Is disconnecting 100 amp fuse like a master shut off?

[reaperman]

This winter in the northland (Minn) has been pretty mild and the ground is mostly bare of snow. With that said, my machine hasn't been used much without snow to plow. I bought a battery maintainer a little while ago and was thinking on keeping plugged into my machine to keep the battery charged in the cold temps and limited usage. I wish bobcats had a master switch to prevent draining. But I was wondering if putting less than one amp to the entire system for a extended period could do possible damage. Then I was thinking if I could just unhooked the cable leading to the 100 amp fuse. But the starter cable would still be attached and perhaps it could feed the system this way. So maybe just taking the positive cable off the battery would be even better, but the alligator clip on the maintainer is too small to fit the battery post. Maybe I'm overthinking too much. Does anyone else use a battery maintainer for long, cold periods of inactivity?

 

[antfarmer2]

I put mine on once a week till green

 

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cut off the alligator clips and put on crimp ring connectors. i like the kind that you hit with a heat gun or a lighter and self seals. just permanently attach it. that way you have a full strong battery all the time.

 

[Phil314]

I'm also in MN. My 1845c is mostly used for plowing my driveway during the winter. This year it has been sitting idle for most of the winter months. I just leave it on a battery tender, so it's always ready to go. Even if you disconnect the battery completely, they still tend to lose charge slow. So drain or not, you still end up having to charge it if it sits. I'd hook up an SAE connector if you don't have easy access to the battery for the regular clips.

 

[TriHonu]

Reaperman, you can add a master disconnect for $10 or less. Google or Ebay "Battery disconnect" and you will find lots of options. I'm also in MN. My Bobcat has been almost unused in the last 6 months. I checked my battery yesterday and it was still fully charged.
If you have significant discharge while stored, I would get the battery tested and also use a good meter and check how much current is flowing with the key off. You could have a minor short somewhere in the wiring.