Wiring Products

[Nismo280zEd]

So I've been painfully collecting resources for my wiring project with my Z.

 

I'm trying to use weatherpack style connectors for all the connections in the car, I have my actual source for wire, but the connectors at a good price can be challenging. Also sourcing an ATC style fuse box.

 

Waytek has a mini ATC box that is sealed that I have been looking into using and they also sell the crimps, seals, and some connectors for the weather pack connections, however can somebody recomend other sites that are priced well?

 

-Ed

[Derek]

Hi Ed

I used these Hella fuse boxes.

http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=767

 

I used a 8 position inside the car that replaced my melted factory box then placed 4 and 6 position boxes in various locations on the car. As an example I have a 4 position box up front that fuses my headlights, auxiliary fan and A/C clutch.

 

Derek

[hughdogz]

Hi Nismo280zEd,

 

I tried using one of those ATC boxes. I found out they don't have a common "bus" for the set of fuses. That is, you have to make a separate power source for each fuse. (i.e. they are bunch of single fuses in one block). To make it work, I used a long screw to connect all the "top" terminals together and ran one power wire to it. However, I didn't like the looks of it all that much, and didn't feel it was as safe as it could be.

 

For a power supply, I saw one of Ron Tyler's posts and reverse-engineered his design (after consulting him first ) and came up with this:

 

 

 

 

I use this as my main (75 amp breaker) power supply, then I can run a buss-bar off of one of the circuit breakers to other locations:

 

(Old photo just to give you an idea, I've totally reworked this area now)

 

You can order all the circuit breakers, etc. from waytek.

 

Hope this helped...

[ktm]

Try to find a local electronics store, not Radioshack, but something commercial grade. I have a place I go where I picked up my ATC fuse box (for internal use) that has a common bus. That is, one power wire feeds all of the terminals.

 

As for the weatherpaks, you'll need to order those on-line. I thought about using weatherpaks, but my car never sees inclimate weather and I could not justify their cost right now.

 

Hugh, your wiring embarrasses mine!

[rejracer]

Ed,

I purchased Hella electrial parts from the same company as Derek. I bought the fuse block and relay blocks. I thought the service was excellent when I called them.

 

Relay block:

http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=772

I bought it because it's possible to snap the relay and fuseblocks together.

 

Fuse block:

http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=771

 

As it's configured I now have 8 standard relay slots (3 are used for just the headlights) and 16 Fuse positions. I know I will not use that many fuse positions, but the 8 position in this form factor was very close in price, and I was after the ability to snap them together.

 

I am not terribly pleased with the relay block as the clips that hold in the female terminals do not seem all that secure. I chose them because the relay block and the fuse block will snap together, so I can expand it as needs grow.

 

I buy my weather pack connectors from Innovative wiring:

http://www.innovativewiring.com/PartsPage2/ElectricalConnectorPage.htm

 

 

Here are some pictures of the Fuse/relay block installed in the engine bay. I may change the location, but still not sure on that.

 

 

 

 

If I were to do it again I would probably mount the block in the interior of the vehicle. I would also not have fabricated the base plate from aluminum, rather I would have bought a cutting board from walmart and use that as plastic stock. I think that is a good idea anyway, but I would most likely test it to see how well it stands up to heat and how it burns.

 

-Robert

[superduner]

Not sure if its a good idea to place ellectrical components that can produce a SPARK next to the fuel lines & pump. you NEVER KNOW. someday the line might rip/break or a bit of gas of whatever is left over and BOOM gor yourself fire under the hood.

 

just a thought seen plenty of cars catch on fire on the freeway. oil & gas dont get along well with the smallest of sparks haha.

[Nismo280zEd]

Not sure if its a good idea to place ellectrical components that can produce a SPARK next to the fuel lines & pump. you NEVER KNOW. someday the line might rip/break or a bit of gas of whatever is left over and BOOM gor yourself fire under the hood.

 

just a thought seen plenty of cars catch on fire on the freeway. oil & gas dont get along well with the smallest of sparks haha.

 

 

No laughing matter, my car burned up 5 years ago, thus one of the reason I'm looking to rewire it again. The first time I wired it was to get it going again asap. then I rewired to clean up and add some modifications, Now I have learned even more about wiring and want to do it a third time (and hopefully last time) Nice and tidy with fire retardent looms, I want all the fuses inside the car in one place, I hate going searching for relays and fuses when they go bad.

 

The 75amp power box you made is quite interesting and I like the cleanliness of it. I'm running a maxima alternator though... so I'm putting out a bit more than that.

 

I know pegasus auto racing has some cheap priced fuse panels as well with a central bus.

 

I'm running megasquirt right now with upgraded alt, headlights, additional interior electronics, electric cooling fans, etc.

I want to turn my Z back into my daily driver eventually, I miss it dearly. Thus reliability is a major concern, the weatherpack connectors have proved themself in the industry time and time again, I just want to make sure my fuse panel is just as reliable, no melting, overheating, corroding, etc.

 

Keep the ideas/ sources coming! I'm aware of most of the sites listed but I'm sure other members are not.

 

-Ed