to ISIS or not???

[Fugly_Old_Cowboy]

ok... I've seen a LOT of guys are going with the ISIS system... please forgive my lack of knowledge on such things.. best I can figure is that if you want the touch screen it's the way to go, but otherwise I just don't see the advantage of the system... can anyone shed a bit of light for a hick that lives in the dark...:confused:

[fact5racer]

Like I've always said: If you need the option of controlling unmanned drones over Afghanistan, then it's the way to go. Out of my 4 GTMs I used it once and it was by far the worst of all of them wiring wise. Both in installation and more importantly: performance and reliability.

[kabacj]

I like the gizmo factor of controlling my car with my iPhone and the ability to support every behavior you get in a modern car. Theater dimming lights in the cabin. LED lights anywhere with no messing with resistors to allow for correct directional function. Controlling every function with any switch I choose as all switches including hvac are low voltage CAN circuits.

And finally very specific motor controls. (Like those needed to control frameless windows that open and shut when you open the door.

As Gary says you add complexity but the wiring is not hard. There is a learning curve for the Isis.

But I don't regret my purchase. I'm very excited by the unlimited ability to customize.

John

[The Stig]

ok... I've seen a LOT of guys are going with the ISIS system... please forgive my lack of knowledge on such things.. best I can figure is that if you want the touch screen it's the way to go, but otherwise I just don't see the advantage of the system... can anyone shed a bit of light for a hick that lives in the dark...:confused:

Go with the ISIS system. And don't look back! I have had Whitby Motors, myself and my neighbor, and now a professional mechanic involved in wiring my car. And it still isn't wired. I was told today that it will be finished by the end of this coming week... Where have I heard that before? I told him that I have a hard schedule of having the car at the interior shop by the 3rd week of January. So if it's not done, it leave his shop without being finished...

Long story short, there seems to be an extraordinary amount of complexity in using the wiring harness/kit that comes with the kit. The ISIS system appears to be infinitely easier to understand and to install. Not to mention the level of customer support that ISIS provides.

My next build will definitely have a full ISIS system involved.

Mike

[carlewms]

While I have not installed it on a GTM, I have considerable experience in overseeing prototype vehicles for the military which used similar systems and standards.

I am in the process of installing the ISIS system on my roadster. If you want to check out my observations on the system check out posts 76 and 78 on my build thread (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?9583-Carl-s-Mk-4-Roadster-Build/page2).

if I were building a GTM I would definitely use ISIS. Before committing one way or the other I would consider your requirements and budget (ISIS is more expensive in up front costs than a conventional wiring system).

Carl

[fact5racer]

Mike, you must have gypsies wiring your car! Jim Schenk wired my first GTM in just one day! The worst by far was my i Square system (early isis)

[Fugly_Old_Cowboy]

I like the gizmo factor of controlling my car with my iPhone and the ability to support every behavior you get in a modern car. Theater dimming lights in the cabin. LED lights anywhere with no messing with resistors to allow for correct directional function. Controlling every function with any switch I choose as all switches including hvac are low voltage CAN circuits.

And finally very specific motor controls. (Like those needed to control frameless windows that open and shut when you open the door.

As Gary says you add complexity but the wiring is not hard. There is a learning curve for the Isis.

But I don't regret my purchase. I'm very excited by the unlimited ability to customize.

John



it's the "gizmo factor" that I'm wondering about... I'm just a hick out in the sticks & am not exposed to many gizmos out here, I still work from the original ATV..(horseback). ... I've added electric windows to old trucks, replaced factory gauge clusters with AutoMeter (& other) gauges, adapted a Chevy 93 S-10 4cyl gauge cluster into a ford 7.3L diesel powered truck... I have no doubt I can get ALL the GTM wiring done even if the kit didn't come with wiring.... I definitely have to do more research, but from what I see so far the ISIS is for folks that either want to use the touch pad or Iphone (I use a Motorola Android) to work their electronics OR for someone that can't/won't build a more conventional fuse box system..... I know for a fact I won't be using the touch pad system... as far as switches go, there are tons of window, light, wiper, ect, ect,ect styles & types available out there so I don't think finding what I want will be toooooo dificult...

[carlewms]

Folks,

For what it is worth I did not choose ISIS because of the gizmos since a roadster does not have too much need for these.

1. Less Wiring: Instead of routing power for multiple loads (read positive) from a fuse box in the DS foot box, power is run a much shorter distance from the POWERCELL to the load. In the headlight example you reduce wiring by about 2.5 ft;
2. Reduction in Use of Relays/Flashers. Since this function for all loads less than 25A is inside ISIS, this eliminates most relays required. At this point the only relays I believe I will have are the fan relay, the seat warmers and the AC unit. No flashers will be required;
3. Reduction in Connections. With proper planning there will be less connections increasing system reliability and safety. Most relays have 4 connections 2 for the control side and 2 for the power side;
4. Eliminates the conventional Fuse Panel. You trade the fuse panel for the MASTERCELL and distributed POWERCELLS. You can argue that your adding 2 more black boxes vice the one fuse panel. True but you are trading a "dumb" fuse panel incapable of BITE (Built In Test Equipment) increasing reliability and capability you just cannot get with a traditional fuse panel as well as eliminating numerous connections of the components on the panel;
5. Control. ISIS you have control of how power is applied to a load. With its Soft Start programming the power applied to the headlights is gradually applied allowing the filaments to heat up slowly increasing reliability and life of the light;
6. MEGA Fuse Box. The box will be located immediately above the battery on the PS F-panel. This fused panel provides additional protection for power being distributed to the two POWERCELLs. Each individual circuit is protected inside the powercell. In the current conventional wiring system, there is not really any protection between the positive side of the battery and the fuse panel or ignition switch; and,
7. Easier Trouble Shooting. The system provides continuous real time system testing and easier fault isolation. You can isolate a fault down to the load level by simply checking the status on the MASTERCELL or POWERCELL without breaking out a multimeter or circuit tester.

Here is a simplified overview of the system I prepared to help me understand it better:

24920

From my research, comparing experiences installing the first generation system to the current system is like comparing a Mk 1 roadster kit to a Mk 4 roadster kit. There has been a lot of product improvement since the first systems were designed and produced.

If you feel more comfortable and experienced with wiring things conventionally and less with the more computerized control system in an ISIS like system, then it may not be the best choice for your build.

Good Luck!

Carl