Cool. How's the new shop? Big enough? Ha, who am I kidding... They're never too big. :)

PM sent. If you're still doing these, put me down for one for '88 Carrera. Prolly add a headlight relay to the mix sometime this fall as well. We're NEVER done with these are we?

Paypal completed this evening (11/03) Fred. Will let you know how the install goes.

Joe

Progress report.........
 

Will be moving the last workbench into the shop on Wednesday. Have just a little more work to do (seal and finish the working surface) and then I will get started on the fuse panels. My connection in Europe has sent me enough fuse holders for 5-6 panels so that will be the first batch. To be fair to everyone that has responded (thanks, all!) I will start at the top of the list and work my way down. As soon as the first batch is ready to go I will order the holders for the next batch. I am as anxious to get this underway as you are!

Thanks Fred!

We're anxiously awaiting your progress.

I'm very interested! Put me in line for one.

Thanks,
Mike

Almost there!
 

Got the last workbench moved into the shop today. Still have to put a coat or two of polyurethane on the working surface but thats all. Looks like I might be able to get started on the fuse panels tomorrow. I'll go see if our local metal shop has the raw material in the morning. If so, it's a go, if not, it will likely be Monday. I will need to build a holding jig for cutting the panels, but that won't take very long. Maybe I can get some of them done and shipped in the next week or so. I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress being made. Thanks again for your patience!

Some pictures of new shop..........
 

Thought you might want to see the "production facility"!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1316056806.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1316056833.jpg

Fred,

Your ATO fuse panel project is very nice. I also like the Katana on the shelf in your workshop. I had a ton of issues with my '78 911 fuse panel before I sold the car. Your project makes we want to buy an older 911 just to replace the fuse panel with yours!

Good luck!

Scott

Scott,

Thanks for the compliments and encouragement! The Katana is kind of a special sword that was made in the old fashioned way, with several different grades and hardness steel forged together to make the blade. The blade will flex a good 15 - 20 degrees each way and the cutting edge has a Rockwell hardness of around 65 or so. It is razor sharp (will shave hairs off your arm) and will cut thru bamboo that is a good 2" thick! The grip is wrapped in ray skin and leather. I will have to keep an eye on it to make sure that it doesn't rust living out in the shop. It is up on the second shelf to make certain that it doesn't get handled by the unwary!

+1 - I use marine grade terminals - crimpers and heat shrink on my boat and 911. The wiring is tinned to stave off corrosion. The heat shrink fittings are adhesive lined - so not only do you get the mechanical advantage of the "crimp" you get the outside cover glued to the terminal end.

do it right and the wiring will outlast the car.

You won't find soldered connections on any of today's production cars either. Crimp connections are the way to go for anything subjected to vibration.

Scott

Fred, please put me down for one too..thanks

Production line rolling..........
 

The first 6 fuse panels have been sent out/delivered. Right now I am able to do about 2-3 a week depending on parts supply availability. I am going right down the list so that the first in get first dibs. I will send each person a PM when their name comes up. Thanks to everyone for support/encouragement of this project!

Nice work Fred. I did this conversion on my car some years back, and like you considered making a kit. The thing that stooped me was the large number of hidden jumpers on the back of the factory fuse board that you do not see unless you unscrew each fuse holder from the original board. As I understand it, these jumpers are different between the models and changed over the years depending on what options were included in the car.

If you want to make and supply a great kit, then you should try to account for this - it will give an easier installation for your customers and superior product for you...

Fuse panel jumpers.......
 

Paul,

Thanks for the input. I looked into the 3 fuse holders that make up the front fuse panel and found that they are the same part numbers for 1978 thru 1989 (excluding the 964 models). While the leads going to the individual fuse positions may be different, the jumpers on the back should be the same. The kit that I am supplying comes with the back side jumpers replicated using 12 ga. wire. I also test each fuse holder for continuity and for resistance. If there were to be a bad fuse holder, I would rather find it than have someone do all the wiring work and have to back up to replace the defective holder.

Thanks Fred for the kit. The quality is amazing. Now I have a project to do. :)

Fred, if you are still producing this kit, how can I get one? Thanks.

Just got mine - it looks great - as with the others now I have another project. Just when I thought I was done .....

Got mine last week and love the finish!
Yeah... someday I'll install it, you know after I rebuild the brakes, replace the suspensions and bushings, the interior (carpet and seats, sound proofing, etc...), not to forget the rag top... :D
Of all this will be the simplest project. Thanks Fred! ;)

Fuse Panels delivered......
 

Got about a dozen done and sent. Currently waiting to hear back from jdcw72, m110, will hung, and 911 tweaks to see if they still want one now. Will continue to work my way down the list in order. I have cleaned up one of my component delivery problems and should be able to increase the build rate somewhat. Those of you who responded, please be patient and I will get to you asap. Thanks for the interest!

Fred Cook