Show off your aux fuse panels.

Still working on a template, but getting closer. I think I can get the entire thing done out of one 12x15 sheet of 6061 T6 aluminum.

I’m thinking bed liner to finish it. Powder coating is much pricier and I don’t think necessary.

 

Thanks,

What is the length of the tray from the drivers side mount to the mount on the engine side?

 

Not my full set up, but you can see how I did the fuses coming off the battery here

and up above it, you’ll spot my 2 fuse/relay blocks. And if you look right below the battery, there is another one. What isn’t shown here is the one in the rear and the one on the passengers side .

 

The mounting surface on the outer fender side actually angles in slightly, it’s 11”.
The top of the tray is 11-3/16”.

 

Which battery terminals are those?

And I’m guessing you made that short cable to the post.

I guess I’m hitting HF later to get that crimp tool.

 

The terminals I got off Amazon. I like them because they can handle a lot of different configurations, and aren’t expensive.

$24 Recoil BTO Solid Brass Positive Negative Battery Terminals with Adaptor Collars, 1X0/2/4 Gauge & 1X4/8 Gauge Outputs, Top-Mounted or Side-Mounted Power Ring Provision and OEM Post Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09MKCCM83?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
I did make the short cable. It’s 2awg. I added a 2awg to the ground side as well, to the chassis.

And if anyone is interested, the fuses are Eaton LMI. They can be configured from 1 fuse up to 7, and handle 600A on the buss. Each fuse slot can do 400A independently. @paranoid56 did the tie down for me. My set up is 4 fuses (3 in use there) and 1 input module. More on those here:
https://catalog.waytekwire.com/Waytek-2023-Catalog-235/179/

 

How are you planning to bend the 6061? I have a sheet of 6061 and was thinking of doing the same, but I'm not sure I'll be able to bend it without the sheet cracking. My plan b is to use the 6061 for the straight mounting brackets and long support to connect to the tire well then buy a sheet of 5052 for the main component tray with the two bends.

 

That gives me some ideas. Thanks

 

I’d like to see what you do with it

 

Do you recommend the mega-fuses over using a breaker?

 

I like fuses over breakers, but just for space issues. I am all about cramming as much as I can in as small a space as I can.

 

look up annealing aluminum using a blow torch and a candle. It will soften it enough to bend the sheet by hand if you use enough force. You don’t need to anneal the entire sheet, just where you plan to bend.
When you’re done you can re-temper the aluminum.




(Lesson learned - don’t score the aluminum where you plan to bend it, just use a marker. The softer aluminum can kinda tear open at the score)

I use a 5” vise brake to bend it, then temper it. It ends about T5, which is plenty strong. I’m limited to 5” bends though. I’m actually thinking about using 1/16” instead of 1/8” in this project since it will be supported on 3 sides.

 

Thanks, I was wanting to be able to use the breaker’s switch to to turn off power to the entire panel. But I was thinking of a mega-fuse for a twin compressor down the road.

 

Thanks for the tip. As for the blowtorch, I don't have anything like acetylene, only a Bernzomatic map gas torch. What are you using to do the majority of the heating?

 

you can get it hot enough with propane. Use the candle to lay carbon on the aluminum where you want to bend, heat the hell out of it and just after the black carbon melts to crystal clear, then you’re good. The carbon helps because the aluminum doesn’t turn red when it gets hot, it’s a quick cheat to make sure you don’t blow a hole straight through the aluminum.

just don’t freaking touch it or the vise while it cools. Re-tempering you gotta be a little quicker to get it out of the vise and stay hot until you dunk it in water. Then piss off the wife by baking it over night at 350-400ish. It ends up very strong. I couldn’t bend it with brute force like I could have when it was annealed.

 

I’ll post a pic when I’m done. And a separate write up later. I’m starting to wonder how much a local fab shop would charge to laser or hydro cut a sheet of aluminum for me.

 

I have used Paranoid Fabrication with absolutely great results. He is very fair, and super patient (I change my mind... a lot). Hit him up and see what he can do for you @paranoid56
He made trays for me, light brackets, he even made some holders for dog guardrails. He hasn't disappointed me in the slightest.

 

What kind of wire is good to use for accessories?
(aux lights at bed, rock lights, cig outlet in bed)

I have a bunch of stranded thhn and was planning on using split loom, expandable sleeving and shrink tubing.


Also I know some electronics would probably be best with a ground back to the bus bar but assuming not everything needs to (save a lot of wire).

Cleaning the existing grounds and penetrox is probably a good idea too.

 

#18 is a good compromise. If you plan a fridge for the cig outlet you could go up in size.

 

More the type than the gauge....I’d never go under 14awg (15amps).
Never know what will get plugged into the cig outlet.

18 is tiny, like Christmas tree lights!


I have a bunch of 12awg thhn stranded (20amps), I was planning on using unless there’s some valid reasons to not use it.