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multiple earths/bus bar
jabbahutt - 16/4/08 at 07:34 AM

Morning all

A reasonably simple question for you lot this morning but one I could do with some help with.

At present my warning lights behind the steering wheel are using the single earth for that area of the dash fitted into chock block then daisy chained to allow earths for the lights that require it.

I'm not happy with it as it looks nasty and I'm not convinced it's the best way to do it.

So I'm after a reliable, compact and professional solution to provide 5 earths to lamps that connect to just one wire or any other solution that fits the bill.

I considerred multiple steel rivnuts in the round scuttle chassis bar but it's difficult to get at with a drill and to be honest there must be a better way.

Thinking caps on fellas, all help appreciated.

Cheers
Nigel


RazMan - 16/4/08 at 07:39 AM

Weld a M6/8 bolt to the chassis and solder ring terminals to the earth wires?


David Jenkins - 16/4/08 at 07:48 AM

When I did my electrics I was seriously considering the fitting of a bus bar for my earths!

How about this thing? (the green thing at the top).


Howlor - 16/4/08 at 07:49 AM

Try these

B&Q do a metal block with about 12 ports for earths.

Steve


Howlor - 16/4/08 at 07:50 AM

Aha not quick enuff! The B&Q one is about £3 and is designed for earths so may be a good option.

Steve


Macbeast - 16/4/08 at 08:01 AM

"Weld a M6/8 bolt to the chassis and solder ring terminals to the earth wires?"

Not considered good practice to put multiple ring terminals on single stud.
Either separate studs for each terminal, or solder all the wires to a single ring terminal.


caber - 16/4/08 at 08:30 AM

Wish somebody had told that to LandRover they conect multiple earths to a single BOLT! There is one in the middle of the radiator panel that collects all the lighting earths from the front of the vehicle once it gets corroded you have no end of prblems with lights that are dim, flashers that don't etc!

Caber


907 - 16/4/08 at 08:40 AM

You could.....


Double sided mounting tape a thin strip of ally (20 x 1.5mm) to the dash, and shape the end to fit a large spade connector.
Use this terminal to connect it to the chassis.

Drop down (and up) all your earths and self taper/M4 screw to the strip.

This is assuming your dash is a non-conducting material. i.e. ply.



I'm a cheat. With a stainless chassis clad with ally, I can put my earths anywhere I like.



Paul G


MikeRJ - 16/4/08 at 10:14 AM

Use a separate earth feed to each lamp of suitably small wire gauge, then terminate all of them together within a large ring crimp at your earth point.

Or use a solder ring and heatshrink or butt crimp to connect the smaller wires to a single heavier gauge wire which then goes to the earthing point.

That's how most OEM car looms are done.


martyn_16v - 18/4/08 at 09:06 AM



VWP sell them, or you'll find something similar somewhere under the dashboard of most tintops at the scrappy.


tks - 18/4/08 at 04:18 PM

just TIG weld an stainless bolt to the chasis...

when its corroded you won't live anymore..

or just put some grease on it...

Tks