Quote:
Originally Posted by So_SiMpLe_
So the engine kill button shuts off the engine like when you turn off the key right?
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Mostly - yes. You hold a button down for 1-2 seconds and the engine shuts off. There are many ways to do the wiring, it depends on your engine. It's better than turning the key back and forth since a kill switch doesn't turn the lights and accessories off or reset your computer.
You switch the engine off when you stop at a red light which you
know will stay red for at least another few seconds. Some people turn their engine off when coasting. This has good and bad sides, both safety- and legal-wise. First be comfortable with P&G, then you can start thinking about engine off coasting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by So_SiMpLe_
The alternator cut off is used in the wire that goes to the batery + pole?
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NO!!
That is the thick supply wire and you don't want to touch that. First, the current going through it can be as much as 100A. Second, cycling the supply on and off can damage the voltage regulator (a bunch of electronics that keep the alternator from frying the rest of the car). If you are lucky, then your alternator has a
field wire coming out of it - its current is small and putting a switch or relay on it will give the same (only safer) results as disconnecting the supply. If you're less lucky, then either the alternator doesn't have a field wire, or cutting it doesn't unexcite the field. Then your only hope is replacing the alternator with a unit that can be turned off, or taking it apart and cutting/soldering the internal parts. The latter was done by one if the members here, but I believe he had problems with getting it to work.
In some cars there is a thin wire on the alt, a so called
lamp wire, cutting which won't turn the alternator off. The best way to check is to turn the engine on, turn on all accessories like lights, so you put a load on the engine, then unplug the small wire. If you can hear a change in the engine, then you're golden
Another option is to go totally alternatorless (take off the accessory belt). This requires some sacrifices and planning, but many members have gone down that road and so there is lots of info on it here. This definately works better on older cars without energy-hogging accessories or advanced electronics.
EDIT:
Here is the beginning of AXMonster's odyssey with his self-exciting alternator.