DFW BS Thread : ********NEW MEET!! CHECK POST #1*******

How many relays do you have? Does each auxiliary item need us own relay?

 

1 relay runs the two back lights and the other relay runs the front lights
I have not had the chance to wire the rest of my crap. You can run two lights off one relay but what all were you trying to wire up? I can have them all on one since they are led and don't draw Mitch power but if the fuse relay or wire go out then I loose all my shit to where if it's seperate I can easily isolate the problem.

 

Here's mine. Overbuild the battery to fuse and ground cables at the beginning and you can add whatever later instead of having to redo those as well. Marine supply store are good for waterproof heavy gauge wire.

 

What gauge are you using?

 

I think 2, maybe 4, forget exactly without looking since I ran heavy duty wire for the winch solenoid relocate.

The expandable sleeve it's in is 3/8" and I have another 20' of it if anyone wants.

 

I think I'm going to run 4. Problem is, I'm not sure what size terminals to get. I see a lot of people use 1/4" terminals.

 

Don't remember but I know by looking at them. It's 2 gauge, got at Home Depot I used house wire since its stiff and stays what ever shape you bend it too.

 

Try a marine supply store like west Marine, they have all the electrical stuff you need and usually a savvy person to talk to.

 

Terminal size depends on what you are connecting to. Blue Sea fuse block is #10-32 for positive bus and #8-32 for each terminal.

FYI, the higher the strand count the better. Home depot wire is more residential use and low strand count.


Here is Blue Sea's recommended wire gauge chart

 

Home Depot wiring is defiantly residential and less strand count then automotive but for what I need it for it works.

 

Oh ok gotcha.

This is the tutorial I am referencing.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-secondary-stand-alone-fuse-block-install.120561/

He uses 1/4" stud size, which is #8 I believe?

Anyways, I bought some pretty cheap ones off eBay. So I'll see if some fit and go from there. I'm a more visual person, so I think I'll be able to figure it out once I actually see it.

 

When you see it it makes a lot more sense. I'm sure I missed it but what all were you trumping to run power to?

 

Eventually, I will have 2 light bars (20" & 50") for sure connected. I want to add an inverter as well. I haven't really figured out what else to add from there.

I am saving up for retros too. Do the hids need to be connected to this as well?

 

Yup, that's what I used on the dual battery setup in my '84 Silverado and works great, but I'm ok with spending the extra $$ to do it "right" (although I used 1/0 which IS overkill)

 

Each light bar will need its own relay and no the HIDS will be plugged into your existing headlight connections

 

And I'm debating on installing a winch one day. I know I'm a PreRunner, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

No relay for the winch, goes directly to battery

 

How do you connect all these multiple connections to the battery?

 

Marine grade battery terminal look closely. Pos is on the right and you can kind of make out the wing nut

 

Ive been checking out Bussmann fuse block/pannel. Anyone have anything to say about why they prefer Blue Sea over Bussmann?