Power distribution block write up

[troger11]

Ok so this is my first write up, I'm going to try and keep it relatively short and simple.

I love electeonic gear and I get tired of having all these freaking wires going to the battery or fuse block for power. I ran across a thread when I had an fj cruiser and this guy wired in a marine fuse block and used it for power. Looked like an awesome idea and made under the hood and adding new accessories easy as pie.

So I started with three auto relays (12v 30A) and wired three of them in parallel using 6 guage wire rated to handle 65A. This should allow for the relays to handle up to 90A, plenty! I also fused it right after the battery with a 60A fuse to be safe. I ran the wire through the firewall and attached it to a blue sea fuse block and screwed it to the firewall right behind the brake pedal. Grounded the other side of the block near by and ran the ground for the relay coil there as well. Then I only had one wire to run to the fuse panel for power with key on. I think it was the trailer something another, nothing major. Maybe fuse slot 28 I think.

Now I can easily attach new items such as my flash light charger, power inverted, gps, audio amp, reverse lights,.... Whatever and it allows me to fuse each circuit independently!!

I think its pretty self explanatory but ill be glad to answer any questions or clarify anything!


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[troger11]

Here's the other part and ill make a parts list. The most tricky thing is wiring the relays in parallel. I glued them together in a manner which allowed the power terminals to be on the outside edges of the relays so soldering the terminals to the 6 gauge wire would be neat and compact. Then I clipped the coil terminals where the hole is in the terminal and bent them to the right for positive and left for ground so you could run the wires neatly down the center and out the side. To finished it I just electrical taped it up. I want to get some paint on insulator and do it correctly or epoxy encapsulate the entire bottom so it will be 100% weather proof.

I can draw a wiring diagram up as well if anyone would like to try this themselves. I can also post up a few more pics of everything wired in when I attach it all together later on. I'm planning on reverse lights, flash light charger, gps, 400w power inverted, amp, hella lights on the ranchhand.

6 guage wire- lowes
Fuse holder and fuse- radioshack
Bluesea fuse block-academy sports
14 guage wire- radioshack
30A auto relay-radio shack
6 guage terminal tabs-agri supply
Solder- radio shack
Washers-lowes

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[dfuzz78]

OMG! What are you doing?!?!? Keep a fire extinguisher handy...

[dfuzz78]

After my initial horror, I figured you need some real good advice before you set your truck ablaze. First off, get rid of that relay mess you have. There is no reason for that to be in your vehicle. It serves ZERO purpose! Run the power wire strait from the fuse holder to your power distribution block. Next, you need to realize that DC wiring is like yin & yang; Same gauge wire for power AND ground! Get rid of that baby chit ground wire you have and use the same gauge wire for the ground. If the relay mess didn't catch fire first, that most certainly would! When attaching the ground wire to the truck, make sure you remove all the paint and primer from the location. Not just a little spot, do the whole area that will contact the terminal.

Hopefully, you take heed and prevent your rig from burning to the ground.

[agjake11]

Just gonna put this right here

FUZEBLOCKS.COM

[dfuzz78]

Originally Posted by agjake11

Just gonna put this right here

FUZEBLOCKS.COM

I'm gonna put this here as well...

Helpful Link

[agjake11]

Ha my link was helpful also. premade distribution block so he doesnt need the extinguisher

[troger11]

Haha ok first off the power and ground wires are the same size 6 guage (ie substantial to handle 65a easily). Secondly the wire is fused so it will blow with only a minor short. There is very little fire danger to this set up, its really no different then running a wire to your amp. If I were to run the wire directly to the battery from the fuse block there would be no way for the power to come on with the truck ignition.... The relays are also rated for 30a each ...x3...=90....30 < my main fuse. If you were thinking about the small wires coming out the relay being the ground wires, they power the coil in the relay and only draw app 700ma. and the actual block itself is rated for 100A.

That premade powered fuse block is cool!! Wish I had seen that! Only problem is I was wanting something to handle more power for an inverter, spotlights, extra power outlets...it can only handle 30A. It would make for a neat install though for smaller stuff

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[troger11]

Haha yall r cracking me up with the fire extinguisher stuff...but really I have one, everyone should.

Dfuzz, do you know how a relay actually works and what purpose it serves? They are used in millions of applications and are safe! Actually, our trucks have a big one that switches on with the ignition, otherwise our batteries would be drained all the time!

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[dfuzz78]

Originally Posted by agjake11

premade distribution block so he doesnt need the extinguisher

With his relay contraption and incorrect gauge wiring, he will. I've done all I can do in informing him of the danger of wiring without knowledge. I can do no more. All I can say is good luck and I hope nothing bad happens.