jozw30

Running ground to block.

1. Can these wires be run through the interior compartment or is it best to go through the floor and down frame?
2. Still looking for a good answer on fusing the positive cable near the battery. Have heard it's a good idea and heard it's not a good idea......

Thanks,

Joe

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Joe,

1. Either way will work, although running them along the frame will be easier.
2. I run the positive cable straight to the starter, no fuse (GM has done this for decades).

If you don't want that long + lead down the frame to be "hot" all the time, you can install a Ford starter relay in the trunk. This is common practice so there should be ample information about it.

Andrew

jozw30

Thanks Andrew, I will research the ford solenoid idea.

Gonna sound really stupid maybe, but if the main cable is not hot all the time, how does power get to the fuse block? Do you then have to run an additional/separate positive to the front of the car?

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Good question, and I honestly don't know. My guess is that you have to run a separate feed to the fuse panel.

Andrew

jozw30

Just for fun, voltage drop in 12' of 1/0 gauge wire on 12vdc 200amp circuit is 0.24v.
In a 2/0 gauge it is 0.19v.

Hardly worth worrying about in this application, I would think.

This is just the wire. I guess we're assuming good connections that don't add resistance.

Marky522

iTrader: (8)

I mentioned above that a 200 AMP fuse is cheap and readily available. http://www.delcity.net/store/MEGA-Fuses/p_800374 I use one on my 5.3 Swapped S10 Blazer, with chassis ground...... sorry, i had to..... havent had an issue with the fuse ever.

- Great suggestion regarding the ford solenoid Project GatTagO, never thought of that and i really like it.

Mark

jozw30

Marky522, is your fuse on the positive or ground side? I've read not to put it in the +.

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Ford had done this for decades. I never really understood it until I started working on my Cougar. Once I figured it out, it made a lot of sense. My battery is in the engine bay, but the only + lead that is always hot is the 6" battery cable that goes from the battery to the solenoid.

Andrew

Marky522

iTrader: (8)

Positive, right at the battery.

Marky522

iTrader: (8)

I was aware that ford had used that setup, just never dawned on me to steal the idea!

Mark

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Electrons don't discriminate between car brands...LOL

Andrew

jozw30

This extra solenoid makes sense, but nobody answered the question about how you get the 12v to the fuse panel that's needed all the time?

Trying to think if my build has any systems or devices that need 12v all the time for memory or clocks and such.

If it does, I'd have to run separate positive for that from the trunk so it doesn't really make sense in that situation.

Am I missing something?

Joe

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

Yes. you'll have to run a power wire for the fuse box from the battery. You will also need to run a pretty decent size wire from the battery to the alternator if you want the battery to charge, so if it were me, I would just run the battery cables to the engine.

jozw30

I'm just going to add the fuse and run the positive wire to the starter. I don't understand the benefit of the solenoid on the 1/0 main wire if I'll have to run a secon, smaller gauge wire and let it be hot all the time anyway?

I'm sure it missing some important point/fact.......

jozw30

Ran 1/0 ground from battery to rear of right head. Is a 1/0 ground from rear of left head to frame good?

Plan to also run a 1/0 from frame to body. That should be good enough, right?

kwhizz

x 100

kwhizz

Yep !!!