Frequently Asked Questions
How will you ship my order?
We use FedEx Express for 80% of our US shipments in the contiguous 48. In most cases, this is 2 days but figure 3 days worst case scenario. Shipping to Hawaii and Alaska can be via FedEx Express or USPS Priority Mail – whichever makes the most sense. Again, figure 2-3 days.
When an item or the entire order is too large to be shipped via these methods, we’ll ship it via UPS or FedEx Ground Transit. If your ship to is a PO Box, then the order must go via the USPS. We cannot ship large orders to PO Boxes. All shipments come from our facility in Gilbert, AZ (the greater Phoenix area).
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! Duties and taxes may be charged by your country's customs - this is not factored into the shipping costs and is the responsibility of the recipient. We use FedEx, the USPS, and UPS for such – doing our best to choose the option that offers the quickest delivery time.
There are times when the shipping calculator on the website will be highly inaccurate for international shipments – we do struggle with this. If you believe that to be the case with an order you’d like to place, just email us for clarification. If your ship to is a PO Box, then the order must go via the USPS. We cannot ship large orders to PO Boxes. All shipments come from our facility in Gilbert, AZ (the greater Phoenix area).
I’ve entered my order but haven’t received a confirmation email, tracking number, etc. So, what gives?
How large a cable do I need for a given project?
Cable size is a function of current and length. All cable, no matter how large, has a given amount of resistance per foot. Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electrons (current). The net result is voltage drop over the length of the cable. Minimizing voltage drop is the key to designing and constructing reliable circuits and optimizing their performance. A handy reference chart for choosing the correct gauge of wire based on these parameters can be found on page 100 of Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems.
What is the difference between CCA and standard copper cable?
Many companies are now marketing CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) cable as a lightweight, less expensive alternative to copper. It is true, CCA does in fact weigh less than standard copper but there is no such thing as a free lunch - it also has higher resistance per foot than comparably sized copper. Third party testing has proven CCA passes 30 to 40% LESS power than traditional copper of the same size! Skimping on copper is not where you want to save money (or weight) in your projects.
I use an electric fan. My vehicle runs hot and I’ve tried nearly everything to no avail. What can I do so that I can drive it on the street without fear of it overheating?
This may be the most common question we're asked. When it comes to keeping a high performance engine running cool, the electrical system plays a major role. Aside from audio power amplifiers, electric cooling fans are the most current hungry accessory in a vehicle and they require a continuous supply of current. A quality 13" fan typically requires 20-25 Amps of current while running and up to four times that when it's first turned on (hence the dimming dash lights). Ultimately, this has led us to develop our own line of high performance Fan Relay Kits unlike anything else on the market. In addition, it's critical that the idle output capability of the alternator is satisfactory, the gauge of the alternator's charge lead is suitable, and that you have a low resistance return path between the fans and the charging system. This led us to develop our own line of high performance Alternator Installation Kits. Optimizing each will help your vehicle to run cool on the street. Incidentally, these problems and their solutions are outlined in their entirety in Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems, Volume 2: Projects.