getting power from car battery

[H]Bugster · 11-03-2003, 03:19 PM

when people say to get their power straight from the battery to the PSU....where and how exactly do you get that power? Like, from where do i splice into the car battery's power to hook to my PSU? I have a 2002 Ford Ranger XLT, and i see theres a fuse box on the driver side...does that have anything to do with pulling some power to the PSU?

Im car illiterate! So pictures of where you draw your power from would be nice!

Confused · 11-03-2003, 03:22 PM

I run a cable directly from the +ve terminal on the battery to my boot. It is switched on using a relay hooked up to a small switch, which gets its power from the battery also, so I can turn the computer on/off independantly from the car. Others take the "remote" power (to turn it on/off) from the ignition, so that when you turn the engine on/off, the computer comes on/off as well.

Garry

shakes · 11-03-2003, 03:22 PM

you can:

1. tap into a line that is always hot. i.e. your radio feed. just make sure it has enough headroom on the fuse so you don't blow it.

2. run a new line from either the battery terminal or the power distribution block under the hood.

maybe you should get a friend to help you ... messing with power isn't something that's good to learn by mistakes. you could blow a couple hundred dollars worth of parts in about 2 seconds.

[H]Bugster · 11-03-2003, 03:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Confused

I run a cable directly from the +ve terminal on the battery to my boot. It is switched on using a relay hooked up to a small switch, which gets its power from the battery also, so I can turn the computer on/off independantly from the car. Others take the "remote" power (to turn it on/off) from the ignition, so that when you turn the engine on/off, the computer comes on/off as well.

Garry

How do i use the remote method? Where do i splice my wires from?

carabuser · 11-03-2003, 03:30 PM

I think taking power from the amplifiers will also work. For example I'm using two amps with distributor fuse box (one power source in, 3 out) so if i take the extra one and run a cable to the psu it should work (well, ground it of course). I haven't done anything like that but I assume it will work with no prob

[H]Bugster · 11-03-2003, 03:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by carabuser

I think taking power from the amplifiers will also work. For example I'm using two amps with distributor fuse box (one power source in, 3 out) so if i take the extra one and run a cable to the psu it should work (well, ground it of course). I haven't done anything like that but I assume it will work with no prob

I dont have an amp

. Does anyone have pics or can take some? I need some examples and visuals before i start to understand the car jargons.

krystar · 11-03-2003, 04:33 PM

just run a 10 guage or thicker wire from your battery to wherever you want the computer to be. then run the ground line to a chassis bolt. make sure you scrape the paint so you get a good connection on the ground.

MeanGT · 11-03-2003, 04:47 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by [H]Bugster

I dont have an amp

. Does anyone have pics or can take some? I need some examples and visuals before i start to understand the car jargons.

If no one else has, I will try to take some pics and make some good explanations tomorrow,, I hafta go to my Calculus course right now

ps. I just wanted to use this:

[H]Bugster · 11-04-2003, 05:30 PM

That would be great MeanGT!

ciagon · 11-04-2003, 07:15 PM

Make sure you fuse the line as close to the battery as possible. I have a 20A fuse located about 3 inches from the battery. It is encased in this nifty rubber deal you can buy at radio shack. Also, use some well insulated wire when running wire from the battery to the firewall - it gets hot in there.

If you skip the fuse, and the wire ever shorts, you will have a DEAD battery. (Might even blow up, not sure) Afterwards, you will have to throw it away and buy a new one.

--Tom

yuprules · 11-04-2003, 08:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ciagon

Make sure you fuse the line as close to the battery as possible. I have a 20A fuse located about 3 inches from the battery. It is encased in this nifty rubber deal you can buy at radio shack. Also, use some well insulated wire when running wire from the battery to the firewall - it gets hot in there.

If you skip the fuse, and the wire ever shorts, you will have a DEAD battery. (Might even blow up, not sure) Afterwards, you will have to throw it away and buy a new one.

--Tom

Is this the fuse holder that should be connected to the between the battery and the inverter that is in the cockpit? How does this hook up (it is hard to tell from the Radioshack picture).

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=270%2D1237

MeanGT · 11-04-2003, 08:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by [H]Bugster

That would be great MeanGT!

ahhh crap,, I forgot. I will try again 2morrow,, sorry

guitar333 · 11-04-2003, 08:31 PM

its not that hard, first decide if you want your computer hooked to a switch, or to remote on (only on when you have the car ignition on, like your radio). For that matter what kind of psu are you going to be using?

carabuser · 11-04-2003, 08:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by yuprules

Is this the fuse holder that should be connected to the between the battery and the inverter that is in the cockpit? How does this hook up (it is hard to tell from the Radioshack picture).

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...Fid=270%2D1237

yup, thats one of 'em. I think you could take one end of the cable and hook it up straight to the battery and the other end to the cable that's going to be connected to the inverter. make sure you're using cables of the same thickness (i don't think it's necessary but will be a good idea thou)

aleromaster · 11-04-2003, 09:54 PM

Forget about a dead battery, Did you ever see what 600 amps can do to a 10 guage wire, your car will become a nice bonfire