The Waytek Blog

Controlling parasitic loads (battery drain) and properly distributing electrical power is crucial to keeping vehicles working. However, this requires balancing the needs of the battery against those of the electrical system.

Dual voltage electrical systems solve many power requirement problems in today's trucks, buses and motor coaches, but like any specialized technology, dual voltage establishes its own rules.

Power distribution modules, or PDMs, have been called by many different names: Power distribution centers or units, electrical centers, and even electrical boxes. In any case, it boils down to this: PDMs are circuits in an enclosure, distributing power from a central power source to many smaller circuits around a vehicle or equipment.

Relays, solenoids, and contactors are all switches—whether electro-mechanical or solid state—but there are critical differences that make each suitable for different applications. In this article, we will explain how each of these devices work and discuss some key selection considerations.

The battery cable is among the most important components in a battery management system. High quality battery cables will help ensure you have power and avoid battery drain—but only if they are properly sized, installed and maintained.

There are two things you must absolutely double-check when selecting your battery cables.

Now more than ever, it’s important to keep weapons safe from theft. The Advanced Gun Lock Timer with Lock-Out Protection, a new product from Egis Mobile Electric, raises the bar substantially on gun storage safety in vehicles.

Next-generation power distribution models, called hard-wired boxes, streamline circuit protection and power distribution with features that support easier installation and maintenance as well as protect against premature failure.

When to Use an Equalizer in Dual Voltage Systems

Up until the 1950s, most vehicles had a 6V electrical system. Even in the days before light bars and cell phone chargers, that just wasn’t enough power. Newfangled inventions like power windows were stressing 6V systems to the max.

To meet the demand for more power, the auto industry standardized on a 12V system. That was 70 years ago. It’s no surprise that 12V just isn’t sufficient for many modern applications.

Combine the Fuse Holder & Power Source for Simpler, Safer Solutions

We’re all familiar with the traditional fuse box layout for motor vehicles: A fuse holder wired into the wire harness, usually far from the battery that powers the system. It’s one of those established systems that people don’t tend to question. The fuse box goes here, connected to the main wire harness, and that’s just how it is, right? It doesn’t seem like a system that’s particularly ripe for innovation.