Battery Terminals Are a problem

[scottma]

I just installed dual battery tray ,batteries ,IBS battery management system, and a warn winch. Problem is that I need a positive terminal that accepts 4 ea 4 awg wires. 2ea 4 awg wires from the vehicle that go to the OEM positive terminal 1 from the winch and 1 from the IBS relay.
What terminals are you using to keep a clean set up. Would like to know how you have addressed a similar situation?

 

[Chazz Layne]

The P3 series from Parts Express has held up excellent in the year I've run them. I don't think they offer that particular configuration, you might need to run a main line into a distribution block to step down/up to the correct sizes (Parts Express has good pricing on these too).

 

[scottma]

Thank you Chaz. I actually started to do just as you have suggested tonight. I bought 3' of of 1 awg cable and a JL audio distribution block that will accept 4ea 4awg cables. I backed out after not finding a good place to locate the distibution block. I think I am going to fab a metal plate that will attach to the far side of the Columbia Overland dual battery tray. I think I will mount the distribution block on the bottom side of this plate after running the wires to it. That will leave the top side available to mount a blue sea fuse box and relay panel perhaps.

What do you think of that plan?

 

[Chazz Layne]

I've got a similar setup, the location works out great for ease of wiring as there are already grommets for this through the firewall (some even unused). Some water-proof circuit breakers do well there for protecting the heavy cable.

FYI - the two OEM #4 cables will do just as well on separate terminals, or combined on one big #1/0 if you're willing to strip/rebraid/reinsulate them. You can also get about 10" of extra slack out of the one that runs to the alternator by separating it from the plastic-covered bundle it joins (assuming you still have intact plastic conduit, mine had crumbled away).


Got any pics of the finished install? I've been thinking about this sort of setup ever since my battery woes a few months back. The Odyssey PC2150 is plenty of juice, but lacks the redundancy - in hind sight it might not have been the best decision...

 

[mrlocksmith]

Here is another Idea: Use bus bars

http://www.vteworld.com/content/electromech/busbar/busbar.php

I use them for my Ham Radio Gear etc.

Mark

 

[X-plorenow]

That is exactly what I would have recommended. Hope it works out okay.

 

[scottma]

Finished today used JL Audio power distribution block attached to side of battery tray and tsunami terminals