Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

Jeff,
Didn't you make your own battery cables? If you did what size fusible link did you use off your alternator?
I was planning on going up from the stock 6 gauge to 2 gauge. And the same for the starter cable since the starter instructions said to use a heavier gauge cable.
 
Jeff,
Didn't you make your own battery cables? If you did what size fusible link did you use off your alternator?
I was planning on going up from the stock 6 gauge to 2 gauge. And the same for the starter cable since the starter instructions said to use a heavier gauge cable.

🙄
 
Jeff,
Didn't you make your own battery cables? If you did what size fusible link did you use off your alternator?
I was planning on going up from the stock 6 gauge to 2 gauge. And the same for the starter cable since the starter instructions said to use a heavier gauge cable.


Ahhhh, yeah, Richardo, I’ll, ahhhh, go out and take a pic of the fusible link I used. Ahhhh, errrrr, give me about a week to get that picture….Ahhhh, you know, camera troubles….

🙂

To be clear, my rolling eye emoji was not directed at Rick’s plan. A very long time ago, before I knew better, I pulled the fusible link while doing some unremembered mod - and I’ve not run one in well over a decade. It’s been on my list to address, but no, not yet.

Wow - I feel like I just went through an intervention…
 
Ahhhh, yeah, Richardo, I’ll, ahhhh, go out and take a pic of the fusible link I used. Ahhhh, errrrr, give me about a week to get that picture….Ahhhh, you know, camera troubles….

🙂

To be clear, my rolling eye emoji was not directed at Rick’s plan. A very long time ago, before I knew better, I pulled the fusible link while doing some unremembered mod - and I’ve not run one in well over a decade. It’s been on my list to address, but no, not yet.

Wow - I feel like I just went through an intervention…

Well if you use the Dodge wiring harness instead of the Jeep one it doesn't use a fusible link but instead uses a 140 amp Maxi fuse in the PDC.
I guess the fact that you've gone 10+ years without any issues says it isn't a REQUIRED item but it's still a safety item.

So my main reason for asking you was wondering what size fusible link you'd used. Since it appears 8 gauge is the largest you can get I'm guessing that kind of answers things.
 
  • Like
Reactions: reddvltj
Well if you use the Dodge wiring harness instead of the Jeep one it doesn't use a fusible link but instead uses a 140 amp Maxi fuse in the PDC.
I guess the fact that you've gone 10+ years without any issues says it isn't a REQUIRED item but it's still a safety item.

So my main reason for asking you was wondering what size fusible link you'd used. Since it appears 8 gauge is the largest you can get I'm guessing that kind of answers things.

Rick I would use a 150a Midi for ease of availability and field service.

image.jpg
 
Rick I would use a 150a Midi for ease of availability and field service.

View attachment 377180

I was looking at them but couldn't find anything that could tell me what size fuse I wanted to use. These seem to be close to a slow blow fuse. I really like the idea of being easy field serviceable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: reddvltj
Well if you use the Dodge wiring harness instead of the Jeep one it doesn't use a fusible link but instead uses a 140 amp Maxi fuse in the PDC.
I guess the fact that you've gone 10+ years without any issues says it isn't a REQUIRED item but it's still a safety item.

So my main reason for asking you was wondering what size fusible link you'd used. Since it appears 8 gauge is the largest you can get I'm guessing that kind of answers things.

This all got me thinking - why would I do such a thing? But it dawned on me, and I went back and checked, that the fusible link went away when I installed the welder. Looking at it, and the PPW wiring diagram, the alternator connects directly to the welder controller. In its normal state (not welding), power goes through the controller, which then sends it on to the battery + post, and then from the + post on to the PDC+. When it is in welding or AC mode, no power makes it through to the battery or the PDC. The controller has two circuit breakers which I assume would protect against a voltage surge from the alternator - but I am not sure if this is actually the case.

Does this make any sense? And is the purpose of the fusible link to protect against an alternator surge, or a short?

On the stock setup, does the fusible link connect the alternator to the battery, or to the PDC, or both?

(I'm trying to avoid giving @Apparition and excuse to post that Jeep on Fire gif... :))
 
This all got me thinking - why would I do such a thing? But it dawned on me, and I went back and checked, that the fusible link went away when I installed the welder. Looking at it, and the PPW wiring diagram, the alternator connects directly to the welder controller. In its normal state (not welding), power goes through the controller, which then sends it on to the battery + post, and then from the + post on to the PDC+. When it is in welding or AC mode, no power makes it through to the battery or the PDC. The controller has two circuit breakers which I assume would protect against a voltage surge from the alternator - but I am not sure if this is actually the case.

Does this make any sense?

On the stock setup, does the fusible link connect the alternator to the battery, or to the PDC. or both?

(I'm trying to avoid giving @Apparition and excuse to post that Jeep on Fire gif... :))

OK now I've got to pull my binder with all my install directions out and check to see how the welder wiring is routed. Stock wiring the cable is supposed to come from the alternator to the PDC with fusible link inline. The PDC is then connected to the battery.
 
It appears I might have been worried about nothing as Jeff just pointed out.

20221116_122545.jpg



20221116_122601.jpg



Might be why I couldn't remember having a fusible link in the cable.
 
  • Like
Reactions: reddvltj
Well, it's that time of year again. I have two new grandchildren this year, so that means two more toy boxes. The mill work is all done, and now I'm getting ready to do some carving. Colton is getting a Jeep, just like his cousin LJ's box I did two years ago. Olivia is getting a flower. Not as cool as the Jeep, but much more challenging.

I better get a few boxes of band aids ready...

IMG_3071.JPG
 
You are way more patient than I. Back when I used to do some WW, I would just through the wood in my jig and use a router for dovetails, box joints and the like. I made some speakers and a few vacuum tube amps. I was more patient on the design and building of the circuits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NashvilleTJ
You are way more patient than I. Back when I used to do some WW, I would just through the wood in my jig and use a router for dovetails, box joints and the like. I made some speakers and a few vacuum tube amps. I was more patient on the design and building of the circuits.

Thanks. When I do a piece of furniture (or a toy box in this case), I like to add some hand carving to differentiate it a bit. Here is the last piece I built for the house.

IMG_0291.JPG


I don't know if patience is the right word, more like glutton for punishment. I also always start with rough milled lumber from my supplier, and finish mill it myself. That's a bunch of fun as well. :oops:
 
Well, it's that time of year again. I have two new grandchildren this year, so that means two more toy boxes. The mill work is all done, and now I'm getting ready to do some carving. Colton is getting a Jeep, just like his cousin LJ's box I did two years ago. Olivia is getting a flower. Not as cool as the Jeep, but much more challenging.

I better get a few boxes of band aids ready...

View attachment 380549

Don’t forget to fill them with toys. Super obnoxious, noisy toys.
 
Thanks. When I do a piece of furniture (or a toy box in this case), I like to add some hand carving to differentiate it a bit. Here is the last piece I built for the house.

View attachment 380554

I don't know if patience is the right word, more like glutton for punishment. I also always start with rough milled lumber from my supplier, and finish mill it myself. That's a bunch of fun as well. :oops:

That’s the only way to do a fine project. I’ve done woodworking both ways, bought S4S and fully rough sawn. The stuff I plane and true myself always turns out better.