Grounds

97SSindiana · 09-27-2007, 04:41 PM

Is it a good idea to use a distribution block for grounds so they can all be grounded at the same place?

Thanks

bladehines · 09-27-2007, 04:45 PM

i don't think it matters just as long as you get them all to a good ground. i will be running mine to pretty much the same spot on the frame with my batteries in the bed.

juddspaintballs · 09-27-2007, 06:33 PM

a distribution ground block is perfectly fine

beaniebmx · 09-27-2007, 10:37 PM

a ground is a ground, it doesnt have to all be grounding in the same spot, its best but its no big deal.

i personally like to ground my stuff all in one spot if possible

Speedy2222 · 09-27-2007, 10:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by beaniebmx

a ground is a ground, it doesnt have to all be grounding in the same spot, its best but its no big deal.

i personally like to ground my stuff all in one spot if possible

WRONG if you don't ground them in the same spot you will create a ground loop

99S10LS · 09-27-2007, 10:48 PM

As long as its grounded to a good spot(chassis) a dist. block is fine.

brokeitagain · 09-27-2007, 11:12 PM

what exactly is a ground loop?

PIC FROM INSTALLER.COM

xdude2001 · 09-27-2007, 11:26 PM

ha ha ha ha ...........................

paint toad · 09-27-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by juddspaintballs

a distribution ground block is perfectly fine

x2

that is my plan

brokeitagain · 09-27-2007, 11:31 PM

I used a dist. block with mine and have no ill effects. I drilled a hole in the floor of my blazer and attached the main ground wire to the frame. FYI

juddspaintballs · 09-28-2007, 12:31 AM

i'm using a fused power distribution and ground distribution combo block. 1/0 in one side with 4 4awg out (for power) and then 4 4awg in and 1/0 out (for ground). i'm grounded to the frame too

97SSindiana · 09-28-2007, 10:16 AM

I only have one amp but plan on having one more soon, so I could run 1/0 to the frame and 2 4's out?

skinnyg · 09-28-2007, 10:24 AM

bladehines · 09-28-2007, 10:53 AM

i will be running around eight 0 gauge grounds to the frame in 1 spot. the more the better on comp systems!

juddspaintballs · 09-28-2007, 02:44 PM

you might as well just solder those grounds to the frame. i can imagine your frame is going to have more resistance than 8 runs of 1/0 to the same spot.

bladehines · 09-28-2007, 02:46 PM

true.....

juddspaintballs · 09-28-2007, 02:49 PM

or have your frame copper plated, lol

bladehines · 09-28-2007, 02:53 PM

heyyyyyyyy now there is a thought!!!!!!!!!

skinnyg · 09-28-2007, 03:22 PM

I have seen alot of guys weld grounds to the frame

97SSindiana · 09-28-2007, 03:53 PM

Wouldnt the heat of the weld damage the wire?

greencactus3 · 09-28-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 97SSindiana

Wouldnt the heat of the weld damage the wire?

i would solder. not weld...
the frame is thinner than the wire. so it wont be TOO hard with a torch

brokeitagain · 09-28-2007, 07:24 PM

weld a 3/8'' bolt to the frame then attach the ground to that. CRIMP and solder a copper lug to the end of the cable attach it to the bolt and then seal it with paint. Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire

Sasquatch · 09-28-2007, 07:34 PM

I never heat my wires, it changes the characteristics of the wire. I use only compression style connections, I never crimp. Use a common ground location, clean all paint and crap off of the metal. And then grease the spot so no rust appears.

brokeitagain · 09-28-2007, 07:55 PM

if u heat copper hot enough to change its characteristics when soldering u dont know how to solder, it takes much more heat to change it that it takes for most standard electrical solders to melt.

paint toad · 09-28-2007, 09:27 PM

crimping before soldering???

use compression fittings instead of solder???

changing the characteristics of wire by soldering???(paraphrasing)

wow.....3 years of electronics in high school and having a father that was an electrician and 20 + years of installing stereos don't quite have me prepared for these statements!

i guess solder or printed circuit boards should never have been invented,huh?

wow....i'm just shaking my head in disbelief

brokeitagain · 09-28-2007, 10:39 PM

fien ok im fuking wrong whatever

paint toad · 09-28-2007, 10:45 PM

had a car that was wrecked......it would not run.....there was a broke wire that was repaired with a butt connector.....it was some sensor wire.....

cut off the connectors solder the wires...heatshrink...wrapped with electrical tape....the car ran!

so if there was an arguement that says butt connectors create resitance....solder does not....then i'd be agreeing right now!

brokeitagain · 09-28-2007, 10:48 PM

what i said:
Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire

what i should have said:
Improperly Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire

i guess i could have been a little more clear. I have seen many "cold soldered" joints that failed because of solder being flowed on to instead of "in to" a solder joint

paint toad · 09-28-2007, 10:59 PM

i solder.....no crimp.....i used to crimp then solder but thought it was a waste of time.....

