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Old 11-20-2009, 08:39 PM   #14 (permalink)
pstrbrc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NiHaoMike View Post
Make the switch push-off/pull-on just like the emergency disconnects in industrial equipment. Then the instinctive response to an out of control car would be to punch the red button, which would disconnect all power. It would also be the normal power switch so it would be less likely to silently fail closed.
Actually, I've put this kind of "kill switch" in series with the ignition switch on all of my cars. Old racing habit. Never liked the momentary kind, if I want the engine off I want it to stay off. I remember a story of a stock car racer who fitted his car with a "momentary" kill switch, then needed to kill the engine on a road course. Old time days, manual recirculating-ball steering, takes two hands, he kept taking his thumb off the kill switch every time he went back to steering. Provided some real comic relief to the writer of the article in, I think, Circle Track. Since I don't drive ANYTHING that is really stock, and since all modifications have a certain "uncertainty factor", a fire extinguisher and a kill switch are usually early additions.
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'96 Escort LX, now known as "deerslayer"
'84 Merc Grand Marquis, affectionately known as "le barge"
~35,000 mostly 2 lane highway miles a year.

I was born a Rambler man, but with the passing of AMC (sigh), just give me another Ford.

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