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MASTERCELL mounted in 1967 Mustang wired with the Infinitybox System

Mounting Cells

June 8, 2016/1 Comment/in Wiring /by admin

So, here’s where we are in the wiring process for our customer’s 1967 Mustang. They mounted the primary fuses and ran power from the battery. Now it is time for mounting cells in the car. They are using our 20-Circuit Harness kit, which includes one MASTERCELL and two POWERCELLs. The MASTERCELL connects to the switches in the car (ignition, starter, turn signals, lights, cooling fan sensor, etc.). The POWERCELLs are where the power comes from to turn on the powered things like the ignition, starter solenoid, turn signals, lights, cooling fan and other accessories.

The Infinitybox system works differently from other wiring harnesses. With a traditional wiring harness, you have one box with fuses and relays in the center of the car with wire flowing everywhere from this center point. With the Infinitybox system, you distribute the wiring through the car. This lets you put the power distribution where you need it to keep the runs of wire short.

The MASTERCELL is going to connect to all of your switches. Most of these are located around the steering wheel. That is where you are going to want to mount it. There are two POWERCELLs in this kit. One for the front of the car and one for the rear. You want to mount these POWERCELLs near the things that you are turning on and off. This keeps the runs of wire short and makes installation easier in the car.

We always suggest that customers start by walking around the car and make a list of the switched electrical functions in the car. Our configuration sheets are a great planning tool for this. This link will take you to the standard Front-Engine configuration that is our most popular. Outside of the normal things like lights, ignition, turn signals, fuel pumps, horns and fans, think about the other things that need switched power like amps, extra lights, transmission controllers and other custom features.

Each cell has 4 mounting points in the corners of the housings. These are designed for a 1/4″ bolt. Our preferred mounting method is to use a 1/4″ X 5/8″ shoulder screw. The advantage with a shoulder screw is that you can’t over tighten the screw and crush the mounting point. If you are using a traditional bolt, take care not to over-tighten it and crush plastic collar.

Here are few things to consider when mounting cells. For the easiest install, you want your MASTERCELL to be as close to the switches as possible. You can mount your MASTERCELL in the glove box, in the center console, behind, the dash or behind a kick panel. In the case of this 1967 Mustang, the customer mounted the MASTERCELL above and to the left of the pedal box. Here’s a good picture.

Infinitybox MASTERCELL mounted next to the pedal box in a 1967 Mustang Resto Mod

This location is out of the way but still gives them easy access to the MASTERCELL. The screen on the MASTERCELL is a very important diagnostic tool in the system. You won’t need to get to this often, but you want to make sure that you can get to it when you need it. Also if you have our inLINK radio, the antenna is in the MASTERCELL. You want to make sure that it isn’t buried in the car to get the most range on the key fobs. There are really no other things to worry about when mounting the MASTERCELL outside of keeping the CAN cables and input wires away from the high-voltage wires on your ignition system. This is true for any piece of electronics in the car, not just your Infinitybox hardware.

The input wires from the MASTERCELL will connect this cell to all of the switches in the car. We’ll cover that part in later parts of this install series.

The POWERCELLs are next. You want to put these close to the things that you are powering. In the case of the front POWERCELL, this includes your dash power, ignition, starter solenoid, head lights, high-beams, turn signals, running lights, horn and cooling fan. In the case of the rear POWERCELL, this includes the tail lights, brake lights, fuel pump, reverse lights, turn signals and audio in the trunk. Remember that your POWERCELLs contain the fuses that protect the wires in your harnesses. You want to have easy access to these cells in case one of these fuses opens. There are also diagnostic indicators on the POWERCELLs that give you a wealth of information about how the system is operating. You want to have good access to the cell to see these indicator lights.

The customer mounted the rear POWERCELL in the driver’s side corner of the trunk. Here’s a good picture.

Rear POWERCELL in trunk of 1967 Mustang wired with the Infinitybox system.

They fabricated a mounting plate to support it nicely. Here’s a close up shot of the cell and the mounting plate.

Rear POWERCELL mounted in 1967 Mustang wired with the Infinitybox system.

This POWERCELL will be hidden behind a trim panel in the trunk. From this location, the runs of output wire to the turn signals, brake lights, fuel pump and running lights is very short and easy to install.

This customer did something unique in their mounting of the front POWERCELL. They wanted a completely clean engine compartment so they mounted the POWERCELL behind the driver’s fender. See this picture.

Location of front POWERCELL in 1967 Mustang wired with the Infinitybox system.

They fabricated a sealed door inside the wheel well. They can turn the wheels to the left, open the panel and get easy access to the POWERCELL if they need. Here’s a closer shot of the mounting location.

