Power and ground

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Evan Dutch

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What do you guys do when running electric accessories; fans, aftermarket ignition, etc. but you don’t want to run all your power and ground wires directly to the battery terminals that way there aren’t tons of wires on the terminals.

Is there a panel I can run battery power to and then run all my accessory to that Panel that way it’s neat?

Thanks
 
What do you guys do when running electric accessories; fans, aftermarket ignition, etc. but you don’t want to run all your power and ground wires directly to the battery terminals that way there aren’t tons of wires on the terminals.

Is there a panel I can run battery power to and then run all my accessory to that Panel that way it’s neat?

Thanks

They are called power panels.
I ran a 10ga wire off my starter solenoid to a breaker with studs and nuts on it, then run accessories off that.

Here's a Google search for 12 volt power panel. 12 volt power distribution panel - Google Search
 
So I could pull power for the accessories from the power panel and then ground them all to a common buss bar.
If you choose. Cars have used chassis grounds for years. The battery negative is grounded to the block and usually the radiator support. The block is grounded to the body at the firewall. Everything that is metal that is attached to metal is automatically grounded. You can run 2 wires and ground one if you wish.
 
The problem with chassis/ body grounding is "now." "Now" we have lots of sensitive electronics, and you can get into "ground loops" which can cause interesting problems. Unfortunately, tho, many of the electronics themselves are not properly set up to deal with this.......stereo/ cb/ radio equipment, etc.

A "single point ground" like "think (wood, glass) boats" where you have NO ground, just a positive and negative terminal

If you have a fairly conventional "simple" car with just lights, ignition, etc, you are pretty safe. You get into EFI, data loggers, and other electronics, it gets more difficult

MSD has/ did have an article on interference. It is possible for example, for the spark produced by an MSD to re-trigger it's own unit, creating false spark timing. This high powered spark can affect other "stuff" like the voltage regulator!!!
 
The problem with chassis/ body grounding is "now." "Now" we have lots of sensitive electronics, and you can get into "ground loops" which can cause interesting problems. Unfortunately, tho, many of the electronics themselves are not properly set up to deal with this.......stereo/ cb/ radio equipment, etc.

A "single point ground" like "think (wood, glass) boats" where you have NO ground, just a positive and negative terminal

If you have a fairly conventional "simple" car with just lights, ignition, etc, you are pretty safe. You get into EFI, data loggers, and other electronics, it gets more difficult

MSD has/ did have an article on interference. It is possible for example, for the spark produced by an MSD to re-trigger it's own unit, creating false spark timing. This high powered spark can affect other "stuff" like the voltage regulator!!!

I’m running a msd 6al box, what’s the best way to ground it? Instructions say right to the battery.
 
That. and run your trigger wires close to a "ground plane" that is along the block and firewall, try to cross plug wires at right angles to the trigger, and keep them away
 
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