that's 4 ga. soldered to a 4 lug with no crimp......lifting my vice off the bench....mechanically strong enough for me bro...but i have a tough time seeing greater resistance

juddspaintballs · 09-29-2007, 02:03 AM

i've soldered 4awg with no crimp plenty of times and i'll be damned. the only way to get that lug back off is to melt the solder again.

i still don't understand the statement about changing the characteristics of copper w/heat. copper is copper is copper. when copper is molten it's still copper and when it cools it's still copper. still conducts electricity the same once it's cool

Sasquatch · 09-29-2007, 02:58 AM

I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome.

juddspaintballs · 09-29-2007, 03:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sasquatch

I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome.

i see your point i guess. compression is pretty nice and always looks good to boot

paint toad · 09-29-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sasquatch

I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome.

on that note......i've got high end audio at home.....i've got straightwire level 3 interconnects(4 pairs) and a pair of level 3 speaker cables....all terminations are soldered and i just double checked...they are not crimped!

09-27-2007, 04:41 PM	#1
97SSindiana Sold da SS and gota Jimmy Age: 32 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 615 Location: Bedford User is: OffLine	Grounds Is it a good idea to use a distribution block for grounds so they can all be grounded at the same place? Thanks
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-27-2007, 04:45 PM	#2
bladehines ASASN8 Age: 26 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,617 Location: Bowling Green, KY User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds i don't think it matters just as long as you get them all to a good ground. i will be running mine to pretty much the same spot on the frame with my batteries in the bed.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-27-2007, 06:33 PM	#3
juddspaintballs JED Age: 23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,824 Location: Reisterstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds a distribution ground block is perfectly fine
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09-27-2007, 10:37 PM	#4
beaniebmx Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,736 Location: Iowa User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds a ground is a ground, it doesnt have to all be grounding in the same spot, its best but its no big deal. i personally like to ground my stuff all in one spot if possible
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09-27-2007, 10:48 PM	#5
Speedy2222 I lead the blind Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,484 Location: Kouts, IN User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds Quote: Originally Posted by beaniebmx a ground is a ground, it doesnt have to all be grounding in the same spot, its best but its no big deal. i personally like to ground my stuff all in one spot if possible WRONG if you don't ground them in the same spot you will create a ground loop
	[Reply w/Quote]