Front POWERCELL Mounted in 1967 Mustang

This location gives them very short runs of wire from the POWERCELL to their ECU, starter solenoid, lights, turn signals, cooling fan, horn and dash power.

Depending on your car and your project, you can mount the POWERCELLs practically anywhere in the car. The cells are rated to 125 degrees Celsius (260 F). This means that you can mount them under the hood. They were designed and tested to survive the temperature, shock and chemical exposure of the under-hood environment. Like the MASTERCELL and any other piece of electronics in your car, you want to keep them clear of the ignition coils and high-voltage ignition wiring. You also want to keep them out of the direct radiated heat of your exhaust headers.

Now that mounting cells in the car is complete, the next post will cover running primary power from the Mega fuses to the POWERCELLs. Stay tuned for this next post. If you have questions or comments, please click on this link to contact us.

Example of a General Motors Ignition Switch

GM Ignition Switch

November 19, 2015/0 Comments/in Wiring /by admin

Wiring any switch into the Infinitybox system is really easy. You just have to remember that the MASTERCELL input wire needs to get connected to ground to turn something on. In most cases, you can simply connect the MASTERCELL input to one side of the switch and ground the other. When you close the switch, the MASTERCELL input gets connected to ground and the output turns on. This blog post is going to cover wiring the GM Ignition Switch with our Infinitybox system.

With most OEM switches and the original switches that are in your car, you can connect the battery feed from the switch to ground. Then you connect the MASTERCELL input wire to the terminal on the switch that powered the original function. Here’s a good example for a GM Ignition Switch. This GM Ignition Switch was used in most Chevrolet and Pontiac cars from 1969 through 1994.

Picture of a wiring diagram showing how to connect Infinitybox MASTERCELL inputs to the GM Ignition Switch

You connect the original battery feeds for the GM ignition switch to ground. You then connect the MASTERCELL input wires for the ignition and starter to their respective terminals on the switch. When you turn the key to the ignition position, the switch connects the MASTERCELL input wire for the ignition to the ground through the battery terminal. This sends a signal to the POWERCELL to turn on the ignition output. The same thing happens when you turn the key to the starter position. We created a simple wiring diagram showing you how to wire this GM ignition switch.

You can download a copy of this wiring diagram by clicking this link.

You can contact our technical support team with more questions at this link.

Picture of the Infinitybox MASTERCELL inSIGHT Screen

Error Log

September 16, 2015/0 Comments/in Wiring /by admin

There are lots of things that set our Infinitybox wiring system apart from traditional harnesses. Our troubleshooting and diagnostics is probably one of the most significant features that we offer. The system will tell you where there are problems in the wiring harness, with no tools required.

One of the more significant features that is built into every one of our systems is our Error Log. This is an advanced troubleshooting tool that can help to identify problems with a system installed in any vehicle. The system actively monitors key parameters in the wiring harness. If these go out of their expected range, the MASTERCELL stores these errors and has the capability to display them back for problem solving.

Let’s start with a deeper dive into how the system works. When you turn on a switch, the MASTERCELL sees the input get grounded. It sends a signal to the POWERCELL to turn on an output. Before the POWERCELL can turn on that output, it needs to check to make sure that everything is safe to do so. There are three critical parameters that the POWERCELLs check before they can turn on an output: the primary battery voltage, the charge pump voltage and the POWERCELL temperature. The POWERCELL is continuously monitoring these values and making decision on what to do with them.

The primary battery voltage is an easy one. The voltage that the POWERCELL is fed from the battery has to be in a specific range. A charged battery should be at about 12.8 volts. When the engine is running and the alternator is charging, that voltage should be between 13.8 to 14.2 volts. The Infinitybox system has internal high and low limits that it watches for the primary battery voltage. The system can operate down to 6.5 volts and up to 19.0 volts. If the measured voltage goes outside of these limits, the POWERCELL will shut the outputs off for safety. In general, your system should be operating between 12.2 and 14.2 volts. If you’re outside of that, you have a battery or charging issue.

The next one is charge pump voltage. This is an internal measurement that we take to assess the health of the POWERCELL. A charge pump is exactly what it sounds like. We have circuitry on the board that pumps up a charge and stores it. This stored charge is used to turn the MOSFETs on. We don’t use relays on the POWERCELL, we use solid-state MOSFETs. These can do a lot more than a relay but they need to be turned on a specific way. That’s what the charge pump does. We monitor the charge pump voltage and display it as part of the POWERCELL statistics. Depending on the software version, some systems will display CP Volts. Other systems may display CP Delta. If your system shows CP volts, this number should be above 22-volts. If your system shows CP Delta, it should be above 12.0. Again, this in an internal measurement that we use to assess the health of the POWERCELL.

