Power setup scenario - Suggestions?

**Coeus** · 01-13-2005, 11:03 PM

Ok, too many ideas flying around in my head, so I will let you guys comment/suggest on this idea.

I am going to have an 8 AWG for power and 8 AWG (or so, depends what I have laying around) for ground running from my battery. The power will lead to a distribution block, which will power Opus/PC, inverter (hardwired), radar detector (hardwired), power USB Hub (hardwired). What fuse should I get? One main then several smaller ones?

Now comes the real trick. I want my Opus to control when the power gets turned on to these devices, except the inverter & radar. How would this be accomplish?

Also, I want a switch to control the inverter power, since I might not have it on all the time. I know that inverters get extremely hot, any comments on putting it in the center console, under the pre-fabed compartment?

**kiltjim** · 01-13-2005, 11:34 PM

Ok, I think this is how you should do it:

One wire to a fuse block. Don't worry about the distribution block then several fuse blocks. The individual devices should be fused, and I really couldn't tellyou the ratings for each, without knowing the size. The radar detector should fused no more than 1 amp. The USB hub should be about 2.5 amps.

To turn the USB hub on with the OPUS, you could just put a relay on the power line from the battery, and use the accessory line from the OPUS to turn on the relay. Pretty simple, eh?

To turn on the inverter, I wired a relay right to the power terminal on the inverter. Then a switch running to the relay. I don't think you will be able to put it into the compartment. I have it in a large enclosure in the trunk, and I've had a few problems with overheating. An external fan fixed it pretty quick though.

**Coeus** · 01-14-2005, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by kiltjim

To turn the USB hub on with the OPUS, you could just put a relay on the power line from the battery, and use the accessory line from the OPUS to turn on the relay. Pretty simple, eh?

To turn on the inverter, I wired a relay right to the power terminal on the inverter. Then a switch running to the relay. I don't think you will be able to put it into the compartment. I have it in a large enclosure in the trunk, and I've had a few problems with overheating. An external fan fixed it pretty quick though.

Yea, simple if you understand how relays work. I am going to do some browsing at the12volts.com to see if I can understand everything.

Can you suggest a relay to use in both situations?

I might end up sticking the inverter underneath my seat then, but not sure the size.

**scott_fx** · 01-14-2005, 06:17 PM

relays are simple. it like having a switch but instead of you manually flipping the switch on or off you do it with electricity.

**Coeus** · 01-16-2005, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by kiltjim

To turn on the inverter, I wired a relay right to the power terminal on the inverter. Then a switch running to the relay. I don't think you will be able to put it into the compartment. I have it in a large enclosure in the trunk, and I've had a few problems with overheating. An external fan fixed it pretty quick though.

Why did you wire a switch to a relay instead of a switch to the unit? what switch should I get to make sure it can handle everything?

**KyferEz** · 01-16-2005, 04:30 PM

because you don't have to run high current wires all over the car when you use a relay. You use small wires to control the relay, and the large gauge wires are with the relay close to the item you are controling. It's more efficient, easier to run small wires, and safer.

Its why my CarPC Power Controllers do not have high current relays on board, just as an example.

KyferEz