My 2005 X5 Aftermarket Radio Install Thread

[Crowz]

Actually I think the #7 fuse is a 5 amp too and if it is and you use a 5 amp for the ibus adapter side then it doesn't matter which one goes where since both would be 5 amp. Just make sure what amp the fuse is that's in slot #7 of the fuse box. If it isn't a 5 amp and you use a 5 amp for the ibus adapter make sure to put the 5 amp in the shunts wire side and the fuse that was in the #7 slot in that slot on the shunt.

Again it makes sense once you have the shunt.

[Loperamide]

Originally Posted by Crowz

I bought the shunts here :

http://amzn.to/2kwjRel


I used a 5 amp fuse for the ibus adapter's wire and put the fuse I removed from the fuse box in the other slot that feeds the fuse box itself.

It matters on which slot you put the fuses in. When you get the shunt you can see how it works to know which one to put in which slot.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Bla...53.m2749.l2648

I ordered this, and it comes with a 10A fuse. Can I just use 10A or do i definitely need 5A ?

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by Loperamide

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Bla...53.m2749.l2648

I ordered this, and it comes with a 10A fuse. Can I just use 10A or do i definitely need 5A ?

The 10A would probably be ok. The reason I went lower on mine was I knew the adapter only needed 1 amp or less so getting as low as possible just made sense. The wire I have feeding it can handle 20 amps so there is now melting danger. Just make sure you use 18 ga or larger wire and the 10A will do fine.

[Loperamide]

Originally Posted by Crowz

The 10A would probably be ok. The reason I went lower on mine was I knew the adapter only needed 1 amp or less so getting as low as possible just made sense. The wire I have feeding it can handle 20 amps so there is now melting danger. Just make sure you use 18 ga or larger wire and the 10A will do fine.

The ibus adaptor already comes with its own wires attached correct?

So i just join the red wire from the ibus adaptor to the red wire on the shunt?

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by Loperamide

The ibus adaptor already comes with its own wires attached correct?

So i just join the red wire from the ibus adaptor to the red wire on the shunt?

The adapter has a short pigtail on it. You have to go from it to the fuse box so that depends on where your usb cables are.

Trying to not to add wire will leave you with a dilemma. The ibus and ground come from the factory stereo plug and those are in the center of the dash. With this setup the power wire for fuse #7 wont reach the glove box. If you put the adapter in the glove box it will reach #7 but wont be long enough for the ibus and ground connection.

Basically your going to have to add some wire one way or the other.

At least with adding to the power wire your running only one wire if you put the adapter in the center of the dash and connect it straight to the ibus and ground there.

[Loperamide]

Originally Posted by Crowz

The adapter has a short pigtail on it. You have to go from it to the fuse box so that depends on where your usb cables are.

Trying to not to add wire will leave you with a dilemma. The ibus and ground come from the factory stereo plug and those are in the center of the dash. With this setup the power wire for fuse #7 wont reach the glove box. If you put the adapter in the glove box it will reach #7 but wont be long enough for the ibus and ground connection.

Basically your going to have to add some wire one way or the other.

At least with adding to the power wire your running only one wire if you put the adapter in the center of the dash and connect it straight to the ibus and ground there.

OK so do I join a thicker wire to the short pigtail wire on the ibus adaptor, and the other end of the thicker wire to the shunt, yes?

Also what's the best method to join the cables together, and also best way for splicing into the ground/ibus wires on the blue nav connector?

[Crowz]

Originally Posted by Loperamide

OK so do I join a thicker wire to the short pigtail wire on the ibus adaptor, and the other end of the thicker wire to the shunt, yes?

Also what's the best method to join the cables together, and also best way for splicing into the ground/ibus wires on the blue nav connector?

Well the norm is to use crimp connectors. One is already provided on the shunt you bought.

I strip the wire and do a twist and tape method myself and that is totally not the norm for people. But I have been doing that for 40 years and never had an issue. I normally am going behind crimp connectors that failed and redoing them with my method

But again the crimp method is what people normally do. You can get the ends for the crimping and the tool for it at pretty much any automotive parts store.

[Overboost]

I always use Raychem mini seal splices but it is what I stock for my race car harnesses so it may be overkill but it comes with the confidence of military specification.

MIL-S-81824/1 Qualification
Voltage Drop 6.9 mV at 4.5 A vs 8.1 mV for an equal length of wire
Temperature Range -55° to 150°C [-67° to 302°F]

[Crowz]

Those look like the large connectors I use on the solar power cables for the house.

Mine are 2 gauge and even much larger. I have a hydraulic crimper for them Those I trust. The ones everyone uses in cars normally I don't trust.

[Overboost]

Any updates?