The last measurement that we take is board temperature. Each board has a small temperature sensor mounted on it. This lets the processor monitor the temperature on the printed circuit board. This temperature is a combination of the heat generated on the board and the heat from the environment that the POWERCELL is mounted in. All of the components on the POWERCELL boards are rated to 125 degrees Celsius (257 degrees Fahrenheit). If the board temperature measured by the processor approaches this 125 C limit, it shuts the outputs down for safety.

So lets look at the error log. If a POWERCELL records an error, it sends it to the MASTERCELL which stores it in a list. The MASTERCELL stores 8 errors. New errors that are recorded push the oldest errors out of this list. The MASTERCELL reports the Uptime when the error was recorded, the cell that reported it and the outputs associated with it. The uptime is a clock that starts when the system is powered up. You can see this when it is running normally. This is not a real-time clock because it does not continue to run when the system is shut down.

To get to the error log, you first remove the clear cover from the MASTERCELL. Then you press and release the HOME and SCROLL DOWN buttons under the screen. Hold them together for one second then let them go. The MASTERCELL will display any errors that it has stored. If you want to stop the error log process at any time, simply press and hold the HOME button for 5 seconds.

Our technical support team can learn a lot about your electrical system by looking at the events recorded in the error log. It is usually easiest for you just to record a video of the error log running with your smart phone and send that to our team. We can analyze it for you.

By looking at the events in the error log, we can identify problems with your grounds, your battery, your charging system and how you have the system installed in your car. Check out this video to learn more.

Contact our technical support team if you have any questions about our error log, our diagnostics, our troubleshooting capabilities or any other questions related to our Infinitybox wiring system.

Picture of wiring diagram showing how to connect power window switches to Infinitybox MASTERCELL inputs

Wiring Power Window Switches

September 2, 2015/0 Comments/in Wiring /by admin

Electric-Life Power Window Switches

The inputs to our MASTERCELL are really flexible. They can connect to practically any switch in your car. When it comes to wiring power window switches, it is really easy.

Remember that takes a very small current to turn on a MASTERCELL input. This small current at the switch can be used to control very high levels of current at a POWERCELL. It can also be used to control large amounts of current through an inMOTION cell plus change polarity output. You use inMOTION to control things that need to change direction, like power windows, lock actuators, exhaust cutouts and linear actuators. inMOTION changes the flow of current, which changes the direction of the motion.

A lot of guys ask us how to wire their power window switches to the MASTERCELL inputs. The answer is very simple. Remember that the MASTERCELL inputs work by getting connected to ground through the switch. In most cases, you what was the power feed to the switch to ground, then connect the MASTERCELL input wires to the output terminals on the switch. In most cases, you can figure this out with a multi-meter set on the resistance setting. Set the meter to its auto range or its lowest range. Connect the leads of the meter to the power terminal on the switch and one of the output terminals. With the switch in the center position, the resistance should be very high. When you push the switch in one direction, you should see continuity through the switch. Repeat this process for the other terminal on the switch.

We created an example wiring diagram for the 4920-10-260 power window switch sold by Electric-Life. These are a very common switch and you see these in lots of cars. This diagram will show you the terminal that you need to connect to ground and the terminals that you need to connect to your MASTERCELL inputs. Please note that you must use the wire colors that are detailed in the configuration sheet that came with your kit.

Picture of wiring diagram showing how to connect power window switches to Infinitybox MASTERCELL inputs

This link will take you to PDF of this diagram showing you wiring power window switches.

If you have a power window switch that you are trying to figure out, give our team a call at (847) 232-1991. We are always here to help.

Picture of the Limeworks TS1342 Turn Signal Switch

Wiring Turn Signals- Limeworks TS1342

August 13, 2015/0 Comments/in Wiring /by admin

We get a lot of questions about wiring turn signals. Our MASTERCELL inputs are very flexible. These let you connect practically any switch to the Infinitybox system. We have other blog posts that show you how to wire GM-style steering columns to the Infinitybox MASTERCELL. You can check that out here. Flaming River columns and IDIDIT columns use the exact same connector so you can use the same instructions.

We got a call from a customer installing a TS1342 turn signal switch sold by Limeworks. This is a very classy turn signal switch with a very retro look. There are two versions: one for a 1 1/2″ column and one for a 1 3/4″ column. It also has a lit end that can be used as a turn signal indicator if you don’t have one on your dash.

The customer asked about how to wire the turn signal switch into his Infinitybox MASTERCELL. It’s is such a good question, we created a new application note for it and posted it.

The wiring diagram that comes with the switch shows the need to use a 3-prong flasher module. You need this if you’re connecting it to a traditional wiring harness. If you’re connecting it to our Infinitybox system, you don’t need the flasher. We build that into the system so no external flashers are required. This diagram shows you how to connect the Limeworks TS1342 turn signal switch into the Infinitybox system.

