yellow tape on battery negative terminal

[midgetman]

Especially an early E

My specialist subject - repeating what's been said.........

[Adam43]

My little funny aside, you are right. I don't have my 2007 blue book handy, but JimW's quote says Earth.

Originally Posted by Tony Crossley

I'd have thought that for racing the Battery master switch negated the need for the yellow tape, seeing as that will shut down all electricals.
...
The master switch is a requirement for circuit racing.

Is the master switch a new thing? I can't recall. I know that in my first year of racing we didn't have a master switch. However ever since I've had a master cut off I've still done the yellow tape thing. Apart from anything else it reminds me which is which when the battery lid is on (). Although we've moved the battery round, so sometimes have needed more yellow tape.

[midgetman]

You're right Jim's quote says earth but others seemed to have drifted away.

>>>>>>>I know that in my first year of racing we didn't have a master switch.

You been racing that long? IIRC I've always had a master switch for circuit racing. 'Fact, back in 85 I remember I failed scrutes when I didn't have one on my Aquila.

Earth lead still needs to be identified in case the marshals can get to the battery but not the switch. Belt & braces. And in case the driver didn't wire the diode thingy up to the alternator to cut the sparks when the switch is pulled

[Adam43]

I've only being racing since 2001. Could it have been a series specific rule until recently. Thinking about it I think we put it on out of choice, but I could be wrong. I'll have to look back at some old pictures.

Originally Posted by midgetman

Earth lead still needs to be identified in case the marshals can get to the battery but not the switch. Belt & braces.

Yeah, might as well.

And in case the driver didn't wire the diode thingy up to the alternator to cut the sparks when the switch is pulled

[JimW]

In 1980, Regulation H.1.g required an external cut-off.

But then roll hoops were only recommended!

Jim

[AU N EGL]

We use Red and Black wires here.

Plus all race cars have electrical cut off switch, within easy access of the exterior. Plus an Lighting Bolt decal on the out side of the car nearest the switch.

[Peter Mallett]

I suspect there are people who are colour blind to green, thus yellow is the preferred colour for earth lead identification. Don't think you can be colour blind to yellow but I stand to be corrected.

[jonners]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Don't think you can be colour blind to yellow but I stand to be corrected.

Any comments from the flag marshalls out there...??

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I suspect there are people who are colour blind to green, thus yellow is the preferred colour for earth lead identification. Don't think you can be colour blind to yellow but I stand to be corrected.

Red/Green colour blindness is fairly common.

There's an old saying in the Graphics business "Red and Green should never be seen". Although you can get around it by using different tones.

I think Peter's correct about not being colour blind to yellow, hence the danger flag being yellow.

[Adam43]

You can be colour blind to yellow, but it is much rarer. Practically it makes sense to have yellow and not red and green.

[deadsquirrel]

It's always interesting when you pull the master cutoff switch/pull etc and the petrol pump (or similar) are still merrily pumping fuel...or there are other 'random' onboard systems running. Always gets your attention! Much better to get the battery disconnected and as JimW says, removed from car!

[Al Weyman]

They should be off Dead Squirell, something wrong there I would say they have not got the correct cutout switch if thats the case.

[Tony Crossley]

If the master switch doens't shut down the pumps or other systems then it is not setup to MSA spec and you shouldn't be on the track. Simpe as that!

What is the point in going to the trouble of fitting one if it doesn't do the job?

[JimW]

You would be surprised at how many don't do a proper job. From memory here are examples from the last two or three years (and remember I usually only get to see the small number of significant accidents):

No effect (coin bolted across the terminals)
Video recorder still running (and no, not on its internal battery)
Fuel pump (Maybe two examples - did not stop to investigate)
Lights - at least two examples
PI/dash instrumentation

Usually when you do quiz a driver/team they say the switch is faulty or they really want that bit to work regardless!

And I lose count of those with poor or missing labels.

Walking round the paddock I also notice quite a few with additional wires coming from the live (battery) side of the switch which presumably also bypass it. (I don't usually quiz the driver/team about those - there is a limit to my willingness to interfere. )

Regards

Jim

[woodyracing]

Originally Posted by Alan Raine

Red/Green colour blindness is fairly common.

I dont think people who are colour blind should be playing with wires or flags

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by JimW

PI/dash instrumentation

That's pretty common. I must have seen a dozen or more of them. Also the rear light, which prompted the response "I thought it was important that other vehicles could see the wreckage in the rain".

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by JimW

PI/dash instrumentation

Don't these systems have an internal battery so that in the event of loss of power the data remains safe? They are sealed systems too so very (if not totally) unlikey to cause a spark.

Agreed though that all unsealed (and that means all electrical systems from the Generator and battery, in the car) should be cut by the master switch.

[ss_collins]

yes its a requirement for all competition vehicles its in the blue book - I think common regulations for competitors but I've not got my copy to hand

[GORDON STREETER]

I dont run a charging system, and as the blue book dosen't state what side of the battery the cut out switch should be fitted on, I have it on the earth side. The two batteries are located on their side's either side of the tunnel in the back and completely covered up with a panel , so putting tape on something you can't even see seems a bit pointless. A bit like putting tank tape on wheel weights that we all had to do at one meeting.

[R59]

Originally Posted by deadsquirrel

It's always interesting when you pull the master cutoff switch/pull etc and the petrol pump (or similar) are still merrily pumping fuel...or there are other 'random' onboard systems running. Always gets your attention! Much better to get the battery disconnected and as JimW says, removed from car!

A tad off topic...

I have always found the FIA type switch a complete pain, prone to failure, and a total waste of time. If you connect the alternator direct to the battery (if you have one), that means the alternator always has a load on it, and that won't knacker the regulator. A simple isolator turns everything off.
No nastly ballast resistors to load the alternator. No nasty unreliable switches.

Though the usual bane of the electric switch is water.

Back to topic - modern car battery terminals have short sections specifically designed for the zealous safety marshall's bolt croppers, regardless of yellowing the neg cable.

And as for Red for live, Black for ground.....

European Automotive standard seems to be:

Brown = ground.
Black = ignition live

Hence yellow for ground is a good idea.

Peugeot/Citroen seem to be the only manufacturer that use yellow (with green tracer) for ground on their systems.

Japanese standard. There isn't one. Pick a nice colour from the wire rack and make a loom.