PDM60 Techie question.

[barbagris]

So PDM60's are here.

First impressions

1) They're heavier than I expected somehow - Screw mounts are a must.

2) Main power wire is a bit short. I can get it to reach - JUST (and this because the MotoBatt battery has two sets of terminals) but will require a bit of rethinking on mounting.
I'd rather it came a bit longer and un-terminated so can be made to fit. Even via a Monster Posi-lock (for those without lots of bits). The Posi-lock idea is not bad - it's just not me.

3) Supplied earth wire system is a f*cking joke - imo. Earth faults waiting to happen. Good job I have the alternative ready.

Thinking! - Just fitting would be easy. Fitting tidily is something else.

 

[barbagris]

It is never in my pocket - it hangs on my belt.

How do you manage to play "billiards"? - confused.

 

[cr0ft]

I mounted my PDM60 with a single sturdy zip-tie through one of the mounting holes, found a perfect spot for it under the left side cover, just in front of where the fuse box is. A single zip-tie has it absolutely solid there, doesn't even wiggle when I try to pull on it. It's wedged in there solid and not going anywhere. I'll take some pics, probably later on today when it's all in there.

But yeah, I didn't do it the way they recommend and use the frame for earth, I terminated all the ground cables in one location.

Personally I wish they had designed the whole thing with screw terminals. One side with positive outs, the other side with ground terminals. Then let people work out their own cabling.

You can always slash the main power wire and do a proper in-line splice with wire, solder and shrink tube if you need it longer, though.

 

[DEcosse]

... Main power wire is a bit short. ...
I'd rather it came a bit longer and un-terminated so can be made to fit...

Agree - ideally be longer and somewhat limits location for installation as-is

... Supplied earth wire system is a f*cking joke - imo. Earth faults waiting to happen ....

That one is a bit harsh - yes it's definitely nothing sophisticated but it IS functional and at least one step better than all the grounds stacked up on the battery terminal. I honestly don't see how it could cause reliability issues in earth faults.
But yes, there are plenty of options to create your own ground bus.

 

[barbagris]

That one is a bit harsh - yes it's definitely nothing sophisticated but it IS functional and at least one step better than all the grounds stacked up on the battery terminal.

Yes harsh - but I'm fussy.
I can see that being left to "flap" about which will eventually loosen the nut. Intermittent contacts etc. And IT WILL HAPPEN AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN 300 MILES FROM TOOLS.
The ring terminals aren't the most inspiring either. - again I'm fussy.
But born of failures back when I had to "bodge" stuff doing exactly this sort of thing.

As a side effect it may well be that the support I now use to mount the PDM's will also serve a a ground bus.

 

[R3Tex]

Soooo...I think I will jump in here just for the h&ll of it. I have now mounted two different systems on Rockets using the PDM60 and there are at least two more in the works. Here are my thoughts...

1.) Supplied bits and pieces are sufficient to do the job as long as you follow good installation practice for a motor vehicle. i.e. When you connect a ring terminal (or any other connector) to a wire you crimp it, solder it, and heat shrink it as opposed to just crimping.
2.) Lock nuts are available at any hardware store with a nylon insert to prevent backing off after installing the grounding system provided.
3.) Best place I've found to install it is inside (right) of the air box after you've ripped out all of the useless OEM stuff...this means that if you drill a hole in the top rear corner of the air box the main power lead is plenty long enough.
4.) Being able to program the load capacity for the different circuits as well as the trigger mechanism is awesome
5.) Not having to deal with a blown fuse if you overload a circuit is awesome

 

[barbagris]

Soooo...I think I will jump in here just for the h&ll of it.

Good Man!

2.) Lock nuts are available at any hardware store with a nylon insert to prevent backing off after installing the grounding system provided.

And for 200bucks - maybe should be there.

My point as that the PDM60 is well made and has some good aspects - hell I've bought two of them.
But it's as if the earth side was a bit of an afterthought. "Oh **** - yeah the earth".

I hear you on mounting - but I never modify original parts unless I really have to.
Here it can radically affect resale. I think by mounting on a plate that angles down from front to rear - I can get them (yes two of them) to sit neatly in the filter box and the wires will reach.

But I'll leave it until Thursday - Just come back from the dentists and I'm having trouble coping with reality.

 

[DEcosse]

This is how I supply the PDM60 for the Key- Less kits:
the small connector is the ignition trigger and ground;
a 3-way connector for the main switched circuits (in place of the key-switch);
a 4 -way connector for the other three accessory circuits plus the ground-trigger.

If the main power input was not long enough, I would just pass it through a connector also.
It would have be sturdy connector however for that large gauge wire.

 

[barbagris]

Very neat - I'll be using different connector blocks and I like fibreglass sheathing generally but same concept.
But I may try Techflex type sheaths - just because you've piqued my interest.

So here is my "module" - I'm not at the wire stage yet.

Once persuaded gently into filter box (wires obviously not yet routed!)

The earth bus is underneath - all the connectors will be inside the box section.
Well - that's the plan. The box bit btw - is a cut down 3.5" USB-HDD case.

The white box is a GPS speed sensor and the other thing will be to activate IGN trigger on one PDM60 only when the alternator charges. Engine not running - lights off. The other will have normal ign trigger as it has the PCV-AT on. Delays will be used on both for most circuits. Though different on each PDM. Most circuits will actually pass very little current - lights are all LED and have relays elsewhere.

I've hit a small delay as the missus was put on sick leave for a few days - so I'm in "nurse" mode.
And I had a rather traumatic dental intervention on Tuesday - so my concentration is a bit off.

 

[barbagris]

It would have be sturdy connector however for that large gauge wire.

For example http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/section.php/217/1/powerpole-connectors