Picture of wiring diagram showing how to wire the Limeworks TS1342 turn signal switch with the Infinitybox system.

The MASTERCELL inputs work by getting connected to ground. This column switch was designed to supply battery voltage to a flasher, which fed the turn signal bulbs. As we said above, we can eliminate the flasher. To make it work with the MASTERCELL inputs, you simply ground the wire on the switch that was connected to the battery. The two wires that connected to the left and right turn signals will connect to their respective inputs on the MASTERCELL. That’s it. When you push the switch to the left, you’re electrically connecting the former power wire to the left turn signal input. Since the former power wire is grounded, the left turn signal input wire gets connected to ground. The MASTERCELL sees this and tells the POWERCELLs to flash the left turn signal. The same thing happens for the right turn signal. The diagram shows you which wires on the switch need to connect to the MASTERCELL inputs. Use the configuration sheet that came with your kit as a guide to identify the MASTERCELL wire colors.

The other thing that you’ll notice in our wiring diagram is that the brake pedal switch doesn’t get connected to the turn signal switch. The original wiring diagram had that because the brake pedal jumpered the left and right turn signals together for the brake lights. This is something that we manage within the MASTERCELL. If your rear turn signals are also your brake lights, you simply use the MASTERCELL input that is assigned to the 1-filament brake lights and connect that to your brake pedal switch.

The last thing to talk about in this post is turn signal indicators. Depending on your gauges, you can handle this a few different ways. If you have turn signal indicators on your dash, we recommend splicing off the left and right turn signal outputs on the front POWERCELL and connect them to the indicators. Most turn signal indicators draw very little current so you can run a light gauge wire, like 22-AWG from the POWERCELL outputs to the indicators. If you’re using LED’s make sure that you’re paying attention to their polarity. Also, check the voltage rating of your LED’s. Most are rated to 5 volts or less. You may have to add a resistor in series to limit the current flowing through the LED. Give our tech guys a call if you have question here.

One of the cool things about the TS1342 is that it has an indicator light on the tip of the stalk. It can flash when the turn signals are flashing. To do this, you need to splice off the POWERCELL outputs for the left & right turn signals like I mentioned above. Since there is only one light, you need to connect the outputs together. However, you need to put diodes in the circuit to isolate the left turn signal from the right. Without these diodes, the left turn signal would flash when the right was flashing and vice veat companies like www.digikey.com or www.mouser.com. Or you can pick these up at a Radio Shack if they are still open where you are. See the diagram for details on how to install these diodes. Remember, the orientation of the diodes is critical.

You can download a PDF of this application note showing wiring turn signals using the Limeworks TS1342 turn signal switch. If you have any questions about this, feel free to reach out to our technical support team at (847) 232-1991. Or click on this link to contact our team directly.

Image showing how to wire a switch with an Indicator Light to the Infinitybox MASTERCELL

Wiring a switch with an indicator

January 2, 2015/0 Comments/in Wiring /by admin

The inputs to the Infinitybox MASTERCELL are very easy to use. You simply connect the input wire to a switch and ground the other side. When you turn on the switch, the input gets connected to ground, which tells the MASTERCELL to turn on a POWERCELL output. You can get your ground connection from either the ground wires that we supply in the MASTERCELL harness or you can connect them right to ground on your chassis. This approach reduces the total number of wires that you need to go to your switch and lets us a very small gauge of wire to connect to the switch.

Sometimes, a customer wants to use a switch that has an indicator light built into it. That is very easy to do with the addition of a few simple components.

Here is an example of a popular switch that a lot of our customers use. It is a simple, round toggle switch. There is an LED built into the switch that can light up the rocker when the switch is in the on position. You can purchase a switch like this from Waytek by clicking this link.

Image showing how to wire a switch with an Indicator Light to the Infinitybox MASTERCELL

The important thing to note here is that you MUST install a diode in the input wire from the MASTERCELL to the switch. This should be a 1N4001 diode and can be purchased on-line. Please note that the direction of the diode is very important. The stripe on the diode should be on the side of the wire that is connected to the switch, not the side going to the MASTERCELL.

You can get your 12-volts from anywhere in the car. If you want, you can use Ignition power from the POWERCELL for the indicators. That way your switches will only light when the ignition to the car is on. Alternately, you can wire this directly to a constant power supply from the battery.

Also note that the polarity of the wiring to the switch is important. Make sure that you are looking at the wiring diagram that came with your switch and referencing our wiring diagram.

If you follow these simple instructions, your switch indicators will light up when you turn on the switch. You can download a PDF version of this wiring diagram by clicking this link.

If you have any additional questions about this wiring diagram, please reach out to our technical support team at (847) 232-1991 or email us at sales@infinitybox.com. You can also contact our team by clicking this link.

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