Blue Sea panel and Breaker

So I figured I would install a Blue Sea fuse panel and resettable 100 amp breaker in my truck. My panel under the dash is getting full of add a fuses. Figured I'd show how it went.
The first thing I did was to go about mounting the panel and breaker to a piece of 1/4 " ABS sheet(cut down a bit) I bought from McMaster-Carr. I marked, then drilled and tapped the holes for the panel and breaker (1/4" x 20 ) and used stainless screws

The second thing was to mount that panel to the fuse box cover of my truck with all stainless steel hardware.


The next thing was to install it and hook up the cables. I bought the cable and then the lugs and made them to length, I used the marine shrink tube with the glue inside. Done!

 

I have a breaker for all my audio stuff in the truck. Best decision I ever made.

 

Looks great! That's how I want to mount my aux fuse panel since my winch solenoid box is takin up space behind the fuse box. One question tho, is it difficult to access the fuse box now?

 

I am running a similar setup on my Yamaha Rhino. Holds up well to the elements.

 

tag'd

 

no the fuse box opens the way it always did. just open and tilt towards the battery. Presto! I plan to run all power leads from the battery side so I can still lift and tilt the whole panel towards the battery to access the fuse box. I do however need to loosen the 10mm ground screw to let the ground cable pivot. All the cables are connected in this photo.
It works just fine, I started hooking things up today

 

I really like how you've set this up. One other question tho, have you lost some of the easy access to the fuse box now that you've ran some wiring into the fuse panel?

 

Not the slightest. The wires are minimal compared to the power and ground cables. Really very simple,. I am pretty much a fussy prick about functionality.

 

I have a Blue Sea panel in my truck as well, but I nounted mine in the cab. If you mount in the engine bay you still end up running a ton of wire through a crowded firewall. I have an ignition switched relay under the hood thhat feeds the power supply to the panel. By far most of my aux power needs are in the cab.

 

Where did you get the cables?

 

Great idea about the relay. I worry about leaving things on without knowing, then finding a dead battery later. Not sure how that works with a 100 amp breaker tho.

 

I bought all cables from Amazon.com, lugs from Grainger, Sheet ABS from Mcaster-Carr, and panel and breaker from West Marine Inc.

 

Do you have this running off of ign power or is it hot all the time?

 

looks good . the bluesea stuff is great and lasts for years . heres how i did mine a few years ago.

 

Nice ^
Details on that setup ?

 

like? it runs lights , trans fan, ham radio, and still have a spot or two left for future stuff

 

for now it's hot constant. I am going to get a high amp relay to make it ignition only.

 

Sorry for the delayed reply. I used a 12v continous duty starter relay. Not all starter relays are continous duty, so check the box. I found a keyed hot wire in the factory fuse box to trigger the relay. I would probably mount the breaker that you have before the relay. Pretty simple.

 

I think I have that same Blue Sea panel and mine is rated for 80amps. I saw you are using a 100amp breaker. I'm wondering if you have the same panel and if so, is your breaker at too high an amperage?

 

perfect, thanx.