Complete Rewire Project

[Indycars]

or you could use a terminal strip.
dave

Six gauges with four wires each and double up on each screw.....
thinking jumpers for the other wires ...... 4x6/2 = 12. Is that right,
I could do this with a 12 circuit terminal block???

 

[PotvinGuy]

I just use lots of little black tie wraps. Sure, you can run the sensor wires thru the connector. All my dash wiring goes thru a single 24-pin connector.

 

[Indycars]

I do an inline splice:

...use a strip tool to make a 1/2" gap in the insulation of the common wire, then wrap the gauge wire around it and solder. Then slide the tubing over the joint and shrink. Daisy-chain to all gauges, and the common wire ends in the connector.

You might be able to tell, but if not ...... I used your idea for running all those
common wires for lights and ground ...etc.

My drawings show a cutoff switch to shutdown all electrical, I had to leave
that out. There was just NOT enough room for it. I also nixed the idea of
having 4-way flashers, it was going to complicate and already complicated
wiring system.

Now some good news, the dash wiring is done. I still have to bring the wires
up to the dash and terminate them in the other side of the connectors you see.



I had to buy a different Deutsch DTM series or mini size connectors and
crimping tool for the dash. Many of the wires are 20 AWG and smaller and
the DT series will not go that small, only down to 18 AWG.

I use heat shrink in different colors to identify certain bundles of wires from
others. When I don't have what I need then I use a SHARPIE to add a band to
each segment of heat shrink.



I used plenty of Adel clamps to support the wires and keep them from moving
around while driving and causing a fatigue failure.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Looking just super, Indy. I'm redoing my dash next winter, new switches, silk screening, and will shamelessly use your ideas. I'm presently using a toggle switch for the turn signals. The new setup will use push buttons, with a hazard flasher and an auto cancel feature.

 

[Indycars]

Cool Cool!!!

I'm shameless also, I have very few unique ideas!!!!!! hehehehe !!! Looking
forward to seeing your silk screening, sounds interesting.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Here's where I got my silk screen starter kit: http://ezscreenprint.com/ Lots of info and helpful people. Good bedtime reading. My first two attempts:

Not bad for a rank amateur. A little experience will clean up the boo-boos. And this is the Hi-Def kit. Regular def is another option I'll try. Anything you can print on your printer can be silk screened. Logos, script, etc.

 

[Indycars]

Coolant cap came out really good!

Watched a video, looks very much like creating a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

 

[PotvinGuy]

Coolant cap came out really good!

Watched a video, looks very much like creating a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

You didn't ask what Moxie was...or you know.

 

[Indycars]

I assume Moxie is an abundance of confidence in one's self! ..... No???

 

[PotvinGuy]

I thought you'd never ask. Moxie, in this case, is a water/alcohol/nitro mix that will be injected for a little kick. I don't need it of course, but I like to try new stuff. And we all like the smell of nitro in the morning...

 

[one finger john]

What about model airplane fuel?

 

[Indycars]

What about model airplane fuel?

Wonder what the octane is for model airplane fuel?

 

[Indycars]

I thought you'd never ask. Moxie, in this case, is a water/alcohol/nitro mix that will be injected for a little kick. I don't need it of course, but I like to try new stuff. And we all like the smell of nitro in the morning...

That and a Bloody Mary for breakfast!!!

 

[PotvinGuy]

Indy, I just remembered these slick splices I use: http://www.cableorganizer.com/elelktralink-butt-splices/

Shrink tube with a low-temp solder ring inside. Just twist your wires together, slide the tube over the splice and hit with a heat gun. Solder melts and tubing shrinks to seal it. No solder iron needed, no crimping. Can't get much easier.

 

[Indycars]

Well now you tell me when I'm 80% done!

Will any heat gun work, or does it have to be a torch like their
video shows? I couldn't find the melting temp of the solder.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Just a plain old heat gun. And you can find those splices lots of places, like Del City where I get lots of my electrical stuff.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Time flies! How goes the rewire? Any pics?

 

[Indycars]

Here is a few pics of the finished wiring. It's not as neat & tidy as I wanted, but
it's the best I can do considering it's my first complete wiring project.

I have 37 wires and 7 DTM(M=Mini) connectors exiting from my dash.




The switch that starts/stops the AQ-1 logging(White Arrow) is not a permanent
installation, I made it so I could just unplug it and remove it from the car.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Looks pretty damn slick to me. I'm ashamed to show my dash right now. Maybe after I redo it this winter. Updates in my project blog.

 

[Indycars]

Looks pretty damn slick to me.

Many many thanks !!!

I'm ashamed to show my dash right now

I find it hard to believe it could be that bad knowing your work !!