Power Distribution Block ?'s

[Red 4G63]

I've been searching for Power Distribution block questions all morning, and I have still yet to find any posts about a proper install, perhaps a little more specific to my setup. Looking for some advice/help.

I bought a Power or Ground Distribution block (1in 0-4AWG/ 3out 4-8AWG) that I can use so I don't have to wire up so many ring terminals to my positive battery post. My question is this.... If I install it under my fuse box, do I still need to run the Alternator wires to the battery and then a 4AWG lead to the block and then hook-up all of my accessories, or can I actually run the Alternator wires into one of the "out" ports on the block and still get power to my battery? Or will the Alternator be seeing a constant draw and think it needs to work OT to supply the power to accessories before it gets to the battery?

I'm trying to make things look as clean as possible under the hood and only wanted to have 1 lead coming off the battery to the dist. block, but I can totally understand how that won't work if setup like this... it probably won't supply the battery first, as it should.

Any suggestions or comments on this topic? I would appreciate any and all experiences.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Grimey]

I would suggest hooking the alternator to the battery itself and connecting whatever accessories you are going to use to the distribution block itself. I have a similar setup in my car...the alternator is connected to the battery and I have my car alarm, audio system power cable, and power inverter connected to a power block in the engine bay.

 

[Calan]

Here's what I did on my 1G. I would think a 2G would be similar.

'92 TSI Complete Rebuild From Firewall Forward - Part 8

There are other pics in the later entries.

 

[Red 4G63]

Just the kind of responses I was looking for! I wanted to make sure I got a few good suggestions before I proceeded with this project.

calan,
I read in your post somewhere towards the bottom, that you used both "ports" on the battery... is this correct? I only ask, because I wanted to make sure that I could do this as well. I think it would look a lot cleaner if I ran the starter wire and Alternator wires from the top post and the 0/4AWG from the side post of the battery to the distribution block. Would this idea work? Would I have to double ground the battery using both top and bottom ports? It seems, on my battery, both lugs are connected to each other, so if I'm only grounding the battery (via top post only) that it should still be enough... just wanted confirmation on that because the guys at BestBuy weren't very helpful with my questions. Seems they like the 'straight forward' installs rather than being knowledge-able about anything custom.

Thanks!!

 

[jdodds]

it wont hurt just having one cable running from your battery. you can hook your alt wires to the distribution block.
/ --alt
BATT+-----Dist---starter
\--stereo/whatever

Its no different than hooking them straight up to your battery. Just take the distribution block out of that little "example" i made and youll see its how its hooked up stock. Youre basically just adding about a foot or so of wiring.

 

[Calan]

calan,
I read in your post somewhere towards the bottom, that you used both "ports" on the battery... is this correct? I only ask, because I wanted to make sure that I could do this as well. I think it would look a lot cleaner if I ran the starter wire and Alternator wires from the top post and the 0/4AWG from the side post of the battery to the distribution block. Would this idea work?

I always thought that would work, but I read some Optima information somewhere that the combination post arrangement was an "either/or" type of deal. My best guess is that it has to do with the cell arrangement in the battery, or possibly a current draw issue if both posts are used simultaneously.

For mine, I only used the side posts. The distribution block has 3 "ins" and 4 fused outs...power from the battery comes in at the top port on the right side of the block, the starter comes off that same side in the middle, and the bottom port runs over to the fuse box (alternator); so those 3 lines are all effectively the same point electrically with large gauge wire. The stereo amp, ignition, radiator fan, and MPI all run off the other side of the block through their individual fuses.

One advantage of using only the side posts was that it allowed me to use the Optima battery cover, which makes the whole thing extremely clean. And if I ever need a connection for jumper cables or a timing light, I just pop the cover and have two clean battery posts accessible.

I'll take some more pics tonight with it finished and the fuse decal in place, and post them here.

 

[Red 4G63]

Calan,
That makes more sense. Exactly along the lines that I was thinking... There had to be a reason why you never really see people using both side and top mounts, which is why I would rather ask the questions before I ruin my nice battery! Until I hear otherwise, I'll just stick to one or the other. I like your idea, though! Using the side mount so that you always have the 'more accessable' top mount for any jumps or testers! Good one.

jdodds,
Doesn't the Alt. measure how much juice is in the battery at all times? So that it knows when to turn on and off? If the Alt. wires were connected to the same side of the distribution block, wouldn't it be measuring from the draw on the accessories, not the battery?

If it helps anyone, the Block that I bought is from Rockford Fosgate and it's purpose was for supplying equal power to from (1) 0-4AWG wire to multiple amps at a time. No fuses came with it, that I could see, but I haven't opened it yet so I'm not exactly sure. All accessories that I am hooking up to this block will have thier own specific in-line fuse, as they are currently. My main reason for doing this was to eliminate so many connections on the battery post itself. Hope this helps.

 

[Calan]

As promised, here are a couple more pics of the distribution block, once everything was finished.

(Damn... I've GOT to clean my engine bay. The car's been sitting on jack stands in a dusty garage for too long ).

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[Red 4G63]

That looks absolutely gorgeous! Hope I can get mine to look like that!

Not to change subjects, but I noticed you have your PCV going to a tank looking piece. Does that still go into your intake pipe after? I wanted to do a catch can - just haven't found the proper method for my setup yet. I'll have to look into those threads though.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Calan]

Thanks!

I run basically a stock PCV setup, with the addition of the check valve at the IM and the catch cans that I make.

The PCV, catch cans, etc. is all covered pretty thoroughly in my build journal. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions though.

 

[Red 4G63]

Thanks!

I'll be looking into getting some larger wire and re-wiring my Starter/Ground wires... perhaps my Alternator wires, as well. I would really like to keep the OEM wires intact, incase I ever decide to put the car back to stock. I've purchased new top mount terminals, but I'll have to figure something out with those, because they only have 2 inlets. I might need 3 for my POS+ terminal setup, unless I figure something else out.

I'll keep this thread up to date with pics once I get started on the project!