Wiring question

[Guest tagree01]

Hey guys. I am planning to completely re-wire my D14 business coupe. It has been converted to 12V. To have easier access to the fuse block, I was going to make a space for the battery, fuse block and possibly other accessories in the trunk right behind the seats. I just got off the phone with the Ron Francis folks, talking about getting a remote kit (wires long enough to reach). They said they don't recommend remote kits because distance adds resistance and that can cause problems with charging.

Which distance is the problem? Alternator to battery, battery to fuse block, or fuse block to starter?

Is this a big issue? Someday I'll do AC and stereo and stuff, so I don't want to make problems for myself later on.

Last, they say it is ok to put it under the driver's seat. The space I'm talking about is only 3 feet farther.

[Plymouthy Adams]

They do not have a wiring kit for that and they do not have the luxury of custom building one at a price they can offer that yuou could afford, the resitasnce issue is a cop out..go to the wire guage resistance table and see, 12 guage I think has an internal resistance of 1.56 ohms per 1000 feet...trust me..the resistance is not an issue..the fact that they don't have the kit and want to sell you an off the shelf one fit all is the driving point in their answer. Many upon many cars have their batteries in the trunk..however most aftermarket wiring is designed around an engine compartment install..my 66 car has the battery in the trunk from the factory..V8 etc etc..

For all practical purposes, build your own from donor cars...put you components where you want, easy access, easy replacement, use current model available parts that will be servicable years down the road..it is not hard..a wiring harness is just a bunch of individual circuits bundled and taped together breaking out at each componet for connection.

[40phil41]

The 1940 Dodge D14 originally had the battery located under the drivers seat! By 1941 it was located up in the engine compartment. Seems to me that many, many hot rodders have the battery located in the trunk.

Phil

[Guest backyardbombers]

i was not happy with the Ron Francis kit i got. the mopar kit is a mix of chev and 60's mopar. look into painless kit. there is no problem with where you put the fuse box.

[chesterx]

I have worked with DC circuits and charging systems for 25 years. Wire resistance is an issue when dealing with low voltages and high currents. High currents being the key. Better to be safe and have cool wires! Calculate your highest load/charging current and then size the wire accordingly. Just remember to derate the wire by 60%. (thumb rule) So if NEC lists 12 guage wire in open air for 40 amps, you would be limited to 24 amps.