Dummy load for secret code kill switch
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
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From: Arizona
Dummy load for secret code kill switch
I'm planning out an anti-theft kill switch system for my truck that works on a "secret code," i.e, certain switches have to be in a certain position for the truck to run. Obviously it doesn't behoove me to go into too much detail, but part of my plan involves a switch that, when the thief sets it to the wrong position, will cause a short and trip a circuit breaker.
The easiest way to arrange this would probably be to replace one of the maxi fuses with a manual-reset breaker designed to fit where the fuse goes. But there's a catch: the 20-amp maxi style breakers that I've found have interrupt ratings of around 150-300 amps. If I just wire the switch with a dead short, the breaker will have to interrupt more than 2000 amps (two batteries in my diesel) and probably wreck the breaker.
I think I need a dummy load that will limit the current to somewhere between 30 and 150 amps: enough to trip the breaker but not enough to fry things. Anyone got ideas of what I could use for a dummy load?
The easiest way to arrange this would probably be to replace one of the maxi fuses with a manual-reset breaker designed to fit where the fuse goes. But there's a catch: the 20-amp maxi style breakers that I've found have interrupt ratings of around 150-300 amps. If I just wire the switch with a dead short, the breaker will have to interrupt more than 2000 amps (two batteries in my diesel) and probably wreck the breaker.
I think I need a dummy load that will limit the current to somewhere between 30 and 150 amps: enough to trip the breaker but not enough to fry things. Anyone got ideas of what I could use for a dummy load?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Even making the breaker trip on a overload is going to be hard on it. It will probably be a breaker you need to depend on for some critical circuit, since you are using it to stop the vehicle? I would think of something different besides tripping a breaker.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: 0,0,1
I'm planning out an anti-theft kill switch system for my truck that works on a "secret code," i.e, certain switches have to be in a certain position for the truck to run. Obviously it doesn't behoove me to go into too much detail, but part of my plan involves a switch that, when the thief sets it to the wrong position, will cause a short and trip a circuit breaker.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
From: Arizona
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A DeMarco
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
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Nov 8, 2012 08:40 AM
