Where to mount aux fuse block in the cabin?

If I plan to tap the 15a P Outlet 1 out of the factory fusebox with a fuse extender for the positive, where is the best ground terminal location for the Bluesea negative/ground bus in this area? That shinny bolt at the top of your picture (the one the factory fuse panel box is mounted to)? There's got to be something better tucked away in there...

Matt

 

i mounted my Aux fuse box in the driver side lower kick panel on the floor.

 

Thanks @caribe makaira

Any idea what size bolt or threaded hole that is?

 

photos please

 

I found a slick way to mount a BlueSea 6 circuit fuse box near the factory fuse box on the interior driver's side kick panel. If you loosen the stock fuse box bolt a bit, a small "L" bracket slides right in behind the plastic fusebox mounting bracket and the mounting frame. The lip on the lower portion of the frame creates a nice stop that wedges the "L" bracket between the bolt and the frame lip. You could certainly have a hole in your L bracket and put the bolt through it for extra security in place, but the way I did it is more than sufficient. This meant I didn't have to pop the plastic factory fusebox mount off the bolt (the bolt is part of the mounting frame it appears, so it is fixed in place). Lastly, for this build, I put a master kill switch off the positive terminal, which is a circuit breaker rated at 15 amps to match the P Outlet (15a) circuit rating that I tapped into. That is the monstrosity at the top of the picture. I will probably refactor this switch with a better angle/location but its fine for now. It's completely out of the way but still accessible. I put detachable plugs in for every circuit, so the whole thing can be easily removed if need be.

 

That is awesome! Do you have pictures of the bracket that you fabricated?

 

I do have a spare bracket, so I will post a picture of it when I get home. I did not fabricate it, I just had it laying around. It is about 1.5" x 1.5" with two holes in each leg. I thought I would use one hole in each leg, but did not end up using any hole in the leg that slides in between the factory mount and frame (as previously noted). I did use a hole in the second leg to mount the BlueSea to the bracket. I ended up making the hole in the mounted corner of the BlueSea slightly larger than it was originally, in order to fit my bolt and nut and to ensure it was damn tight so it would not move. I will probably end up using this spare bracket to redo the master circuit breaker kill switch placement.

 

Here is the bracket. Exactly 1.5" x 1.5".

Matt

 

How did you mount the circuit breaker to the firewall? Did you drill holes or are there pre-drilled holes in that location?

 

I'm not sure what you are asking, sorry! The firewall is not involved in this particular install. The Blue Sea fuse block is using the little 1.5" x 1.5" L bracket to mount to the bolt that holds the factory fuse panel. All the wiring is internal to the cabin and does not go through the firewall. A fuse tap into the P. Outlet 15a circuit in the factory interior panel is used to power the BlueSea block. The ground wire is shown in the pictures and secures to the bolt on the body just below factory fuse panel.

 

I guess I am trying to understand how you mounted the circuit breaker in your picture.

 

The bottom two pink arrows in the picture show how it is mounted using the L bracket. One leg of the L bracket is attached to the BlueSea. One leg of the L bracket is slid in behind the beige plastic portion of the factory fuse box mount.

 

After a lot of trial and error, I finally mounted my Blue Sea fuse box (5032) in the passenger side lower cowl. This fuse box was a pain to install as it is quite big but this location seems to be working so far. Its not very visible, fits the fuse box perfectly and has enough clearance to run wires. Next project is to wire it up and run accessories.

 

If you’re not afraid to drill, super easy to punch through the firewall. Even a perfect spot for it so the wires are all isolated from the factory harness.

 

Yes that looks like a good spot. I'll check it out. Thanks!

 

OP, since the marine fuse box is on the passenger side, look inside the engine room on the passenger side, there is another loom for the engine computer going into the cab. It has two nipples that you may cut and use. No need to drill the firewall.

 

I just re-read this and now understand what you were asking, I think? The circuit breaker (pink arrow at the top of the pic) is attached using a very similar metal L bracket (with holes). I used one hole to mount the bracket to the positive terminal bus stud of the Blue Sea fuse block, and the other to mount to the positive stud on the bottom of the breaker.

 

I realize I forgot to put the pictures I promised of mine on here.

 

Insulate those positive nuts....