Newbie with power question

**patsfanwilly** · 11-02-2009, 12:34 PM

Hello everyone. Im going through the design of the carputer i just purchased for my truck. I would like some feedback and suggestions on power to the carputer. The basic setup starts like this. 4 gauge streetwires cable to a streetwires distribution block (FBXM68). 8 gauge out to the carputer. My question is should i still put a fuse holder close to the battery or after the distribution block.

**envy** · 11-02-2009, 10:47 PM

Always put a fuse near the battery. That's a must. I also recommend a distribution block that is fused.

**DarquePervert** · 11-03-2009, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by patsfanwilly

My question is should i still put a fuse holder close to the battery or after the distribution block.

Yes and yes.

The fuse near the battery will protect the wire from the battery to the distro block.
The fuse after the distro block will protect the wire from the distro block to the equipment.

In your case, the distro block has fuses for the wires to each component, so you don't need a fuse holder after the distro block. The distro block has that built in.

**patsfanwilly** · 11-03-2009, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Yes and yes.

The fuse near the battery will protect the wire from the battery to the distro block.
The fuse after the distro block will protect the wire from the distro block to the equipment.

In your case, the distro block has fuses for the wires to each component, so you don't need a fuse holder after the distro block. The distro block has that built in.

thanks guys thats kind of what i figured but i wasnt for sure. The other question is what size of fuse should i use at the battery and at the distribution block. Ill be running a mcs Generation 2.0GHz C7 carputer with a Lilliput 629GL.

**soundman98** · 11-03-2009, 09:25 AM

what power supply will you be using?

i really don't think that it will be over 30 amps, but it would be safer to get the fuse rating matched as close to the standard current draw of the devices as possible.

**patsfanwilly** · 11-03-2009, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by soundman98

what power supply will you be using?

i really don't think that it will be over 30 amps, but it would be safer to get the fuse rating matched as close to the standard current draw of the devices as possible.

Ill be using the m2-ATX

**Moysie** · 11-12-2009, 08:37 AM

Hi,

For an installation such as yours i would probably choose a fuse size a few amps under the maximum current rating of the main cable for additional safety, Regardless of the total draw of each device at this point.

The purpose of this fuse is to protect the cable.

At your distribution block however i would match the fusing to the load of each individual device. Also ensuring the correct size of cable is used from the dist block to the device.

Note: THE FUSE MUST ALWAYS BE THE WEAKEST LINK IN THE CIRCUIT