Priority Start Battery Protector
A device that disconnects the battery if you leave your lights on, or
another drain occurs, and the battery becomes weak. It has enough
smarts not to disconnect the battery if you have your hazard lights on
or the engine is running. It automatically resets if you open the
door, push the brake, or similar.
Installation
Installed without much problem. Good directions come with it. Some
additional notes: I suggest that you take out the spare tire and take
off the battery hold-down clamp to get decent access to the ground
terminal. I had to squeeze the Mazda positive battery terminal with
pliers in order for it to get a good grip on the Priority Start
terminal. Before you attach the unit with the provided tie wrap, note
that the cables will only reach if you put it on the smaller side of
the battery (pointing toward the drivers seat). Don't forget the ring
on the negative terminal, as I did the first time. Caution: be very
careful that you do not provide a short (path) between the terminals
of the battery, such as by dropping a conductor (wrench, screwdriver,
...) on them, or by making a conducting pathway from the positive
terminal to any point of the car with the negative terminal cable
still attached.
Evaluation
After reading a seemingly lukewarm review of Priority Start in Miata
Magazine 1997 issue 2, I had my doubts about the effectiveness of this
unit. But when I drove along Florida's coast line to Panama City and
had lunch in a sea food restaurant in Apalachicola, I left my lights
on. When I got back to the car, Priority Start had properly
disconnected the battery. I turned off the light switch and started
the car with no problems at all. The only thing I had to do was
reprogram the radio stations. Beats trying to find a tow truck and
waiting an hour or so for it to show up! So, as far as I am concerned,
the unit has already earned its cost. In view of the inconvenience of
a dead battery and the high cost of replacing the Miata battery, I
think the price of Priority Start is acceptable.
Price
$59.95 from the Dealer Alternative 1-800 359-6957.
Update
The Dealer Alternative increased the price to $75. A nice round
number, but I do not think it is worth it.
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