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09-27-2007, 10:48 PM	#6
99S10LS Registered User Age: 19 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Frederick, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds As long as its grounded to a good spot(chassis) a dist. block is fine.
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09-27-2007, 11:12 PM	#7
brokeitagain Breakin shit Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 626 Location: Probably building something User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds what exactly is a ground loop? PIC FROM INSTALLER.COM Last edited by brokeitagain : 09-27-2007 at 11:19 PM. Reason: ADDED SOME SHIT
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09-27-2007, 11:26 PM	#8
xdude2001 addicted... to RC ! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 3,929 Location: Sacramento,Ca. User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds ha ha ha ha ...........................
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09-27-2007, 11:30 PM	#9
paint toad i can read Age: 39 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 18,781 Location: morton il User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds Quote: Originally Posted by juddspaintballs a distribution ground block is perfectly fine x2 that is my plan
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09-27-2007, 11:31 PM	#10
brokeitagain Breakin shit Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 626 Location: Probably building something User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds I used a dist. block with mine and have no ill effects. I drilled a hole in the floor of my blazer and attached the main ground wire to the frame. FYI
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 12:31 AM	#11
juddspaintballs JED Age: 23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,824 Location: Reisterstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds i'm using a fused power distribution and ground distribution combo block. 1/0 in one side with 4 4awg out (for power) and then 4 4awg in and 1/0 out (for ground). i'm grounded to the frame too
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 10:16 AM	#12
97SSindiana Sold da SS and gota Jimmy Age: 32 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 615 Location: Bedford User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds I only have one amp but plan on having one more soon, so I could run 1/0 to the frame and 2 4's out?
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 10:24 AM	#13
skinnyg Registered User Age: 28 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,714 Location: Hagerstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds sure
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09-28-2007, 10:53 AM	#14
bladehines ASASN8 Age: 26 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,617 Location: Bowling Green, KY User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds i will be running around eight 0 gauge grounds to the frame in 1 spot. the more the better on comp systems!
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 02:44 PM	#15
juddspaintballs JED Age: 23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,824 Location: Reisterstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds you might as well just solder those grounds to the frame. i can imagine your frame is going to have more resistance than 8 runs of 1/0 to the same spot.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 02:46 PM	#16
bladehines ASASN8 Age: 26 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,617 Location: Bowling Green, KY User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds true.....
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09-28-2007, 02:49 PM	#17
juddspaintballs JED Age: 23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,824 Location: Reisterstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds or have your frame copper plated, lol
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09-28-2007, 02:53 PM	#18
bladehines ASASN8 Age: 26 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,617 Location: Bowling Green, KY User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds heyyyyyyyy now there is a thought!!!!!!!!!
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09-28-2007, 03:22 PM	#19
skinnyg Registered User Age: 28 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,714 Location: Hagerstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds I have seen alot of guys weld grounds to the frame
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09-28-2007, 03:53 PM	#20
97SSindiana Sold da SS and gota Jimmy Age: 32 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 615 Location: Bedford User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds Wouldnt the heat of the weld damage the wire?
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 05:02 PM	#21
greencactus3 bellcranks no more Age: 20 Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 22,954 Location: ann arbor, mi User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds Quote: Originally Posted by 97SSindiana Wouldnt the heat of the weld damage the wire? i would solder. not weld... the frame is thinner than the wire. so it wont be TOO hard with a torch
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 07:24 PM	#22
brokeitagain Breakin shit Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 626 Location: Probably building something User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds weld a 3/8'' bolt to the frame then attach the ground to that. CRIMP and solder a copper lug to the end of the cable attach it to the bolt and then seal it with paint. Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire Last edited by brokeitagain : 09-28-2007 at 07:28 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 07:34 PM	#23
Sasquatch Registered User Age: 34 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 127 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds I never heat my wires, it changes the characteristics of the wire. I use only compression style connections, I never crimp. Use a common ground location, clean all paint and crap off of the metal. And then grease the spot so no rust appears.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 07:55 PM	#24
brokeitagain Breakin shit Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 626 Location: Probably building something User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds if u heat copper hot enough to change its characteristics when soldering u dont know how to solder, it takes much more heat to change it that it takes for most standard electrical solders to melt.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 09:27 PM	#25
paint toad i can read Age: 39 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 18,781 Location: morton il User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds crimping before soldering??? use compression fittings instead of solder??? changing the characteristics of wire by soldering???(paraphrasing) wow.....3 years of electronics in high school and having a father that was an electrician and 20 + years of installing stereos don't quite have me prepared for these statements! i guess solder or printed circuit boards should never have been invented,huh? wow....i'm just shaking my head in disbelief
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 10:39 PM	#26
brokeitagain Breakin shit Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 626 Location: Probably building something User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds fien ok im fuking wrong whatever
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 10:45 PM	#27
paint toad i can read Age: 39 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 18,781 Location: morton il User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds had a car that was wrecked......it would not run.....there was a broke wire that was repaired with a butt connector.....it was some sensor wire..... cut off the connectors solder the wires...heatshrink...wrapped with electrical tape....the car ran! so if there was an arguement that says butt connectors create resitance....solder does not....then i'd be agreeing right now!
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 10:48 PM	#28
brokeitagain Breakin shit Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 626 Location: Probably building something User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds what i said: Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire what i should have said: Improperly Soldering lugs on without first crimping them can create a resistance, but if u crimp one on them solder u have an excellent electrical and mechanical connection to the wire i guess i could have been a little more clear. I have seen many "cold soldered" joints that failed because of solder being flowed on to instead of "in to" a solder joint Last edited by brokeitagain : 09-28-2007 at 10:50 PM. Reason: more shit
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-28-2007, 10:59 PM	#29
paint toad i can read Age: 39 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 18,781 Location: morton il User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds i solder.....no crimp.....i used to crimp then solder but thought it was a waste of time..... that's 4 ga. soldered to a 4 lug with no crimp......lifting my vice off the bench....mechanically strong enough for me bro...but i have a tough time seeing greater resistance Last edited by paint toad : 09-28-2007 at 11:01 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-29-2007, 02:03 AM	#30
juddspaintballs JED Age: 23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,824 Location: Reisterstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds i've soldered 4awg with no crimp plenty of times and i'll be damned. the only way to get that lug back off is to melt the solder again. i still don't understand the statement about changing the characteristics of copper w/heat. copper is copper is copper. when copper is molten it's still copper and when it cools it's still copper. still conducts electricity the same once it's cool
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-29-2007, 02:58 AM	#31
Sasquatch Registered User Age: 34 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 127 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome.
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-29-2007, 03:18 AM	#32
juddspaintballs JED Age: 23 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,824 Location: Reisterstown, MD User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds Quote: Originally Posted by Sasquatch I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome. i see your point i guess. compression is pretty nice and always looks good to boot
	[Reply w/Quote]

09-29-2007, 08:38 AM	#33
paint toad i can read Age: 39 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 18,781 Location: morton il User is: OffLine	Re: Grounds Quote: Originally Posted by Sasquatch I am not saying that soldering does not work well, it is the strongest connection, I am talking about the audible properties. I had extremely highend audio when I was first married, the kids changed all that, but I tried listening to soldered connections vs the compression style, and man, what a difference. Crimped is garbage, compression is awesome. on that note......i've got high end audio at home.....i've got straightwire level 3 interconnects(4 pairs) and a pair of level 3 speaker cables....all terminations are soldered and i just double checked...they are not crimped!
	[Reply w/Quote]