BRICK. IT SEEMS THE MORE YOU ABUSE THEM THE BETTER THEY LIKE IT.

NOW FOR BATTERY SWITCHES: THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF A CUT-OUT SWITCH IS TO DISCONNECT "ALL" OF THE BATTERY POWER FROM THE SYSTEM AS A SAFETY CONSIDERATION - - INCLUDING IF NOT ESPECIALLY THE FUEL PUMP(S). FOR THIS REASON YOU WANT THE "SAFETY" CUT-OFF SWITCH LOCATED IN THE "HOT" LEAD OF THE BATTERY AS CLOSE TO THE BATTERY AS YOU CAN GET IT WHILE STILL KEEPING IT ACCESSIBLE TO THE DRIVER WHILE STRAPPED IN. IF YOU WANT A SWITCH FOR "SECURITY" PURPOSES YOU CAN INSTALL A SECOND ONE IN A HIDDEN LOCATION. THE SAFETY SWITCH SHOULD ALSO BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PASSENGER AND TO RESCUE PERSONNELL. BY ALL MEANS IT SHOULD CUT-OFF THE FUEL PUMPS. IT'S ALSO A GOOD IDEA TO INSTALL AND "IMPACT SWITCH" IN THE POWER LEAD TO THE FUEL PUMP SO THAT IN THE EVENT OF A COLISION THAT MAY RENDER THE DRIVER UNCONCIOUS OR INCAPACITATED THE FUEL WILL NOT CONTINUE TO FLOW THROUGH A RUPTURED LINE. FIRE IS AN UGLY THING AND A GASOLINE FIRE IS THE PRINCE OF UGLY. THEREFORE A SECOND BATTERY TO OPERATE THE FUEL PUMP(S) IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK