Power Distribution Block (battery)

[Carography]

I have the engine in (blueprint / sniper2 - 302) and I am starting to connect everything. I am using a PDB for battery / starter connections. I am wondering were to mount it. I am inclined to mount it in the engine bay for later access. But where? I suppose I could be convinced to mount it behind the dash. Where have others installed theirs Top of the passenger foot box?
I plan on running the +batt cable to the starter, then a cable from the starter to the PDB where the Ron Francis starter harness will connect. Thoughts?
I am using a PDB like this one.
220393

[Papa]

That's a picture from my build. The bus bar is mounted inside the firewall opposite the wiper motor.

I ran from the battery to the starter, and then from the starter to the bus bar. All the main power feeds are connected to the bus bar as you describe and haven't had any issues.

[gbranham]

Mine is on the firewall, cockpit side.

220394

[Papa]

Mine is on the firewall, cockpit side.

220394

This is what I'm doing in my Coupe to accommodate the various electrical gadgets I'm using:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=220318&d=1760718133

[Blitzboy54]

I put mine on top of the passenger footbox. My firewall is crowded with all the stuff for the Coyote. This turned out to be handy while troubleshooting an electrical issue later. It’s very accessible.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=211414&d=1741819027

[mrglaeser]

I put a very similar block on the round tube about where the start is. I had installed the RF Harness and all the wires attached to the starter like in the manual an didn't like it. I picked up a distribution block and installed it close to the starter as all the wiring was already there. I think it actually is an easy place to get to, cleans everything up, and worked out better than I hoped.


I ran the main power feed (4 Gauge) to the first post, then all the RF wires to the middle post, and then the last post to the starter.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-zzn69j3/0/L7csH8L6tvcJ2WdQbVbpD84RGrDdqVZZZphWWVKNP/X2/20250504_095627-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-zzn69j3/A)

https://photos.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-6DZrTbP/0/L4nHwZQ7nWbWjZxHpN6hNr9gzKMhVhD4FgbLZtPXL/X2/20250509_170136-X2.jpg (https://mattglaeser.smugmug.com/Home/9999-Factory-Five-Roadster/i-6DZrTbP/A)

[CraigS]

... I am inclined to mount it in the engine bay for later access. But where? I suppose I could be convinced to mount it behind the dash. Where have others installed theirs Top of the passenger foot box?

I like it either on the footbox near the firewall or on the firewall itself. I definitely like to keep the heavy amp stuff out of the passenger compartment. At either spot it is easy access for any additional work and is out of the way as much as possible from accident damage
I plan on running the +batt cable to the starter, then a cable from the starter to the PDB where the Ron Francis starter harness will connect. Thoughts?
Yes. The starter can draw as much as 300amps so run the battery cable right to the starter. A connection at the battery post and another at the starter makes for less chance of power loss. The rest of the car, even w/ everything on at the same time, should be <100amps so I see the wire from the starter to the buss bar sized for say 100 amps or maybe a little more. Wherever it falls on wire sizing vs load charts w/ a little extra for insurance.