Bristol Kit Car Club and Forum - BKCC

Introduce Yourself Here And Have A Chat => Kit Car Discussion - Click Here => Topic started by: paintman on 21, March, 2016, 07:20:03 PM

Title: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: paintman on 21, March, 2016, 07:20:03 PM
How many of you have fitted electric fuel pumps without installing an inertia switch I wonder???? ::)

Why I say that is I bought one 6 months ago but have only today got-round to fitting it!! :-[ :-[

(http://s23.postimg.org/hw6gc8vl3/WP_20160229_16_54_47_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hw6gc8vl3/)

(http://s16.postimg.org/sfxlfx75t/WP_20160321_18_52_21_Pro.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/sfxlfx75t/)

It can stop you from being cooked alive if your hit unconscious in an accident......something to think about?? ::) ::)
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: Iancider on 21, March, 2016, 08:28:24 PM
Very wise comment. 

I think they are now a standard requirement of the IVA and mine has one.  Should you get a severe bump you need to remember it is there because it can disconnect but is very easily reset by pressing the button on top.

Ian
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: Moleman on 21, March, 2016, 09:42:37 PM
I must admit I don't have one.  ::)
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: paintman on 21, March, 2016, 10:37:11 PM
Naughty boy!!! :o    You would have needed to reset it after hitting those tyres Colin I recon!! ::)

I put the switch inside out of all the muck flying around the engine bay.....also easy for resetting from your
driving seat on track days.... ;)
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: longtimecoming on 22, March, 2016, 12:01:19 AM
After reading the previous comments, I am now the ashamed but proud owner of said switch. Does it need to be fitted in any particular orientation, or just button to the top? I love this club it always gives me another reason to spend money. 
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: paintman on 22, March, 2016, 01:11:46 AM
Quote from: longtimecoming on 22, March, 2016, 12:01:19 AM
After reading the previous comments, I am now the ashamed but proud owner of said switch. Does it need to be fitted in any particular orientation, or just button to the top? I love this club it always gives me another reason to spend money.

Just split the fuel pump wire and connect the inertia switch in-line, it must be mounted vertical...lish, (is that
a word), on a convenient flat surface in the car or on the bulkhead.......simples!!!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: robp on 22, March, 2016, 09:15:29 AM
Quote from: Iancider on 21, March, 2016, 08:28:24 PM

...... is very easily reset by pressing the button on top.


This depends upon where you fit it.  I noticed Paintman has very sensibly fitted his under the dash.  Mine is attached to the chassis near the diff.  It has popped a couple of times on trackdays when I've run over the curbs and left me stranded out on circuit.  I must move it under the dash when I have some spare time.  I'm very glad to have one though and it works.
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: benchmark51 on 22, March, 2016, 09:51:07 AM
My old escort (x reg) had the switch located in the trim panel on the right of the o/s footwell which was reachable. Had a finger size hole so you could reset without removing the trim.
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: longtimecoming on 22, March, 2016, 09:52:12 AM
Quote from: robp on 22, March, 2016, 09:15:29 AM
Quote from: Iancider on 21, March, 2016, 08:28:24 PM

...... is very easily reset by pressing the button on top.

Thanks for that, I think under the dash is a good spot.

This depends upon where you fit it.  I noticed Paintman has very sensibly fitted his under the dash.  Mine is attached to the chassis near the diff.  It has popped a couple of times on trackdays when I've run over the curbs and left me stranded out on circuit.  I must move it under the dash when I have some spare time.  I'm very glad to have one though and it works.
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: Facial Hair Optional on 22, March, 2016, 03:47:45 PM
It's a REALLY good point this Tony. I don't think (as far as I know) that the ASBO has one.

The fuel tank is right at the front on the car the other side of the bulkhead on the passenger side, so this is something I may have to look into. I notice also that my fueltank is not foam filled. Do any of you guys have foam filled tanks?

