liquid_smoke

First off, i did a search. I also have the manual. I just need some clarification of something i read in the manual.

On page 3 General Wireing Guidelines

It says to use half loop to prevent cable/connector stress.

What is a half loop??

By no means am i a electrical guy, i can put a computer together in my sleep, but as soon as you start talking about cars, im lost.

Do i have to install the PSU inside the computer case, I dont plan on taking it out of its metal houseing, but is it ok for it to just sit around?
dangerous maybe??

Finally, where can i get some extra wire from for the power connector, the default wires are way to small. I went to best buy last night and they didnt know what the hell i was talking about, i even broght the connector with me with the wires to show them. Radio Shack maybe???

TIA

MP3Car.com

 

gork

A half loop is where you need to make a 90 degree bend in the cable but instead you go the long way around like in this diagram of a roller coaster:



It reduces the wear on the connector as pulling on the wire doesnt attempt to pull the pins straight out of the connector. You can also just make sure that there is enough slack in your run and you should be OK. I havent had problems with my OPUS connector. It's very sturdy.

You can order AMP connectors to mate with the OPUS connector from Digi-Key or Mouser. The AMP part numbers are listed in the OPUS documentation. A female connector and some pins will run you about $1.50 plus shipping.

I bought my wire at an auto parts store -- AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts or something as such. Radio shack will probably not have what you need and even if they do theyll be too expensive. They had spools of 16 gauge (100ft) for 6 bucks or so. I got yellow, red, and black to hook up my OPUS, DVD-ROM, and firewire bridge board to the PSU in the back. I also bought a couple 10ft packs of 12 gauge black and red to hook the opus to the battery. 16 gauge is OK for the OPUS ignition lead. I also put a 20A in-line fuse between the OPUS and the battery just in case. I know the OPUS is internally fused, but this is just an added safety in case I short the power leads for some reason before the OPUS. Anyway, it's pretty standard car electrical wiring practice to fuse close to the battery on aftermarket wiring..

Also, put the PSU inside the case if you can.. but if you can't.. no big deal really just make sure it doesnt pull too much on its own cables..

MP3Car.com