Michael Downing Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Am thinking of relocating the switch into the cabin as per Caterham's recommendation for track use. I put two wheels on the bumpy stuff during the last track day and had to be towed back... It looks a straightforward job, I just wondered whether the cable is already long enough or if I'm going to have to extend it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 IMO just bypass it. Sudden loss of power on track is dangerous as well as inconvenient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiddy1 Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I have relocated mine into a draw in the garage, best place for it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted March 7, 2012 Support Team Share Posted March 7, 2012 I have an override switch on the dashboard - simple to wire as all it needs to do is bridge the connections. Override it for track work and still have the safety feature for road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Downing Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Like the idea of an override switch. I'm not keen to completely get rid of it, tempting as the garage drawer option is, but I did wonder about how I'm meant to fiddle with it if it keeps tripping, especially with arm restraints on. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Some switches are more sensitive than others. If yours trips whenever you bounce over a kerb, and you're intending to race the car, then it needs to be dumped or replaced. Otherwise you'll be looking at having your rear basket replaced rather regularly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mankee Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Where does Caterham recommend moving the inertia switch to? I'm pretty sure that mine's already been moved (or originally was) near the fusebox area behind the dash by a previous ower. Whether it actually works or not is another matter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 wow, I'm amazed that bypassing the inertia switch would pass race scrutineering. You might wish you'd kept it when you're upside down in the ditch with a broken fuel line and the fuel pump still on and covering you in fuel! Mine's never triggered unless I remove it from the car and whack it on something. How about getting a new one that's less-sensitive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I've never had one on mine and i think most racers remove them. Unless you're unconscious or have two broken arms there's always the ignition or kill switches. I think the risk of losing drive mid corner is greater than the remote risk of a split fuel line that you can't do anything about, but there won't be any stats to prove it either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesG Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 I relocated mine to the bin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted March 7, 2012 Support Team Share Posted March 7, 2012 I've triggered mine a few times hence the override. One time was on a sprint and the next competitor had to take to the grass at 100mph to avoid me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 If you are doing the Academy I doubt Caterham would be too happy with it bypassed or removed (happy to be corrected if anyone knows different) so best ask the question before going ahead. Moving it to the passenger side of the tunnel makes sense if it has to stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englishmaninwales Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 One time was on a sprint and the next competitor had to take to the grass at 100mph to avoid me I witnessed this episode from the pit wall and I removed my inertia switch the following week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I have been corrected From the Academy regs The standard fuel inertia cut out switch may be removed or relocated. Caterham strongly recommend the relocation to the left hand side of the gear lever mounted on the centre tunnel just in front of the passenger seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Downing Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Quoting Roger Ford: I think the risk of losing drive mid corner is greater than the remote risk of a split fuel line that you can't do anything about, but there won't be any stats to prove it either way. So far: Loss of drive mid-corner due to inertia switch: 1 Split fuel lines: 0 although I don't think that's statistically significant yet. 😬 I'm going to have a go at an override switch as I plan to use the car on the road a reasonable amount, and most B roads aren't lined with marshalls trained to look for the ignition cut-out switch. If that proves a hassle, though, it will come off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I'd clear that with Caterham first. From what I remember, we were told that we could remove the switch completely, or relocate it, but if it was fitted it had to work. A bypass switch wouldn't be allowed if that's the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Another reminder that what constitues safety for a road car doesn't always apply in a race car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Downing Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Quoting Roger Ford: I'd clear that with Caterham first. From what I remember, we were told that we could remove the switch completely, or relocate it, but if it was fitted it had to work. A bypass switch wouldn't be allowed if that's the case. Hmmm. Good point; the regs seem only to offer three options - leave it, move it, or take it out. I'll ask Caterham. Quoting CharlesElliott: Another reminder that what constitues safety for a road car doesn't always apply in a race car. Absolutely. Safety is not a simple linear thing with a sliding scale from "safe" to "ooops". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 If the ECU see's no ignition trigger pulse it cuts the fuel pump feed so the pump would not run contiuously anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 As per a previous post, I was told that if I moved it then having it on the passenger side of the tunnel would probably be the best place - as it would actually be reachable when strapped in by a 6 point harness and a pair of wrist loops. And yes, the loom is already long enough if you just pass it back through the tunnel and up and under the edge of the tunnel cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted March 11, 2012 Share Posted March 11, 2012 Mine is on the passenger side of the tunnel - but mine has only ever tripped in an accident where I wouldn't want to continue. They do vary in sensitivity as several have tripped when cars are running over curbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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