[btlalum]

Anyone certain of the location? It appears to be in the trunk of my i5 M60, behind the right rear panel. Just wondered if anyone else had that confirmed? For the i8 (2015-2018...source of the pictures) it was under the front hood (bonnet). The putative one on my i5 looks to be the identical device, which operates by
1.) Unlocking plug disconnection lock (1) and pulling out.
Pull plug (2) for high voltage disconnect apart in the direction of the arrow.

In the disconnected state, it looks like the second picture, with a lockout/tagout through-hole (1) to ensure it doesn't inadvertently get reconnected.

Just wondering if anyone knows for sure. Thanks.

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by btlalum

Anyone certain of the location? It appears to be in the trunk of my i5 M60, behind the right rear panel. Just wondered if anyone else had that confirmed? For the i8 (2015-2018...source of the pictures) it was under the front hood (bonnet). The putative one on my i5 looks to be the identical device, which operates by
1.) Unlocking plug disconnection lock (1) and pulling out.
Pull plug (2) for high voltage disconnect apart in the direction of the arrow.

In the disconnected state, it looks like the second picture, with a lockout/tagout through-hole (1) to ensure it doesn't inadvertently get reconnected.

Just wondering if anyone knows for sure. Thanks.

I’m curious now. What does pulling the plug let you “do” per se? Are there red and blue lights tucked in the front grill? Or does it remove the speed limiter? Just kidding. Assuming battery pack disconnect? 🪫

[RichardInCA]

I don’t see anything about a disconnect but the manual mentions automatic disconnect in the event of an accident:

[btlalum]

No, no red and blue lights I'm betting! On my Tesla, it severed the connection that would enable closure of the high-voltage/power contacts in the traction battery case, thus isolating the rest of the car from the 400V energy source. A good idea for first responders since cutting through or contacting those energized wires would make everything very "exciting". Also it is something that is done if replacing the 12V battery to ensure that it is isolated from the traction battery, which is what recharges it. I assume BMW BEV's are similarly configured.

Early days on i5's, so doesn't seem to be any chatter about how one replaces its 12V battery.

[ToddRGuy]

[QUOTE=RichardInCA;31407363]I don’t see anything about a disconnect but the manual mentions automatic disconnect in the event of an accident:

That’s good information for people to know. I’m assuming they might be inquiring about more catastrophic accidents where perhaps the occupants are unconscious, and the first responders approach an accident scene?

If they can’t get the occupants out easily, they might have to find this device under the hood, perhaps?

[btlalum]

The BEV manufacturers generally provide documents that are incorporated into first responder information that is carried (one hopes) by the entities that might have to work a BEV accident. I've attached a version of BMW's that I found online. It's specific to the i5. It shows that there are TWO means of disconnecting the contactor circuits in order to isolate the 400V traction battery from the rest of the vehicle.

The first is under the hood or bonnet, on the RHS as shown in picture 1. The yellow tag indicates the loop that the first responder would cut, as indicated by the fireman's hat and shown close-up in picture 2.

The second is in the trunk, as I'd surmised in my earlier post, located behind the small access panel on the RHS above the open storage compartment, shown in picture 3. Picture 4 shows a close-up of the switch that can be slid apart and locked-out.

All of this, and more, is basically contained in the PDF that I attached.

Not sure any of this is of importance day to day, but might be worth knowing about "just in case".

[Blue Sky]

I think the second one shown in the trunk is the maintenance one, it’s way too small and fiddly for any kind of emergency response action.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by TLK

I think the second one shown in the trunk is the maintenance one, it’s way too small and fiddly for any kind of emergency response action.

That makes more sense. Same for the lockout hole when it's open. That way if a technician is working on it. or say replacing the battery under the car, none of the systems can be turned on while they are working on them.

[btlalum]

Agreed, the one in the trunk would be used for any maintenance that required isolating the 400V battery. But as the diagram shows, it's also a first responder point as well since they don't fiddle, they simple use wire cutters to sever the HV battery contactor actuation power cables. Makes sense, really, to have an emergency disconnect at either end as BMW does...my 19' Tesla S had it only under the hood, up close to the firewall.