Trying not to overload my battery

Hello everyone, I’ve been doing some diy lighting for my truck and everything is fine, but if I wanted to add more items that would need to be wired to the battery, what would I need to do so I don’t blow a fuze or overload the battery?

 

It really depends on how much you want to add and how far you want to push the truck and electrical system. For lights and accessories that aren't going to be running 100% of the time, you can normally get away with an auxiliary fuse block. If you're looking at pushing massive amounts of additional full-time power you might want to consider an additional battery or at least upgrading to an AGM + tuning the alt for the higher amperage they require. Try to plan out your build and see where you want it to end up and build it to suite those needs from the beginning so you don't need to redo stuff a bunch of times. Most aux lighting is LED now which draws considerably less power than halogen and HID bulbs did.

I've added a few things to my truck with an Overland Equipped breaker + fuse block setup with properly wired relays and so far no issues (and no parasitic draw), nor do I predict any. I like this setup because it has individual fuses + a breaker if the system gets overloaded or detects a fault. Seems to be a pretty safe and clean way to add accessories. This pic is from when it was first installed, but there's a few more accessories wired up now. I will be adding more and completely overhauling the audio soon but since the lights aren't running 24/7 the stock charging system should be more than adequate to keep up, especially with LED lighting. I will eventually be upgrading to a Northstar or X2 battery but the OEM battery is fine for my needs at this point. I do not think I will do anything that requires a second battery.

Accessories existing and planned: 5ch amp, grill light bar, chase light, spotlights, dual air compressor, Brite Box. They will rarely, if ever, all be running at once.



I rewired the relays to work with factory style switches as well. All very clean with no splicing into any factory wiring.

 

let’s see some photos of your current setup under the hood. Relays and fuses are battery and vehicle savers

 

drizzoh's set up is super clean.

I recommend you avoid wiring directly to your battery. You will want a a custom fuse box with relays or an off-the-shelf solution.

Another option, which I am running, is the SDHQ Switch Pro 9100. (Search this forum for threads on this, they exist). You give up your coin tray on the left side of the steering wheel, but the system is brilliant and the install is a breeze.

I also have a a simple underhood battery doc tender that constantly charges a backup battery in my toolbox it whenever the vehicle is running. I'm not carrying nearly the load as drizzoh so I've never had a dead primary battery. But it darn sure gives me peace of mind to know I can push a button on the tender and the vehicle will crank from the backup battery in my toolbox. I go to a lot of remote locations for work. I test it on the 1st day of each month.

 

Awesome!!!! Thanks a lot for the information!! I will be definitely prepping for the installation soon. And the pics definitely helped. I appreciate the feedback!

 

Mine ain't pretty, but it cost me all of 15 dollars. It will take some serious appliances to overwhelm the alternator/battery. But you do want to wire your things in a safe manner.

 

How much power do the new items require?

 

Yup, aftermarket external fuse box with relays is the way to go.

 

I know I know she’s dusty in there. She’ll be clean once this wind dies down lol.
Pretty much everything I have right now is stock. I’ve only added tweeters DS18, leds for the headlights, and led strips in the bed of the truck.

 

Yup, & that's how it all gets started right there! LOL

 

Hahaha yeah, I’m JUST getting started on everything, after having it since May of 2019, it’s gonna be an expensive year. Lol

 

Just finished up my main breaker and auto charge relay panel. Also has a 6 fuse block on it and plenty of space for some relays when/if needed under the hood.

this will feed a second battery in the bed which will feed another fuse panel and a bunch of extras.

I’ll post a picture of it mounted in the next day or two, but the tab sits under the battery and then the battery hood down j bolt holds everything in place.