Devastator's upgrade

[Piledriver]

Have been looking for an inline ATO fuse block to directly replace my factory setup, finally found these, then with the part# in hand a great example on Pelican parts:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche- ... ation.html

The blocks come in sets of 3 fuses and look similar to DIN rail mount, screw terminal, about the same density as the factory fuse box, a little narrower perhaps.

The distributor sells a 6 and 12 way fuse block at the moment:
http://store.chiefenterprises.com/Produ ... FP-ATO-S12

Cheap too. No cover.

Please buy a decent set of adjustable ratcheting crimpers for this sort of job, and use GOOD 3M or Belkin or good brand name crimp terminals, (the heat shrink/hot glue type if available), the wiring method used in that link is a case of HOW-NOT-TO do it.
You can use the NON-insulated die (with the raised nub) with the heat shrink terminals and adjustable crimpers, makes a bulletproof displacement crimp.

A good crimp is better than anyones soldering job. Always. Soldered wiring is just waiting to break.

[Devastator]

I must admit that I'm not a big fan of crimped connectors or buying $60 crimping pliers. I prefer soldered connections, but probably because I never had expensive crimping pliers to crimp with, and my crimps eventually failed. I'll see if my wiring buddy has some.
I have already purchased a new relay mount, new relays, (60A), and 2 new fuse blocks.
I'll post pictures as soon as possible.

[tikotiko]

Like I said before im not looking forward to the wiring uuuggghhh. Im gonna go with the easiest cheapest probably most ghetto way

[dustymojave]

...
(KISS).

Remember that by using relays you can reduce the work going through the ignition switch. You can even switch the relay on or off by using a switched ground.

"KISS"...

Dev,
you have a switch - to control a relay - to control the other relays - ...

...
I run that same breaker box on my race car, no relays at all, has worked fine for 18 years.

"KISS"...

"Parts not included cannot fail and cost no money."
-- attributed to Charles F. Kettering, co-founder of Delco, inventor of the automobile electric starter, leaded gasoline, the electric cash register and some 140 other patents.

[Piledriver]

Re: Kettering, you forgot the biggee, something that most people use every day... Kettering Ignition.
(Inductive switched ignitions (AKA points/coil) and evolved derivatives used to today, and likely for a long time to come)

You are still better off switching with a sealed relay than a (usually) cheap-ass switch.(this absolutely includes VW ignition switches)
The relay can be swapped in seconds, even just swapped around for troubleshooting, esp if socketed.

[Devastator]

Dev,
you have a switch - to control a relay - to control the other relays - ...

This was EXACTLY my response to my buddy when I'd learned he'd wired my sandrail that way. What do you know, it has now failed.

You are still better off switching with a sealed relay than a (usually) cheap-ass switch.(this absolutely includes VW ignition switches)
The relay can be swapped in seconds, even just swapped around for troubleshooting, esp if socketed.

Agreed! I tried the "wire from battery. to switch, to lights" trick. Bad idea.

[Piledriver]

You have to be careful at the auto parts stores, O'Reillys for instance used to sell "40A" relays for $5 made in China.
For ~$6 they had some made in England.

The extra ~buck buys you much better internal construction and better contacts, even though they have the same rating.
(and a metal mounting tab on the UK made version)

They don't seem to carry them online anymore, but it may be an in-store thing, but better relays are out there.
Even submersible ones.(dust proof)

[Devastator]

GF got me a bead roller for my Birthday, so I made a LED light bar cover. It snaps on and fits nicely.

[Devastator]

I got a great deal on aluminum deck plate, (.062 thick), from my local metal store, so I started a storage rack for oil containers, etc. for my GF's enclosed trailer.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Very cool! I am looking at something like that too along with a combination shear, roller and brake. I currently am looking at a 12" unit but the argument with myself is still going on.

Lee

[Devastator]

I have a 16" hand shear and a 24" finger brake already. I think I need a shrinker/stretcher next. Maybe an English wheel after that. Already planning on building a pneumatic planishing hammer.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

"The first liar never has a chance." Bwahahaha

[bajaherbie]

she sounds like a keeper.

[Devastator]

"The first liar never has a chance." Bwahahaha

she sounds like a keeper.

Absofahreakinlutely! We stay in her RV when we go to the dunes and she has a 2014 RZR1000 to drive there.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I met her and she is is the cats meow. Dev is a very lucky person to say the least.