accessories fuse block with power controlled with ignition

Hey,

I am looking into getting a fuse block that I will mount under the hood. And after researching and reading, I am not finding out how I would wire this block up to only supply power when the ignition is switched on orbin ACC.

Being that there are so many write ups on this site I figured I would ask and see if someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for all your help

 

Use relays. If it's enough load to want another fuse (or several more fuses for several more loads) you don't want to be running that load through your ignition switch. You want the actual power supply wired as direct to the battery (or, say, underhood fuse box input terminal) as you can, then use one or more relays on your loads.

 

So you would recommend not to use a fuse block? Or power the fuse block directly to the battery and then be able to run through the fuse block to what ever is being added?

 

Depends what all you're doing with it, and how much versatility you need. If it's relatively low current (20-30ish amps or less overall) and you want everything to be switched hot, there are fuse boxes/blocks that have spots for one or more relays, and you could wire the relay directly to the battery and trigger it with an ignition hot, then have everything on the fuse block powered by that relay only when the ignition is on.

If you want more versatility, you can get blocks with several relays and fuses for each one. Or just plain old use relays downstream of the fuses in your block, and use key-switched sources (where possible) for the switch that'll control your relays. The power to the relays will be constant, but they won't be doing anything unless the switch is on, AND the input to it is powered.

 

So I want to add a few USB ports in the back, add an LED light to the center console to switch on when I open it. Maybe the same for the glove box. And also a CB radio.

I have been thinking about adding in stuff to the bed of the truck later down the road.

 

No disrespect intended - if you don't understand the above, please consult a professional technician for help wiring your fuse block.

 

Jbrnigan,

Didn't say that I did or didn't understand the explanation that was given. I was simply stating what I was wanting to add in and was on the thought process that maybe I was over thinking things and there might be an easier way on how to wire up the stuff that I wanted.

And no disrespect was taken. And that is the main reason I am on this site, is to learn. Where I am at I don't know of anyone that would be able to help me. (Not saying there isn't any, I just don't know).

 

In that case, based on your stated list of accessories you want to power.... "If it's relatively low current (20-30ish amps or less overall) and you want everything to be switched hot, there are fuse boxes/blocks that have spots for one or more relays, and you could wire the relay directly to the battery and trigger it with an ignition hot, then have everything on the fuse block powered by that relay only when the ignition is on." You can get fuse blocks and relays from Amazon. You also might be able to use Tap-a-fuse adaptors, utilizing the interior accessory fuse box.

 

For something piddly like LEDs for the console & glove box, I'd probably just tie them into the interior lighting circuit TBH. Not necessarily saying it's the most "right" way, but for a couple watts, I'd KISS. It's already fused, it's always on (I'd think you'd want to have a light in there without the key on as often as not) and you'd have to leave them on for days to kill the battery.

If you're wanting a CB and some USB charging outlets keyed, I'd go with a small fuse block with a built-in relay, or just putting a relay in the supply of a commonly available regular block.

My personal preference are the ones from Bussmann that use Delphi terminals... you do have to wire pins to them, but they're clean looking, sealed, and not all janky like the cheap ones with spade terminals. The ones with studs or screw terminals are OK too, just not as weatherproof or clean looking.