Distro block question

[Chexi]

Okay all, I have a Mobilespec distribution block (here http://mobilespec.com/p-86-digital-4...ion-block.aspx) that has a pair of 0 AWG or 4 AWG power and ground "inputs" plus 4 sets of fused outputs. However, it also has a second set of what appears to be unfused 0 or 4 AWG inputs or outputs on the opposite side as the inputs. I thought originally that this might be to hook a capacitor up to (and maybe it is), but what I am wondering is whether I can run a power and ground from these mystery connectors to another distro block or fuse panel for my ballast system that I am installing. I want to run my ballast off my audio battery and this would seem to be the perfect way to do it, because (a) I can use bare wire and don't have to figure out a way to crimp 4 AWG wire, (b) I already have an in-line fuse on the power line to the 1st distro block just off the battery, so I would not need to do another one for the ballast setup, and (c) my binding posts on my battery already have several connections on them already and not wiring the ballast fuse panel up to the battery directly will make disconnecting and reconnecting the battery that much easier and less confusing. Your thoughts oh great PN brain?

Note, I know that the easy answer is to just test it out, but (a) I would have to cut off 1 terminal end that is already on the ground cable I intend to use and I don't want to do that unless I know it will work, and (b) my boat is 60 miles away, and I won't be able to test until Saturday.

[kaikane]

Hey Chexi,

Yes, you could use the power block in that fashion. That non fused channel is designed for the ground side so that power & ground can be run from one unit. Doesn't really matter what you are powering, amps or ballast pumps. The only issue you might verify is the total amp requirement for what you are runnign off the dist block. I think that has a total capcity of 400 amps, as it's similar to the Soundstream version I use.

[Chexi]

Hey Chexi,

Yes, you could use the power block in that fashion. That non fused channel is designed for the ground side so that power & ground can be run from one unit. Doesn't really matter what you are powering, amps or ballast pumps. The only issue you might verify is the total amp requirement for what you are runnign off the dist block. I think that has a total capcity of 400 amps, as it's similar to the Soundstream version I use.

Thank you very much. I'm pretty sure that I'm under 400 amps even with the 3 ballast pumps. My distro block may be a bit different than yours though. It has a power and ground on the top AND a power and ground on the bottom (plus 4pairs of power and ground outputs). I have all my audio equipment power and grounds running to this distro block and the block has power from the audio battery and ground to the engine battery (common ground), but I still have open the 2nd power and ground lines on the bottom of the unit. Note, I use a blue seas isolator combiner system, which is why I think is why I'm still grounding to the engine battery.

[Chexi]

Just in case anyone ever has this question in the future and finds this thread, I hooked up the power out from my distribition block capacitor out (it does says capacitor on the unit on this out) and hooked that up to the power in on a blue seas 8 fuse blade fuse panel. I hooked up a ground from the blue seas main ground directly to my audio battery. I did this as I already had a good battery ring terminal on my ground line from before I started the project. It works beautifully. So yes, as I suspected, the capacitor outs are really just an unfused additional out on the distro block.