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Earthing mod - my effort ;-)

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Old 08 May 2003, 09:09 PM
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Ok with the advice of David re size of cable, connectors, etc i have commenced my earthing mod.

So far all i have done is make up a cable to run from the -ve of the starter motor back to the -ve of the battery, and one from the -ve of the battery to earth point near the passenger headlight.

This allows me to remove the standard earth cable in these locations, as i wanted to replace the -ve terminal block, without butchering the OEM cable.

I have then run a cable from the new -ve terminal block to an 8 way block located on the chasis leg.

Had to stop as my son was begin to use my sockets, spanners, etc on my car, well the paintwork.

Pics so far

New battery terminal

8 way block

Wire connected to starter



Steven
Old 08 May 2003, 09:49 PM
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Jolly Green Monster 2
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That is just too neat, won't work

Needs to be dirty and tatty wire like mine LOL!

Hope it drives a bit smoother??

JGM
Old 08 May 2003, 10:03 PM
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Steven,

where did you get that battery terminal - he said jealously - and can I have one?

rannoch
Old 09 May 2003, 06:31 AM
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dowser
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Make sure your new earth cable is capable of carrying the same current, and is as heat resistant, as the OE stuff.

I'd recommend leaving existing cabling in place and just adding new....there's quite a lot of current drawn through these lines

Richard
Old 09 May 2003, 08:17 AM
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I am reliably informed by Mr Wallis that the cable i am using is far more than capable of coping with the current and heat. It is thicker than the OEM stuff.

Rannoch, i will get you one if you like, let me know.

Simon, neat no way, i think it is messy, David will probably think it is rubbish by his standards

So far car is starting much quicker, but that is more than likely down to the lightened flywheel, which went in on Saturday.

Steven
Old 09 May 2003, 09:52 AM
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AndrewC
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Steven,

I too think this is one of the neatest earthing upgrades I have seen, you are quite brave to remove the existing earth straps but if it works then it is a much neater way to do it.

Go one, let us all know about the new battery terminal?

Andrew...
Old 09 May 2003, 10:12 AM
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I think it is messy, still got more connections to do yet.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/ search for MX03D.

Getting worried about the cable now, allthough i will still rely on David.

Hopefully

Steven

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Old 09 May 2003, 10:41 AM
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Cable is 4 Awg.. more than cabable of carrying over 100A (as measured on my old car hifi system with a clamp meter)

Std Car ground is ****e.. so this way is more than up to it..

If its a prob then there will be a voltage drop..

David
Old 09 May 2003, 11:07 AM
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chiark
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Getting worried about the cable?

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are taking the p, aren't you!

The stuff you took off is three steps up from bell wire. You've replaced it with something that'll cheerfully handle 100A+, and you're worried?

You'll be fine.
Old 09 May 2003, 11:16 AM
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Not worried now, as i said earlier i will rely on David's advice, and of course yours Nick, when it comes to voltage and all that stuf

Will check the link display to see if voltage has dropped.

Steven
Old 09 May 2003, 11:36 AM
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ive started on mine too, due to some dodgy error codes i keep getting.

So far i have justed added a new cable to one of the exisitng points.
I also gave it a good clean as it was covered in ****!

Gonna add a couple more at the weekend.
Old 09 May 2003, 12:02 PM
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Nice one Dan.
Old 09 May 2003, 12:04 PM
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tonka
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Steven If you are still worried about the wire size I have a mate who works at Drax powerstation. He may be able to get you some pylon wires. It only comes in drums of 10 mile lengths though.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Craig
Old 09 May 2003, 12:08 PM
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Sorry for the aspersions But I thought the cable between battery and starter was rather heavy gauge. As long as new cable exceeds old specifications, as it apparently does, no problem.

Richard
Old 09 May 2003, 12:11 PM
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Craig, LOL, where you been

Ricard, no worries

Steven
Old 09 May 2003, 12:24 PM
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I agree with dowser. Although the cable may carry the current without any problems, is the insulation material resistant to engine temperatures, oils, fuels etc.
Some stuff I've used in the past for hi-fi installs has gone brittle and cracked after a year or so !
Old 09 May 2003, 12:26 PM
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ive been using this cable and rockford fosgate since 1998 and mine is fine still so
Old 09 May 2003, 03:38 PM
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tonka
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Work,work,work mate.
will try to get to the next meet.
cheers

Craig
Old 09 May 2003, 05:23 PM
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VinnyP
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Very impressive
If at all possible could you post the specs for the wire, the terminal you used for the earth point and the multi way block, I want to do this but don't want it to pop.