I recall Mike Bishop had a fuel cut-off switch that Ian spotted and reset when he had his off coming out of Camp Bend at the last big club track day we did last year.
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: longtimecoming on 23, March, 2016, 01:11:46 PM
I've had a reply from a contact within the VOSA office and he could confirm 'no IVA requirement' to fit an inertia switch, but could see no valid reason not too, if only for safety. I've decided to fit one as I'm sure many of you will.
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: Gary RH7 on 23, March, 2016, 01:15:30 PM
Seems like a good idea Tony. Anybody find a good deal?
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: benchmark51 on 23, March, 2016, 01:31:49 PM
I know that Fords fitted them in Escorts, why not use them?
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: paintman on 23, March, 2016, 08:02:53 PM
Quote from: Gary RH7 on 23, March, 2016, 01:15:30 PM
Seems like a good idea Tony. Anybody find a good deal?

I was very lucky.....got it for £12.99 on Ebay!

There was another one there at the same price.

Doesn't matter what it comes off as long as it has the connector and wires still attached, a lot don't and they're
asking £20+ for them.

You could try your local scrappy.....they should know where they are hidden!! ::)
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: longtimecoming on 23, March, 2016, 11:18:21 PM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FUEL-PUMP-INERTIA-CUT-OFF-SWITCH-KITCAR-WESTFIELD-RALLY-RACE-/361513479494?hash=item542be1ed46:g:5doAAOSwsFpWSj0B

This is where I bought mine,
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: paintman on 23, March, 2016, 11:37:20 PM
Yep, that's the one I got......bargain or what? ;) ;)
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: Facial Hair Optional on 24, March, 2016, 02:22:34 PM
Quote from: Gary RH7 on 23, March, 2016, 01:15:30 PM
Seems like a good idea Tony. Anybody find a good deal?

There are loads on ebay from main manufacturer vehicles but I also spotted this one on ebay aimed at kit cars etc...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FUEL-PUMP-INERTIA-CUT-OFF-SWITCH-KITCAR-WESTFIELD-RALLY-RACE-/361513479494?hash=item542be1ed46:g:5doAAOSwsFpWSj0B
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: Facial Hair Optional on 24, March, 2016, 02:24:12 PM
Oops, I see longtimecoming beat me to it on that one!  :)
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: paintman on 24, March, 2016, 05:50:53 PM
Quote from: Facial Hair Optional on 24, March, 2016, 02:22:34 PM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FUEL-PUMP-INERTIA-CUT-OFF-SWITCH-KITCAR-WESTFIELD-RALLY-RACE-/361513479494?hash=item542be1ed46:g:5doAAOSwsFpWSj0B

They're really good value.......if you are thinking of getting one I would grab one now!!

You can't go wrong at that price! ::) ;)
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: sanzomat on 24, March, 2016, 08:25:24 PM
Quote from: Facial Hair Optional on 22, March, 2016, 03:47:45 PM
It's a REALLY good point this Tony. I don't think (as far as I know) that the ASBO has one.


If it uses the standard bike set up it may not have an inertia switch - Bikes tend to use a pendulum type fuel pump cut off on the assumption that if you fall off the bike won't be upright anymore but that won't necessarily be the case on a car depending how you crash it!!!
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: paintman on 24, March, 2016, 11:50:56 PM
Quote from: sanzomat on 24, March, 2016, 08:25:24 PM
If it uses the standard bike set up it may not have an inertia switch - Bikes tend to use a pendulum type fuel pump cut off on the assumption that if you fall off the bike won't be upright anymore but that won't necessarily be the case on a car depending how you crash it!!!

I personally wouldn't like to gamble on that assumption ....... if the cars upside down burning and your trapped it might
be your last thought..... :o :o
Title: Re: Fuel cut-off inertia switch
Post by: Facial Hair Optional on 25, March, 2016, 07:09:11 PM
I'll have to ask the builder and previous owner. It has a new non-bike fuel tank and a Facet pump at the front end that pumps the fuel to a swirl pot at the rear, inside that is I believe the original bike fuel pump. At this stage that is all I know.