Avoiding FUSEBOX "China Syndrome" MELTDOWN: Pre-emptive fix

+1000

These guys on the Alfa board were all kevtching because this gorgeous Giulia spider was "over restored". I'm all, "So what are you saying? If the car doesn't have the correct factory rust, it's over-restored?"

So if the car doesn't have the correct melted connectors it's not "original"?

 

Hey Wagner or Guido, whichever you prefer...

I don't understand your comment. As far as I can tell the primary reason that the board is "crap" is that a small number of the circuits are flowing too much current for it's specifications. Since Dave has moved those circuits off the board, what would be the point of failure of the remainder of the circuitry that is still on the board? From what I hear there isn't one. If it doesn't fail, why call it crap?

On the other hand, Dave,

Wouldn't it be only marginally more expensive to simply manufacture a replacement board with identical circuitry as the original, but with much higher specifications, especially a much thicker copper layer or layers, and with some of your reliable gold contacts instead of the crappy oem contacts in the white connectors? If the oem board had been built like that originally, wouldn't that have prevented failure? So why not build one like that now? I mean, yes, your mod solves the worst problems, and prevents meltdowns. But aren't you still running the rest of the lower amp circuits through those oem crappy connectors? The board won't melt down, but wouldn't it be even better if all the circuits ran through high quality contacts?

 

My design has worked for 20 years now, I was doing the same thing when the fuse boards got up to $1200, this isn't new by any means. I just never thought to make it public and had never packaged it pretty.

I could redesign the entire thing... but why? To make something more expensive yet? No need for that, there are plenty of areas to spend money on with these cars. Areas that are FAR more critical and vastly more rewarding when done. "KISS"... Keep It Stupid Simple. I have already Perfected ways to loose money making things for these cars, I need not expand that any further than I have already.

The key to finding solutions is to understand ALL of the problems in their entirety. Understanding each and every failure mode involved in each and every model sharing this design. Understanding what happens to an F40 box allows one to study how the same affected circuits are aging on a TR, Mondial and 328. Now throw together all the multiple combinations and toss in knowledge of the 348 / 355 boxes (and oddly the 400/412) and THEN you understand and can predict future failure modes as well as identify the weak points in each system.

Bill at GT already has a Very nicely rebuilt box for those that require replacement and the pictured box will surely be Bomb Proof as built. Careful not to work with blinders on. Cause and effect, everyone is dealing with the effect while ignoring the cause, of which there are many. Working in this method one will in time find the next weakest link in the chain.

I fault no one for their methods. I simply suggest looking at the whole picture and use history as a teacher. The lack of either only moves a problem down stream a bit. After 20 years of nothing new popping up I felt a fairly firm grasp on this problem. Two months ago we identified yet another problem on the TR system that I have never seen prior. I am studying this to understand it completely and to identify the cause. Ferrari saw fit to only deal with this area on the TR model and no others.... Why, and what were they concerned about? Only have seen it on two cars but... two makes a trend worth studying. Only a fool would say they have all the answers.

 

How does one get hold of Dave to see if this kit is ready for market. Nothing like preventative measures when it come to electrons. Any help appreciated.

c

 

Just PM him here on this site or simply google Scuderia Rampante in Boulder,CO

 

Pretty hard to get smoke back in the can alright!

I am going to hold off on new boxes for a few days until I better understand the newest gremlin we identified. I believe it to be quite benign but I need to understand what was on Ferrari's mind when they did what they did. Could be a case of "Oh heck, we don't need to do That.." and they changed designs. If that is the case it should be fairly easy to answer but I need to run the same scenarios on each model to verify this theory.

 

Help..This hillbilly needs your help. I have a 328 with a overheated circuit board..It is cracking and shows cracks around the connections..Is there a new or replacement board out there to be had..What happened..it would not start...motor turned over, fuel pump works..no fire...hmmmm..

Bill in Paducah.

 

The 328 box is prototyped and sitting on the shelf. All that would be required is to update it to deal with the latest findings....never as easy as it sounds but quite Do-Able. There are other issues with the 328 that may be causing the No Start, all related to the excess current draws/poor connections causing problems in the box.

 

Good evening, I have a mondial t having some burns on the fuse plate and a/c issues. Where can I get the kit please ?
Olivier

 

This is his shop Scuderia Rampante.

I see Dave hasn't been on FChat in a while, probably too busy fixing Ferraris.

 

My 512TR ('94) was one of the cars used to test fit and function of the Helms modification. Since installation that modified board has performed FLAWLESSLY for over 10 years and almost 32,000 miles. Dave always took time to answer my often stupid questions patiently and completely. When a problem arose with the accessory fuse holder (manufacturer's specs not what was stated), Scuderia Rampante ate the cost of replacement. Even though it was no fault of their own, Dave felt it was the right thing to do.

Dave Helms has dedicated his professional life to making these cars better, which, in turn, allows US to enjoy these amazing vehicles. Trust me, he's not getting rich on 512TR board upgrades.

For all those who find fault with Scuderia Rampante's solutions, I say "Get a life". I will no doubt install the gold connector kit as well as the hose kit at my next engine-out service (it's been 10 years and 32,000 miles since the last timing belt change - I'm shooting for 15 years or 55K miles, whichever comes first).

Just my 2 cents...