1968 Volvo project Pure Volvocity

[68EFIvert]

The good news is that the car is making progress but the bad news is it won’t be done this year. At least not before SEMA. Maybe 2021?

We are done with the hard part of the sanding but still have high build primer and a few more rounds of sanding. It is looking good.




https://youtu.be/MQ4T-6HoNf8

I shipped off all the chrome on Friday. 3 big boxes are on the way to Sherm’s Plating down in Sacramento. That will take 6-8 weeks to get done.

I started to lay out some of the wiring in the trunk. I will have the battery back there and want to have some safety provisions. I fabricated 2 brackets that mount to my battery holder. One will hold the master power disconnect. The outlet from that will go to the starter solenoid and another will feed into a 250 amp circuit breaker for the alternator. I wanted to eliminate constant power that could cause a wire if shorted. Anyone have any feedback on this idea?

[JayinMI]

I didn't expect SEMA was going to happen this year anyway. Hope things change. Can't wait to see it once it's painted and everything.

Jay

[andrewb70]

I didn't expect SEMA was going to happen this year anyway. Hope things change. Can't wait to see it once it's painted and everything.

Jay

I hope you're wrong about SEMA, but I too fear the worst.

Andrew

[Peanut1959]

At first, I thought this was some kind of smilie face!

[slimjim]

going back to your battery setup, I have planned to run a very similar setup to you but my circuit breaker to the alternator is considerably smaller, I think 80 amps off the top of my head. I plan to run an 8 gauge charge wire from battery -> circuit breaker -> power terminal under dash -> 150 amp alternator. I understand my 80 amp is relatively small however was under the assumption that the alternator never sends it's full charging power back to the battery. I researched my setup probably 18 months ago now and cannot cite where I learnt the majority of this, but was somewhat confident in it, and also figured it was not costly in upgrading the circuit breaker if it indeed turns out to be undersize and tripping frequently. So out of curiosity I was wondering why you went with 250amps?

[68EFIvert]

going back to your battery setup, I have planned to run a very similar setup to you but my circuit breaker to the alternator is considerably smaller, I think 80 amps off the top of my head. I plan to run an 8 gauge charge wire from battery -> circuit breaker -> power terminal under dash -> 150 amp alternator. I understand my 80 amp is relatively small however was under the assumption that the alternator never sends it's full charging power back to the battery. I researched my setup probably 18 months ago now and cannot cite where I learnt the majority of this, but was somewhat confident in it, and also figured it was not costly in upgrading the circuit breaker if it indeed turns out to be undersize and tripping frequently. So out of curiosity I was wondering why you went with 250amps?

Actually did my research about 4 years ago and forgot most of my thoughts behind the plan. I think My thought was the 250 circuit would stop any catastrophic issues but not have me to reset it for normal circumstances. We was planning on some sort of distribution block under the hood for front end accessories there as well as charging. This may be overkill especially since I was going to run 0 gauge wire. I do have a bunch of 6 gauge that I will likely just use that.

Is there a problem running a higher amp breaker? Maybe I could drop it down to 150 while dropping down to the 6 gauge wire.

It will be interesting to see if there is a SEMA show this year. Suppose we will find out as the summer goes by. Pretty crazy times right now.

[slimjim]

I don't know to be honest. I doubt it. 80 amps probably suits my smaller charge wire and 250 probably suits your 0 gauge. I'm sure someone will chime in who can run the maths.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Car is looking great- attention to detail is amazing!

However... I spy with my little eye... a 68-69 Charger keeping yours company...

[68EFIvert]

There are some pretty cool cars in the shop. The charger, older Toyota Land Cruiser, 60’s convertible Lincoln, C2 Corvette, a couple 54-56 Ford trucks, a 20’s Buick and an early 20’s Packard. Pretty cool stuff. I will takes some pictures the next time I am in there and post them up on here.

[JayinMI]

It amazes me how people will put $100k into a car, and they shortcut the wiring. Wiring isn't very expensive, I always err on the side of caution and go as big as a I can afford so I'm future proofed for upgrades down the road. Because you WILL want to upgrade something in the future. 6ga is only good to like 80A anyway. Just run the 1/0 or 0 ga.

Jay

[slimjim]

we're only talking about charging wires, not the battery-to-starter cable.

I'm running a modified version of madelectricals kit which is very popular and well tested with 8ga charge wires.
http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/tm-1.shtml

[dogstr]

Darreld,
I would run the Master battery Disconnect on the outside of the car for safety. I mounted mine behind the rear License plate, with a fold down spring loaded holder. When I race, I have a magnetic sign pointing to the plate to tell officials that it is there. I think this is needed outside when doing any kind of racing, but I could be wrong.

[FLYNAVY53]

Ive found this helpful over the years for determining wire size based on load and distance:

[68EFIvert]

Thanks for the chart! That should be helpful.

[Peanut1959]

Maybe, next time, you can build something this cool...!

[68EFIvert]

LOL! Or how about the Corvette 1800.

[JayinMI]

Is that an 1800 with Vette parts or a body kit on a Vette?

Jay

[68EFIvert]

It is a body kit on a Corvette. Reminds me of the kits where they try to make a vette look like a C1.

[Peanut1959]

Just, no!

[68EFIvert]

The rear Fesler flush mount glass is really starting to look good. A little pressure on the passenger top corner when we glue it down. A little work on the front window, some smoothing to get the interior ready for paint and the final firmer coat and we will be ready for color. It is taking forever but is getting there.

I spoke with the side glass guy and he is cutting the quarter and door glass now.