I'm relatively new to farkling but I've quickly used up all the battery terminal space on my '91. Battery tender permanent connection, VFRness, voltmeter (not installed yet as I have no room!), etc. So, I've started to educate myself about fuse blocks and came across the Termin-8 by Powerlet. I did a search on this site to see what folks thought about them for VFRs and didn't have any hits.
So... just thought I'd bring it to everyone's attention in case others are looking for a straight forward solution to a cluttered up battery. If anyone as advice, experience, tips, warnings, etc. I'd love to hear them!
Oh, and for some reason racerpartswholesale.com has them for $10 less than everyone else. Just FYI (don't work for them or Powerlet!).
I provides juice to 4 wires (so why call it Termin-8?) in a small package, so if you have no spacefor a fuse block then this might be the ticket.
I would still recommend to put a relay switch so it is only "live" when the ignition (and in my case ignition+lights) is on.
The only disadvantage I see is if one of the devices/wires causes the fuse to blow, you do not know which one causes it.
On my 4th Gen I did fit a BlueSea fuse box and asked their Customer Service what size of fuse to place between the battery and the fusebox. You will have to do the same calculation for the fuse in this termin-8
Hello Leon,
We need to know the approximate amperage draw of your accessories to size the fuse. The companies that make the electric gloves, power sockets etc. should be able to provide amperage usage of their products.
One of the major fuse manufacturers recommends sizing the fuse at 125% of the system’s amperage draw to prevent nuisance blows.
Examples:
Gloves draw 3A, power socket draws 2A and GPS draws 1A. 3A+2A+1A = 6A. 6A x 1.25 = 7.5A so you could use a 7.5A fuse on the DC Positive line. Your accessories may have different amperage draws.
Thanks Dutchy thats good info. Especially pointing out that if the fuse blows you would have your work cut out for you trying to figure out what caused it.
In my particular case I'm not worried about adding a switch between the termin-8 and the battery as most of what's hooked up will be sending power IN not sucking it out. That would be the VFRness and the battery tender connnection. I definitely plan on adding a switch for the voltmeter I'd like to mount on my dash. Some folks say the power draw is so minimal that you can leave it on but I'd just feel better only turning it on once in a while to "check in" on the charging system.
As to why it's called a termin-8when there are only four connections available... I dunno? I guess they thought it sounded cool :)
I have used the Termin-8 on my old VFR for quite a while. It is a great solution for bringing "always on" power to where you need it. I used it to provide power to a battery tender lead, my VFRness fuse block, and a secondary heated gear connection (fused). Keeps the clutter off the battery posts!
Well the Powerlet Termin-8 showed up yesterday and I was less than impressed with the quality. One of the rings that connect to the battery slipped off the exposed wire almost as soon as I pulled it out of the package. The other seems loose. No solder and very weakly crimped connections.
I've only heard good things about Powerlet which makes me even more dissapointed with the quality of the item I received. I'm sure the collective wisdom of the group here is much more reasonable than me so what should I do? I don't have proper crimper but I guess I could try to fix the connection with needle nose pliers. On the other hand I feel like I shouldn't have to fix anything on a brand new item. Especially one that's so simple. If I had actually installed it on my bike I would have wound up stranded somewhere.
Do I fix it myself or request a new kit? Part of me wants to just return it and make one myself. It's really not complicated and if I'm already working on one I might as well build one for a quarter of the cost...
I would call them immediately and request that they send out a replacement product at least by 2 day delivery. Take a photo of the defective item and offer to send it to them. I doubt they are going to ask for the first one to be sent back, but if they do, it's at their expense. Do this now! They will likely be apologetic and replace no questions...
Contact them and i am sure they will do you right.
My bought in the US powerlet connector cable had a problem.due to me partly. Mailed them a picture and powerlet contacted me right away. Since shipping from us to nl would take more time, they got me one via their uk distributor. Top marks!
I've looked at powerlet time and time again, I just can't fathom how they can charge what they do for what you get... Seen a couple of items first hand and quite frankly, anyone with opposable thumbs, access to google and jaycar/radioshack could make most things they offer for 10% of the price...
CSFS- I'm not familiar with their entire line of products but you're correct that a termin-8 could be put together for about $10 - $15 IMO. I seriously considered returning mine and just building one for myself.
BUT... their service is great. I contacted the distributor (racer parts wholesale) and spoke with a nice guy named Tim. He agreed to send me a return shippment label and said they would send me another kit once they had received mine back. I also contacted Powerlet through their website and let them know I had a problem with their product and was not impressed. They e-mailed me back the same day and requested more information. Powerlet and Racer Parts Wholesale ended up talking and Powerlet is sending a replacement directly to me with a return shipping label. They admitted they had problems early on with the connections on the termin-8 but said they should have all been solved. They seem genuinely interested in getting mine back so they can take a look.
Bottom line: Powerlet messed up but is taking all the right steps to make it right. And that's all I could really ask for! I guess I'll continue this thread at some point and report back on how the product actually works.
End of thread · 11 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 24 Jun 2013