geting power

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Dec 17, 2004 | 08:46 PM

f-4x4

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geting power

i ve got a question thats agrivated be forever. How do you hook several thing up threw switched power and your fuse bow not look like a rats nest and you have to worry about knocking wires out. the way ive always done it was to take a crip on blade and stick it between the fuse and were the fuse plugs in (all my trucks have the tube fuses)

also what is a relay

please read and help

thanks in advanced

Dec 17, 2004 | 09:05 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

You can add one of these aux fuse panels. Run one heavy wire out of the fuse box into this fuse panel, and run all your extra circuits from the new fuse panel.

That is part number ZX037115W from JCWhitney.com

Here is an explanation of what a relay is.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...t/elect129.htm

In cars and trucks, it is used to switch large current devices. One of the largest relays in any car or truck is the starter relay. Your small ignition switch sends voltage to the starter relay coil. The starter relay coil pulls some very large contacts together to complete the circuit to the starter, which will usually draw at least 100 amps when turning the engine. Some smaller relays are usually used for foglamps, fuel pumps, horns, etc.

Dec 18, 2004 | 08:59 AM

f-4x4

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ok so i could ge a fuse panel. Then run a large wire from the battery through a relay to the fuse box, then take a small wire from switched power run it to the relay and when i turn the key on the auxiliary fuse box will get power

Dec 18, 2004 | 09:37 AM

grafekie

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From: Simpsonville, KY

Yes, I have several of those setups in my truck. Its hard to find relays that are that big though, most have to be selanoids, which aren't generally made for constant duty. There are some out there, do a search for "isolater selanoids". I haven't found a reasonable relay that could handle more than 30A.

Dec 18, 2004 | 02:18 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by f-4x4

Boy, you learn fast. That's exactly what you could do. All you need to keep in mind is the amperage your circuits will be drawing, so you can size everything correctly. If you don't know the amps of something, you can figure it out by taking the watts of the device and divide it by 12 (because you are using 12 volts). This will give you the amps. Then you can size your main fuse, your relay, etc.