[DML] Ground Bus

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have received several eMail inquiries about my bus, so obviously *SOMEBODY* likes it (I dare anyone to argue that it is somehow harmful or detrimental). I went over all of this on DMCTalk, but here it is again for DML users:

This is a schematic of my bus (in red):
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/554678_357239137654676_100001057778755_1063674_2141960308_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/554678_357239160988007_100001057778755_1063675_1933417722_n.jpg

It runs from the stainless plate behind the headlights (sorry, no pic -- I tied the junctions behind each headlight to that bar with 10 gauge wire, then tied the bar to the front radiator bolt with 10 gauge wire)

To the front radiator bolt:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/383933_294239117288012_100001057778755_894542_384394085_n.jpg
10 gauge wire from the headlights/sidelights is the uppermost terminal. This is a continuous wire (no connectors underneath the washer bottle). 4 gauge wire is the bus towards the back of the car.

To a 1/4" bolt at the front of the console:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/383580_294229527288971_100001057778755_894474_519944376_n.jpg
This is where the junction behind the A/C plenum ties in.

To a stainless plate in the ECU compartment:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/377408_294239220621335_100001057778755_894545_1677197107_n.jpg
Stainless plate really isn't necessary -- every other owner I've helped has just used a bolt in the ECU bracket. 3 junctions underneath the console are of course tied in to the cable as it passes by: 
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/544492_357245150987408_100001057778755_1063690_18592510_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/534213_357245200987403_100001057778755_1063691_538568872_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/532723_357245094320747_100001057778755_1063688_1768539170_n.jpg

Bus splits in the ECU compartment to the engine block:
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/387473_294242443954346_100001057778755_894558_2036722081_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/387305_294242413954349_100001057778755_894557_1594776592_n.jpg

And to the Relay compartment:
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386085_294239167288007_100001057778755_894543_2041924378_n.jpg

Finally, from the relay compartment to the battery itself:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390111_294243023954288_100001057778755_894562_1304124496_n.jpg

This entire bus is overlaid over factory grounds. Not cut a single OEM wire was cut to install it. Original junctions were left intact and clamped against the bus with saddle clamps:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547536_357252900986633_100001057778755_1063725_1055858619_n.jpg

This is what the elusive junction behind the A/C plenum looks like before wrapping with tape:
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/379450_294229573955633_100001057778755_894475_1943786923_n.jpg
And after:
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/386449_294229657288958_100001057778755_894477_417856207_n.jpg
I assure you that junction is back there -- just follow the driver side harness with your hand until you reach it.

Anyway, I defy anyone to argue that this bus is in any way harmful or detrimental. It is 100% weather protected (except for the radiator bolt and the terminal on top of the engine of course). Total cost currently is about $75 (I did mine for about $50 a couple of years ago). It's one of the *LEAST* expensive things you can do to these stupid little cars. Every owner I have helped install one has been thrilled with the results, especially dash gauge behavior. I like the interior connection to the battery the best.

It also is a very neat and orderly installation. Some people have accused me of creating a Rube Goldberg / Heath Robinson DeLorean. Photographic evidence does not support such an accusation.

BTW: photos above are a mixture of both my cars. Both of them have an identical bus.

Because both my cars are carbureted, I do not have any grounds inside the engine compartment other than the block itself. I do plan to eventually beef up the rear lighting ground (factory design gangs every single bulb in the back of the car, and the rear side lights, onto a single ground wire).

That's all there is to it. Pretty simple and basic. It's one of the cheapest things you can do to your car, and will yield years and years of trouble free electrical system operation (at least as far as grounding is concerned).

Bill Robertson
#5939











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