Questions about the ISIS electrical system.

Hello all,

I am researching the GTM build and have come across people mentioning the ISIS electrical system. I have checked out their website and as much as it looks interesting it is making my brain melt :P.

So my question to those who have dealt with the ISIS system, what are the advantages? disadvantages? what can you plug into it? does it replace the entire engine harness or just parts of it?

In the end i am wondering if it is really needed or if I should just muck about with the electrical that came with the donor car and kit.

Thank you all in advance,

P

I am going with the ISIS system for a number of reasons: 1) microprocessor based electical system, 2) scalability, 3) easy of diagnosing circuit issues 4) centralization to a touch screen panel, 5) integration with Smart Phone (i.e. Droid and iPhone) 6) over reduction of voltage through all components.

I guess the answer depends on what type of build you're contemplating. If you get a complete donor car there are a few builds out there that are utilizing many more of the Vette's systems including ABS, traction control, gauge cluster, HUD, etc. If you are going for a basic build you don't need ISIS. It doesn't replace any of the engine wiring or controls. What it does do is add a little sophistication and in some ways wiring simplification. It gives different options for instance push button start, security, it will fade interior lights, allow control of auxiliary engine bay fans, etc. It's really an input/output control system. The inputs are low amperage so the wire can be smaller and the remote powercells reduce the length of the load carrying wires to things like lights, horns, etc.
HTH
Keith

You're on the right track doing the research and study up front. Keith's description is spot on and should make the read on the ISIS site a little easier. There are also some great youtube videos showing some of the almost endless capabilities of the system with some of its additions. Keep in mind, all of the electrical system power consumers will still need/get their required current (or they wont function properly) regardless of the system you use and it does not replace the PCM.

When I began considering this build I went through this thought process for my electrical system. I tried to keep every factor in mind as I decided. My skill set, cost and items I wanted incorporated into my build were three major factors. Knowing your factors will aid greatly as you go through your decision process.

Thank you for all the great information :D.

So far I this is what I was thinking of installing in the car:

mechanical: engine harness, ABS, traction control, gauge cluster, power steering (optional)
electrical: headlights/daytime running lights, fog lights, turn signals/hazard/brakes, interior lighting, stereo, power mirrors and seats.

and anything else I am missing from the above.

Thank you for all the great advice so far.

P

Personally, unless you need the capabilities of also controlling unmanned drones over Afhganistan, the Painless harness is fine. Plus you have the benefit of not needed a trickle charger on it when left for more than 1 day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fact5racer

Personally, unless you need the capabilities of also controlling unmanned drones over Afhganistan, the Painless harness is fine. Plus you have the benefit of not needed a trickle charger on it when left for more than 1 day.

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I would not install the ISIS in any car without also installing their "inReserve" option.....which eliminates the battery drain problem completely....if you wire and use it correctly.

Other than that, yes, the ISIS is very handy if you're planning on doing anything besides the very basics with your electrical system. Push button start, built in security (that can be integrated into many functions like door poppers and such so that those systems won't function when the system is armed), timed lights, timed pulses for things like door poppers or hatch release if you're using the 'Vette hatch latch. If you're just looking to do the bare basics for an electrical system, I would recommend sticking with the Painless harness that comes with the kit.

Just watched the videos on their website and it made much more sense to me. I can definitely see the pluses of the system. Like I mentioned before I want to install a stereo w/ amp and sub, daytime running lights, third brake light, power seats and a few others over and above the basic wiring. The ability for a push button start and a security system are a bonus (especially the security).

The inReserve option seems to be a double edge sword. When it kicks in all my presets are gone. I know that this would happen no matter what when the battery dies but would be a massive inconvenience if I have to reset everything every few days because the inReserve system activates.

P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by narkosys

The inReserve option seems to be a double edge sword. When it kicks in all my presets are gone. I know that this would happen no matter what when the battery dies but would be a massive inconvenience if I have to reset everything every few days because the inReserve system activates.

P

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I don't think that that is the case. It really all depends upon how you set up your memory components power supply.

Exactly what crash said. You need to make sure that you have your PCM memory and your stereo memory wired direct to the battery. They pull next to nothing for amperage, so no problem leaving those circuits hot full time. Just wire EVERYTHING else (except the starter) thru the inReserve and you're good to go. On top of that, it is very beneficial to the battery to mount the momentary switch for the inReserve on the outside of the car, and whenever you are going to leave the car for more than a half day, manually trip the inReserve with the switch to cut the power. Otherwise, the inReserve won't kick it out until the battery is down to 12.2v. The security system remembers what it was set to before it was shut down, so even if you arm the security and then trip the inReserve out.....and a theif found the manual inReserve switch and hit it, the ISIS will power up, but the security will still be set......so if you have door poppers set up, they will still not operate, starter won't work, ignition won't turn on etc........