Northern Virginia Roll Call

An aux circuit to run accessories. Planning on a CB, lights, air compressor, and inverter for now (near future) and debating between the BlueSea 5026, Bussman RTMR and the SafetyHub 100/150. I like the fact that the safety hub will allow a couple large circuits (30A-200A) for running stuff like a larger inverter or air compressor in the future but there a decent price jump while the Bussman is nice by incorporating a relay box but I think it's access point are awful but placing all the wiring below making an addition/modification a pain.

 

My recommendation would be to do the following:

(1) Run an auxiliary line from your main or auxiliary battery (not sure if you are running dual batteries) to an auxiliary fuse panel - I like to keep the panels under the hood.

(2) That auxiliary line going to the fuse panel should either run a breaker or an inline fuse.

(3) A "relay" panel (either in the engine bay or cabin) should also be built to contain the relays that the switches will trigger.

(4) Once these foundation items are laid out and installed, you have a flexible system to install items at your leisure.

Let me know if that sounds good and we can schedule a date to come over and wire you up. I can provide you some links for the main parts as well. I have tons of wire, connectors, solder, etc.

Thanks.

- Mark

 

That was me. Nice looking JCW.

I might be hitting you up for some wiring advice Tuesday as well. Starting to put a plan together for the truck this year.

 

I hope you're not going to be running a lot of accessories that draw 100 amps plus. The biggest draw should be your winch and that should be hard wired into your battery.

You can run a battery disconnect switch on your winch but, you'll need to use a high draw design - such as the Blue Sea Systems HD series that can handle 600 amps.

Other than that, inverters, air compressors, etc. usually draw south of 30 amps. If your planning on drawing that much juice (100 amps +) you're going to need to run dual batteries at a minimum and probably increase the size of your alternator - or you could find yourself with dead batteries rather quickly.

Remember that fuses are designed to primarily protect the wire. If you are planning on heavy electrical loads like that - those specific items should be hard wired into your battery with a 0 to 4 gauge wire with a breaker and / or fuse.

As an example, the Viair heavy duty OBA system draws a max of 32 amps as an example and can easily be hooked up to a Blue Sea Systems 6 circuit fuse panel (100 amp board max / 30 amp circuit max) with a 6 gauge wire feed (you want to fuse and use a gauge of wire designed to handle the highest draw). You can then run 10 gauge wire to the compressor.

I generally use 10 gauge wire for most of my accessories and 6 or 4 gauge wire to hook up my fuse panels.

Just some thoughts...on vehicle wiring. In my 80 Series Land Cruiser I was running two auxiliary fuse panels, one in front and one in the rear:







I ran a 100 amp fused main line to the rear of the truck and then punched that into a fused distribution block (creating scalability) and then ran the fuse panel off of that.

Anyway, lots of options - it's just best to plan out your electrical needs first.

- Mark

 

No. No winch (yet) and I would run that direct to battery with a fuse or something when that comes along. I was thinking above 30 for the air compressor and the inverter. 400w should be fine at 30, but it can handle a peak load of 800 and if I ever want to upgrade to a larger inverter I would cross over the 30A threshold. Same with running a larger compressor.

I have a Master's in Engineering and some experience in the power industry so I have a pretty decent understanding of do and do nots. Any help and advice is welcome though!

 

Then your best bet may be running a power distribution block from a fused 4 gauge main power line (say fused at 150 amps) and then run 30 to 60 amp fused lines off of that to specific relays (rated for the correct amperage) and then run the switches and power off of the fuse panel.

That might make for a clean and flexible auxiliary power system. I can help you do whatever you like, I just enjoy wiring and 12 volt electrical work.

- Mark

 

Here's a crappy diagram/schematic-like drawing of what I am thinking.

 

Mark is the best at wiring I can do it also but hes the best lol he schooled me.

 

I'll see you bitches at the meet tomorrow. I might be there closer to 6 than 6:30.
Hey Patrick, try and get Nick out. Is he still around?

 

He's around, his job has him working some fucked up hours so I don't know if he'll make it.

 

Speaking of electronics and wiring, is anyone interested in a contact crimper by astro tools? it's got a DMC TP529 turret on it. It comes in a tool kit with some removal tools and an Ideal wire stripper. Just stuff I have in my garage that I don't need but don't often have a reason to bring up in conversation lol.

 

Anyone interested in some TRD Rock Warrior decals? I accidentally bought the wrong ones and the majority of the text is in silver. I can bring them to the meet if anyone wants to take a look.

 

I need to try and make it to a meet, but they always happened to get scheduled on nights when I have grad school classes. That and my truck is at Koons for the driveline vibration TSB and I am in a loaner Prius, can't make my first meet in that s-box.

 

I might not be able to make it hurtin on cash to be completely honest haha had alot of shit hit me that I didnt expect

 

Hey guys!
I wanted to introduce myself. I have been reading the forums for a while and decided to finally post. I live in Sterling and have a silver DCLB. I plan on attending the meet up tomorrow, I look forward to meeting some of you.

 

Welcome! See you there!

 

That's fine Danny. No one wants to see you without your truck anyway!

 

I am going to try and get there depending on work and all. Danny, if you go, I'll buy the burger and beer for you man!

 

Welcome!

P.S. With the day I am having if anyone wants to get started on the beer part earlier shoot me a PM.

 

I'd like to, but I don't think I can make it up that way tonight. Too much going on for me. I wish it was closer to the Woodbridge area so I could swing by on my way to get stuff done. I'll see how things are going later tonight and might make the drive out there. How long are y'all staying?