Is there an easy way to disable one

Dick, if you mean keep it on the tank, but not have the handle and cable attached, you can take the cable off by pulling it out and insert an "R" clip of the right diameter where the wire goes through the stem. You have to pull pretty hard on the ring to get it pulled out to put the "R" clip in, but that should work if you can find a clip the right wire diameter. That will let it function as if it were just a regular fitting. Not sure how to disengage it otherwise without taking mine apart.