Trying to figure this maze out. Everything works as far as I know but seems to me like their is too much on here. Is there a limit?

 

You must have a lot of options.

- Eric

 

There's a couple threads left, you could get 2-3 more ring terminals on there.

 

Follow the wires to see where they go and the condition of the circuits they feed.
In other words see if they went to hack jobs from previous owners to radios, amps, etc.
The factory used this to connect power windows, AC blower, defroster, and more so there could be quite a few wires on it.
BTW the vacuum hose to the AC vac can looks a bit stretched...

 

Thanks Rob, I was trying to get and idea of what is supposed to be on there not if it had room for three rings of disco lights. The service manual is somewhat of a spaghetti maze when I look at it. I don't have that many options so I'll work my way backwards as you suggested and see where I end up.. Just wanted to be on safe side and make sure for now it's ok to have it loaded like that..

 

It's a major junction block that is a 12v source to a lot of stuff. Basically an extension of the pos battery cable.

 

Basically you just need to see what they are connected to, and what currents they might draw, and what the wire gauges are. That is how you determine if there is an overload. Let us know what you find.

If one saw the powerstrip under my desk, with 5 full cube taps, one would say it is overloaded.
However when I add up the total possible current draw it is less than 8A. Therefore I really have room for more!
Reddy Killowatt would be PO'ed for sure.

 

It just looks bad and may be a possible problem. I would do as others say and trace wires. Some are rather large and suggest higher amps. Move the ones not supposed to go there to other locations. The fact that you asked shows you care about proper distribution of power or just fear of fire. I would redistribute some of them.

 

LMAO

Plenty more room for wires....maybe you can wire a house generator through it too.

On a more serious note, yeah, that looks overloaded. I would be worried about all the amps your running through that junction block.

 

Where?

- Eric

 

Found the obvious ones with a quick examination. Audio related. One empty wire over by glove box, (CB Maybe?)
Eric, you brought up a good question. Where? This is my first project and looking for ideas. I certainly won't need that many connections, but to make what accessories I might want to connect powered, does anyone use a distribution bus...
Ie tap off the original box and mount close by? Although the draw on it would be the same it would certainly be allot cleaner looking and safer I would think.
Thanks

 

That post IS a distribution bus.



Why?

- Eric

 

Thanks Eric, the simplest explanation is sometimes the best. BTW Your checklist on points is awesome especially for those of us trying to finally learn how it all works. I'd post my experience on here but afraid I would get laughed off the forum, let's just say I ran the checklist twice once for practice and the second time for real.
Mike

 

Barrier terminal strips are pretty, and are useful when you have to frequently disconnect or jump connections for troubleshooting, but a single big stud is probably capable of carrying more current.
The only thing that might screw it up would be if one ring terminal in the stack were badly corroded and caused current to be poorly passed through to the others beyond it, but that's not a very likely occurrence.

- Eric