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Power Blocks
Tony I am only three hours behind.
Grant,
Well last night I ordered a plain (0 gauge to 4 gauge) 8way block.
Large brass do-dad with clear plastic around it. That is going to
be my fallback if this other thing doesn't pan out. I agree I don't dig it
either. My thought is to rough it up and paint the damn thing black and
tape up the spider or desolder the LED's. If you look at the auction it
shows the internals of this pretty good I think I will still be able to
distrubute power if all the electronics die.
I guess what I am looking for is a way to monitor consumption and still
solve my distribution problems. The battery drains when it sits. I know
why I have some larger issues in the 87. Is it the fusebox? Is it the
harnesses? Is it something I have time for now? No. I have already
replaced the charging cables, and it has gotten better, but I have a
voltmeter in the car (dedicated) and I can see voltage drop HUGELY when I
have lights, wipers and rear defog on. Common thing in Seattle. Heated
elements are huge draws I know... I don't have a clamp style DC amp probe.
I'd like to monitor current draw with different things on and I am not
really keen about putting a DMM in line and stepping away from the engine
bay. That sounds like a fire waiting to happen. I know the amp draws when
the car is off and I usually don't unplug the ipod/cell chargers. I guess I
am saying that there are many contributing factors.
Which by the way... you mentioned inductive meters aren't cost effective...
I agree but what's in the Callaway. Appears to be a VDO ammeter. How is
that wired? It always reads low. Even on a freshly charged battery. Is it
inductance? It is inline with the fuse box? I don't see very large cables
going there.
Hmmm
Chris
On 11/17/07, GGehrke <ggehrke@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Chris,
>
> I would stay away from stuff like that with "gaudy chrome shells
> and LED spiders" and such. I mean, to a large extent a block of metal
> is a block of metal and it'll do what you need it to do, but I think
> you'll be a lot happier with something more robust. I don't trust
> crap like that - it's made more for homeboy to put on his honda.
>
> Try looking for RV and marine distribution blocks. I remember when
> I was trying to design a really stout electrical system for my rocc, I
> spent a lot of time looking for exactly this type of stuff.
> Eventually I figured out to search for RV and Marine applications and
> I got a lot better results. More likely to be able to live in the
> engine bay if that's something you want as well. I don't know about
> amperage, but I know there are several that will give you voltage. I
> don't think I would want to put an ammeter in line with the main
> battery terminal anyways. It'll just introduce a point of failure at
> a REALLY inopportune spot. Now if you found something that measures
> it by inductance (i.e. without having to put the ammeter in line)
> that'd be awesome, but you're probably not going to find that at a
> consumer level. If you really want amperage, I'd get a seriously
> beefy, dedicated meter and use that. And If it's inline I'd maybe try
> to rig up a failsafe of some sort with a relay bypass. I'd have to
> think hard about that one, but I think it could be done...
>
> -Grant-
>
>
>
> On Nov 17, 2007 8:01 AM, Chris Bennett <scirocco16vr32@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > No but let me ask you a question... was this inside the car? I am
> > thinking of cleaning up my battery terminals and have nothing but
> > starter/alternator going to it with one cable to one of these. I will
> > then connect my primary lead to the fuse block and all my ICE to it.
> > Basically all loads. Question is are one of these things hearty
> > enough to live in an engine bay?
> >
> > I really wish it was basic black though. I am not really all that
> > stoked about that gaudy chrome shell and the LED spider, but it seems
> > to be the only one I can find in the states that will give me realtime
> > amperage and voltage right there. Who knows I may paint the bastage.
> >
> >
> > On 11/17/07, Mark Bednarz <vwsportruck@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > Chris,
> > >
> > > I had something very similar from Monster in my '93 Passat. Have you
> checked
> > > with them?
> > >
> > > -=Mark
> > > '80 Scirocco
> > > '81 Rabbit Sportruck
> > > '00 Dasher Estate
> > >
> > > Chris Bennett <scirocco16vr32@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > Need help/Suggestions...
> > >
> > > I have two large gauge wires for amps and other ICE to the battery and
> > > suddenly find myself in need of a way to redistribute them to the
> > > battery and a few other things. Naturally I have been looking at
> > > fused amp distribution blocks... I found this one in the UK.
> > > Unfortunately I can't find a source in the US. I was thinking of
> > > putting this between the battery and EVERYTHING else on the electrical
> > > system. That way I could monitor power consumption.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> http://www.nexxia.co.uk/CarInstallaccessories/power_distribution_blocks.htm
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Satin Nickel 4 Way AFC Fused Distribution Block with Display
> > >
> > > MT-AFCDVC4
> > > These blocks are ideal for multi amp installations. From the new Range
> > > of Mutant Satin Nickel Accessories, this quality fused power
> > > distribution block will take 4AWG (20mm?) input and provide four 8AWG
> > > (10mm?) outputs and accepts AFC type fuses. It also features a built
> > > in Volt and current meter with digital display. It comes complete with
> > > tough plastic insulating cover which can be removed for easy access to
> > > power connections and fuses.
> > >
> > >
> > > Price ?49.99
> > >
> > > All prices include VAT
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Scirocco-l mailing list
> > > Scirocco-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > 80 Scirocco Callaway Indiana Red
> > 87 Scirocco 16v Tornado Red
> > 04 R32 Reflex Silver
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
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> > Scirocco-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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> >
>
--
80 Scirocco Callaway Indiana Red
87 Scirocco 16v Tornado Red
04 R32 Reflex Silver