Thanks

Vince
Old 09 May 2003, 05:30 PM
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David_Wallis
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Craig,

100mm Suction Tubing????

Mail me

David
Old 09 May 2003, 06:13 PM
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Vinny i will, when i finish it

Suppose i could start now

All bits were purchased from maplins, see link above.

20 metres of Black (in fact it is brown) 8AWG cable (way too much, but i like to be safe than sorry) part no BZ93B

3 meters of black 4AWG cable (again too much) part no CK17T

1 Multi way Teminal for negative of battery part no MX03D

1 Distribution block (2 4AWG points and 8 8AWG points) part no CN97F

8 Ring terminals 8AWG part no CN93B

1 Ring terminal 4AWG part no CN94C

1 Multi Terminal Cover (Optional) part no DN13P

Some heat shrink, some solder, etc.

1 x 4AWG goes from new battery terminal to starter and 1 x 4AWG goes from new battery terminal to 8 way block.

1 x 8AWG goes from new battery terminal to standard chasis earth above passenger headlight.

Thats it for now, rest to follow.

Steven
Old 09 May 2003, 06:19 PM
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AlanG
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8 Ring terminals 8AWG part no CN93B
So that's where they all went!!

Bought a pack of two on Tuesday, asked them to order a further half dozen packs.
Went in today, dopey turns round and says to me.. "none in the warehouse, won't get them in until 18th June" !!!!

Went to Halfords (Shhh!!!) as a last resort. £4 for a pack of two!!! Aye right!!!

I've asked a mate who owns a hi-fi shop to order terminals from Autoleads, but has anyone any suggestions where to get some, cause i want it out the way sooner rather than later.

Alan
Old 09 May 2003, 06:26 PM
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Alan, to be fair i got 6 of mine from a car hifi store and 2 from Halford, halfords were only £3 for 2. I ordered mine a week last Wednesday, too impatient so bought elsewhere.

Posted the part number here, as they are considerably cheaper from maplins

Rannoch, i have got you a terminal today.

Steven
Old 09 May 2003, 07:11 PM
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Steve thanks

Vince
Old 09 May 2003, 07:18 PM
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VinnyP
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I actually looked at the wire in the Maplin catalogue but they say:

The cable is intended to be used with the distribution block and fuse holders, it is NOT intended to supply starter motors or other car electrical accessories.
Which is what worried me

Vince



[Edited by VinnyP - 5/9/2003 7:20:17 PM]
Old 09 May 2003, 08:16 PM
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You can get all the cable and lug's you require from any decent electrical wholesaler and it will be a lot cheaper
Or if you are an electrician get the parts for nothing!!!!!!

Paul
Old 09 May 2003, 08:50 PM
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Vinny, it is not Supplying any motor parts, it is merely the negative feed back to the battery.

As David said, given that it is used largely in supplying car hi fi systems and other such thinks, which sometimes require massive power, they seem to cope, so they should be fine for the earthing mod process.

After i drove home tonight, i immediately got out and felt the cable from the starter for excessive heat. None what so ever, stone cold. So i am convinced.

If David AND Nick say it is ok, then i have no problem with it whatsoever, they both know their stuff when it comes to electrics and cabling, if that fails then David's dad is the ultimate back up as a knowledge base

Some of the earthing mods i have seen use cable that is just way too thin IMO, and thats my opinion, if you are going to do something, do it right, thats my philosophy, well at least i try to make it so.

Steven
Old 09 May 2003, 08:52 PM
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it is designed for car systems but works fine

its probably more down to the fact people would use 8awg.. and not 4

David
Old 09 May 2003, 09:13 PM
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Ok will order it up

Thanks all

Vince
Old 10 May 2003, 05:57 PM
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tonka............did'nt know you had any mates............

Dremel.


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