Battery-mounted power distribution module

An electrical power distribution module adapted to be mounted above an automotive vehicle battery having a battery terminal projecting upward from a substantially horizontal top surface of the battery, the power distribution module comprising:

• a battery connecting block positioned over the battery terminal and having a battery terminal connector for making electrical connection with the battery terminal, means for electrically connecting a starter cable and an alternator cable to the power distribution module, and fuse mounting means for mounting a main fuse in electrical connection between the alternator cable and the power distribution module;
• a fuse block adapted to lie in a substantially horizontal plane above the battery top surface and having a plurality of horizontally oriented fuse receptacles and a bus bar electrically connecting the fuse receptacles with the battery terminal connector, the bus bar lying in a substantially horizontal plane;
• a wire harness guide channel for routing a plurality of wires connected with the fuse receptacles over the battery top surface;
• and
• a cover for covering the battery connecting block, the fuse block, and the wire harness guide channel and having at least first and second separately openable hinged portions, the first hinged portion openable to allow access to the battery terminal connector and the second hinged portion openable to allow access to the fuse receptacles.

A battery-mounted, fuse-protected, automotive power distribution module comprising:

• a housing of electrically non-conductive material having respective internal spaces for a battery terminal connector, a distribution bus bar and a plurality of fuses;
• a battery terminal connector in the battery terminal connector space;
• a bus bar disposed in the bus bar space and electrically connected to the battery terminal connector;
• and
• means for mounting the module in overlying relation to an automotive battery with a terminal of the battery extending upwardly into the battery terminal connector.