switchable fuse block?
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Senior User
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From: lake park, MN
switchable fuse block?
alright, need some help. Im adding lights to my truck, LOTS of lights. My idea is i fabricated upfitter switches into my 03 and Id like to figure a way to add a couple more driving lights, clearance lights, ground running lights, ect onto an additional fuse block under the hood with just one of my upfitter switches to turn on the fuse block. What im trying to figure out is there some way for a low amp switch to kick on a whole fuse block? If so can anyone point me in the right direction to pick that part up and the cost? Any other hints or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Chris
Thanks!
Chris
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Senior User
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From: lake park, MN
so are all relay switches rated the same? Is there such a thing as too much load for a relay switch? If im thinking correctly I can run my main power from my battery through a relay and hook the other end to a fuse box with all my lights running into the fuse box and run the switch to the relay so the whole fuse box has no power untill I turn on the switch to the relay right?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lorain County, Ohio
Originally Posted by denman81
so are all relay switches rated the same? Is there such a thing as too much load for a relay switch? If im thinking correctly I can run my main power from my battery through a relay and hook the other end to a fuse box with all my lights running into the fuse box and run the switch to the relay so the whole fuse box has no power untill I turn on the switch to the relay right?
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From: Virginia
He's correct, most of the standard Bosch type foglamp relays are around 30 amps. If you run over 30 amps, just use two relays. One relay can feed one half of the fuse box, and the other can feed the rest. You can also divide it up in thirds and run three relays. The reason you might want to do it this way is the 30 amp relay and the 10 gauge wire needed to supply it are very common and easy to get. You can just run 1, 2, or 3 10 guage wires from the battery to a 30 amp circuit breaker or fuse for each(keep these as close to the battery as possible), and then run to the relays and then the fuse box or boxes.
If you want to figure out the load of any large lighting, take the watts number and divide it by 12 volts, and that will give you the amps the light takes.
If you are going to add a lot of running lights, you might want to add a relay just for them, and instead of triggering the relay with a upfitter switch, you could let the brown running light circuit trigger the relay. Then the extra lights would come on with the rest of the lights automatically.
If you want to figure out the load of any large lighting, take the watts number and divide it by 12 volts, and that will give you the amps the light takes.
If you are going to add a lot of running lights, you might want to add a relay just for them, and instead of triggering the relay with a upfitter switch, you could let the brown running light circuit trigger the relay. Then the extra lights would come on with the rest of the lights automatically.
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From: sunny fla sometimes windy
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index...TS&Category=95
The one on the bottom left 300 amps should be plenty!! They also have 80 amp
bosch type relays in the automotive section. IF you are running alot of lights on
the stock switch already I would wire in a relay for that instead of relying on the
switch. Skycraft has some good deals on the marine grade wire that will outlast
the truck if you are planning on keeping it I would only use that.
The one on the bottom left 300 amps should be plenty!! They also have 80 amp
bosch type relays in the automotive section. IF you are running alot of lights on
the stock switch already I would wire in a relay for that instead of relying on the
switch. Skycraft has some good deals on the marine grade wire that will outlast
the truck if you are planning on keeping it I would only use that.
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I buy these by the 10 pak - something like 3-4 bucks apiece with socket.
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From: Virginia
The one on the bottom left 300 amps should be plenty!! They also have 80 amp
bosch type relays in the automotive section.
bosch type relays in the automotive section.
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