enginerd Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 (edited) What’s your preferred way to power 5+ sensors and accessories from one power switch? I bought some cheap distribution blocks and that solution just isn’t working for me. I want 1) not messy 2) easy to add an additional sensor or two in later years. 3) fewer / shorter wires is better 4) wires should be visible and easy to access… I don’t want to just hide a rat nest behind a panel 5) adequate and simple would be better than a difficult “perfect” solution This is my current switch panel: https://www.jegs.com/i/QuickCar+Racing/635/50-864/10002/-1?gclid=CjwKCAjwo7iiBhAEEiwAsIxQEcmf4HeqhjkUb3EgCsMH4Tc_WyP7fHrnQ7-LgZor1jUamfriewHrCBoC9jIQAvD_BwE Edited April 30 by enginerd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Chris Huggins Posted April 30 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted April 30 https://www.wiringdepot.com/store/p/5029-2455F-6-Position-ATC/ATO-Fuse-Block-with-LED-Indicator-Light.aspx Something like this might work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimS Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 (edited) If price is of no concern I would use a PDM and CAN switches. https://www.haltech.com/product-category/inputs-and-can-expansion-products/ maybe even incorporate the ECU too. Since budget is open. https://www.haltech.com/product/ht-193000-nexus-r3-vcu/ use Tefzel wire to reduce overall bulk of wiring and Deutsch connectors and plugs Edited April 30 by TimS Additional information 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbogrill Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 The switch already has a fuse right? Maybe just a power junction (or 2 since you might run out space if +5): 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wittenauer Racing Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 (edited) Ive been happy with something similar to @Chris Huggins's suggestion. BlueSea systems distribution block with ATO fuses, got the 12 place so I had spares for future. Downside is it's kind of bulky for just a few sensors. I've been considering DIN rail and the corresponding terminal blocks for future builds. Can get 1, 2, or 3 pole terminal blocks, jumpers to create distribution between them, relays that pop right in, etc. Only hold up I have at the moment is concern about how something usually for mounting in stationary industrial equipment will handle the shock and vibe of a racecar. I mean it does fine in CNC's and stamping machines so probably ok? Edited May 1 by Wittenauer Racing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMiskoe Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 This might not be the same brand, but there are lots to choose from. They come up as "automotive buss bars". One big post to power/ground them then a whole bunch of others to make up your own personal rats nest. If you want to fuse the items after your switch panel then something like Chis posted works too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkerekes Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 (edited) Leash electronics makes a bunch of relay boards and you can use negative triggers. Wire all the grounds to one switch, then separate all the powers to each circuit. You gain fuses, relays, and lighted led for testing. You need to ask for negative triggers, or you can still use the positive trigger board with negative triggers but the led lights dont work. I have one of the 6 circuit boards but they make an 8 and 12 versions. Its all motorsport grade and usa made. https://leashelectronics.com/products/pro-6-relay-module They also make some nice fuse blocks, and a bunch of different wiring solutions. Edited May 1 by hkerekes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obscene Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 23 hours ago, enginerd said: This is my current switch panel: https://www.jegs.com/i/QuickCar+Racing/635/50-864/10002/-1?gclid=CjwKCAjwo7iiBhAEEiwAsIxQEcmf4HeqhjkUb3EgCsMH4Tc_WyP7fHrnQ7-LgZor1jUamfriewHrCBoC9jIQAvD_BwE Not helpful for your question, but how do you like this switch panel? I've been seeing some warning signs from my cheap switches and want to move to something more heavy duty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted May 1 Author Report Share Posted May 1 31 minutes ago, obscene said: Not helpful for your question, but how do you like this switch panel? I've been seeing some warning signs from my cheap switches and want to move to something more heavy duty. I’ve use it since 2014 if that helps! The starter button wears and has been replaced twice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tneker Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 Not sure this is what you are looking for as there is no switch. But these fuse blocks work great for easy access and tracing wires as needed. You could always control the hot bus with a switch I guess. And now that I see my 15 amp fuse is in upside down, my OCD will drag me back to the garage to flip it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted May 2 Author Report Share Posted May 2 4 hours ago, tneker said: Not sure this is what you are looking for as there is no switch. But these fuse blocks work great for easy access and tracing wires as needed. You could always control the hot bus with a switch I guess. And now that I see my 15 amp fuse is in upside down, my OCD will drag me back to the garage to flip it. Are you talking about that correctly oriented 51 amp fuse? 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted May 2 Author Report Share Posted May 2 (edited) 4 hours ago, tneker said: Oooooo cable labels. Nice. I see most people mount their boxes and wires on vertical surfaces… mine are mounted to the trans tunnel and get filthy (horizontal surface… dirt falls and lingers?), I think I’ll change that. Edited May 2 by enginerd 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMiskoe Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 You need a label maker that does shrink tube. Trust me, get one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enginerd Posted May 2 Author Report Share Posted May 2 11 hours ago, MMiskoe said: You need a label maker that does shrink tube. Trust me, get one. Link a product Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMiskoe Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JQMFZ6F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 When I rewired my Miata I burned through just shy of 2 rolls of shrink tube. 96" each. Yes there is a lot of waste, but that's still 15' of labels. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimS Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 I used a color system and used a dozen different colors. Just to lazy to use p-touch printer to label everything. I have a hand written print too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmabarone Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 You can also get clear heat shrink and just print onto plain paper in small font 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_e Posted May 4 Report Share Posted May 4 I rewired the entire car and used two of these to clean everything up. If the fuse is blown the light comes on at the blown fuse, everything has its own unique fuse and circuit. In Canada it is Princess Auto, in the US it is Harbour Freight. https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-circuit-standard-blade-fuse-block/product/PA0008684631 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gundy Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 On 5/4/2023 at 2:48 PM, Ron_e said: I rewired the entire car and used two of these to clean everything up. If the fuse is blown the light comes on at the blown fuse, everything has its own unique fuse and circuit. In Canada it is Princess Auto, in the US it is Harbour Freight. https://www.princessauto.com/en/10-circuit-standard-blade-fuse-block/product/PA0008684631 not Harbour Freight in U.S. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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