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When it came time to choose a wiring system for the OneLapCamaro project, we turned to Littlefuse and I-Squared who have just released a revolutionary new technology called the ISIS Intelligent Multiplex System.
ISIS is designed to be a simple, flexible solution to custom wiring in all types of automotive applications. |
The foundation of the ISIS Intelligent Multiplex System are the Mastercell and Powercell panels. The two units are connected to one another using a multiplexing structure to minimize wiring throughout the system and create the simplest possible installation scenario. |
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Multiplexing
The process of combining multiple data streams into one. The ISIS system uses multiplexing to minimize the amount of wires needed as well as the complication inherent in wiring by transmitting all input and output commands through one CAN cable. |
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MASTERCELL™ input unit
The control center of the ISIS intelligent multiplexed system that switches (inputs) are connected to.
The MASTERCELL input unit contains all of the ISIS programming and gives commands to the POWERCELL control unit to activate outputs. The MASTERCELL unit is also where the inSIGHT and inLINK modules are connected to the system. |
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POWERCELL™ control unit
Box of the ISIS system which connects to the loads (outputs) and receives commands from the MASTERCELL. This box switches the loads. The POWERCELL is also where the fuses are located in the system.
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Installing the ISIS Intelligent Multiplex System |
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The installation of the
ISIS system was very straight forward and intuitive throughout the process. The basic kit comes with one Mastercell™ control box and two Powercell™ boxes. As the Powercell™ units are intended to be the power distribution centers (which are attached to all of the electric loads in the vehicle) one Powercell™ box is intended to be mounted in the front of the car while the other Powercell™ box should be mounted in the front of the car. With the unique CAN bus multiplexing architecture, there are no power wires that need to be run from the front of the car to the rear - significantly cutting down on the volume of wiring required. |
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Rear Powercell Box and Main Power Fuses |
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For ease of installation and maintenance, we chose to mount the ISIS Powercell™ Box and main power distribution fuse block on a removable panel that will be mounted in what would be the rear seat area beside the passenger side wheel tub. |
The first thing that we did after fabricating our panel was mount the four 60-Amp Littlefuse fuse blocks. The Mega Fuses will provide a constant 12-volt power source to the Powercell™ boxes. Removable covers protect the fuses and yourself. |
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With the power distribution fuses in place, we mounted the rear Powercell™ box to the panel using four 10-24 machine screws. |
The next step was to place the panel in the car to continue with the wiring. I am a firm believer in careful consideration when locating hardware and running wires. Accessibility and safety is an important consideration when wiring your car - there is nothing worse than trying to solve a future problem in cramped location. |
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Two 10-gauge wires run from the fuse panel to each Powercell™ box and each wire is individually fused.
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MEGA® Fuse
Fuses between the battery of the car and ISIS POWERCELL control unit which protect the power cables from damage due to over current conditions.
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This is the basic layout of our rear power hub - consisting of the Mega Fuse block and out rear Powercell™ box. After we locate our front Powercell™ box we'll return to connect the Powercell™ to our rear electrical loads. |
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Front Powercell Box |
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We followed essentially the same procedure at the front of the car as we did at the rear but without the need for the Mega Fuse block. The first thing that we did was fabricated a simple panel that we located beneath the dash.
For ease of access we placed the front Powercell™ box underneath the dash in front of the passenger seat. This will allow us to see and get to the box through the glove box if necessary. |
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With the Powercell™ box in position we ran the 10-guage main power wires from the two vacant Mega Fuses in the back to the box. We ran the wires up the factory wire tray beneath the sill plates; this made for a short and protected run for the two main power wires.
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There are actually three ports for the power wires. Two are taken up but the wires leading from the Mega Fuse panel and the
ISIS kit comes with a blank plug to seal the unused third port. |
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Back at the rear panel we tied the two power wires from the front Powercell™ box into the Mega Fuse block. In the future we will connect the Mega Fuse block to the battery which is located immediately behind the rear seat bulkhead. |
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Attaching Loads to the Powercell Box |
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After making up a simple rear wiring harness for the LED tail lights, fuel pump, reverse and running lights we tied them to the Powercell™ harness using Weatherpack connectors which we have used throughout the car. To keep things clean and simple we marked each wire to make future maintenance quick and easy. Strictly speaking we didn't need to use this connector - we could have ties the loads directly into the Powercell™ harness - but we wanted to give ourselves as much flexibility as possible. |
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Here is the rear panel completely wired - save for the CAN bus cable that will run to the Mastercell™ box once we have it in place. Once the front Powercell™ box has been wired to the forward loads and the Mastercell™ box is installed we'll install the fuses in the Powercell's and attach the CAN line.
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As soon as the dash arrives - in a couple of days - we"ll continue up front... |
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ISIS Intelligent Multiplex System
