DIY - Build and install a Bussmann RTMR Fuse/Relay Block

Haven't done this yet, but plan to based on this:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...control-wiring-from-basic-to-warn-zeon.48651/

 

I was making great progress on sunday until I ran out of female terminals, tore into a new bag and instantly remembered there are tanged and tangless terminals. That was a $30 mistake and it will cost me a week of downtime on the RTMR build. Once I finish everything up, I will provide a writeup for the pigtail/harness going from the engine bay/rtmr to the cubby next to the 110v outlet in the bed if anyone wants the info?

 

Since I am using the relay controlled circuits for ignition switched circuits, I am looking for a good circuit to tap into, what has everyone used for the ignition signal on a 3rd gen with push to start?

 

I used poutlet2 since my 70 amp relay is under the cup holders. I removed the plastic connector, added heat shrink, and pushed the female terminals on directly.

 

I'm honestly not even sure if I have a POUTLET2 circuit, I know when I was using add-a-fuse taps for the heated seats I ran into a few differences between 2019 and earlier 3rd gen tacomas. Also, I should have specified, since the rtmr and all my connections are under the hood I would prefer to tag into something under the hood as well.

 

But the switches are in the cab so power for the switches which are in the cab could come from in the cab. There are circuits that are always hot and some that are ignition hot, fuse taps to either (or both) can allow you to have your system work the way you want.

 

no switches for me, everything that I am powering is either always hot or ignition hot. my relays are installed right side up so I am using the internal bus bar to provide an ignition hot signal to the coils and and actuate the relays.

 

Finally getting around to my final step - making the mounting plate. Did a paper, then lexan mockup. Final is 1/8” stainless, which is honestly a bit much. Wish I went with 0.100”.




Either way, gonna be so much nicer than my old setup lol…

 

How did you make the panel itself? CNC? Someone made it custom based on your file? I wanna make my own panel but don't have access to the tools or skills to make something clean looking. I am pretty good at whacking things with BFHs though.

 

I sent my files out to an online shop (SendCutSend.com) and it was laser cut. I was little hesitant to try, but I haven’t had shop access recently bc of covid so I just went for it. At $100 the cost was meh, but reasonable for a one-off run imo. That included the material, laser cutting, bending, deburring, and fedex shipping. The service was actually really smooth and and it delivered in like 6 days. If you are good with CAD or even just Adobe Illustrator it should be easy.

The paper one was cut with a CNC paper cutter I have at home, and I used that to trace out the lexan and cut that with a jigsaw/bent with acetylene torch. You can definitely go that route as a final product if you wanna DIY and don’t mind if it’s not 100% perfect. I ran the lexan for a couple weeks and it was workable.

 

Guess I need to learn CAD. I've used 3ds Max up to now to do my 3d modeling.

 

For laser cutting you don't even really need a 3D model, they're just gonna want a flattened 2D drawing like this, where the dashed line indicates the center of the bend. So yeah AutoCAD or Illustrator is easiest, but there might be a way to export the top view of a Max model as a DXF.

 

Now that you mention it, I think that is an export option. Never tried it.

How did you start your sketch? Did you work with dimensions from an existing plate and go from there or start from scratch?

 

I started with cardboard to rough out the max length/width. I settled on 9.25" wide x 8" tall (not including the flange, which adds another 1.75" to the width). Sketched that out on the computer along with the bussmann/breaker/etc and moved everything around until I got something I liked. I was playing with a bunch of different shapes but kept coming back to the simple "L" bc everything fits perfectly and it leaves that extra bit of space in case I ever want to add anything.

These should help, if you're using the same items.

 

I was unaware it was ok to post (engineering) porn on this site!

 

I'm finally getting around to tackling this. Would you be willing to share the dimensions (or even better, the DXF itself) of your tray? Figured I'd ask so I don't have to reinvent the wheel.

 

sure thing, I’ll post some stuff up when I get home later tonight

 

Anyone use something like this to clean up the supply coming off the battery?

$25 Blue Sea Systems 2340 Battery Terminal Mount Tin-plated Copper BusBars, Positive and Negative with 4 x 10-24" Stainless Screws, 32V, 100A,Red/Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T59OLQQ?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I've got the Bussman, a switch for my winch, and something else I can't recall at this point.

 

Stock cables too. Those connectors still need free bolt space on the stock clamps . There are other connectors that both replace the stock clamps and provide additional space for cables of different sizes. I went with Xscorpion but another might work better for you.

 

What are some examples of things to add to the fused circuits but still have control of the accessory? Low-power lights come to mind.