Need to make a "Power Box"

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Apr 7, 2009 | 11:17 AM

jam92102

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Need to make a "Power Box"

Hey all. I am wanting to mount a power point inside the cab. Kind of an extension of the positive post on the battery. That way I wouldn't have to be going through the firewall all the time. What I would also like to do is, in the same box, make a power point that is ignition switched.

I figure I'd try to run maybe 1 four gauge cable from the battery, underneath the cab, and up through the floor near the back wall of the cab.
This would be in an enclosed box that I would make look real nice of course. I'm having trouble with how I can connect the cable to the box securly, without it grounding out to the truck.

Also if I find a ignition switched wire how do I hook it up to where the "ignition on" power can be disributed, without putting all the load on that wire? I'd appreciate any and all help you all can give me. Just let me know if you I haven't been clear enough.

Apr 7, 2009 | 01:24 PM

FTE Trigger

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From: Greenvile, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by jam92102

I'm doing something similar in my truck. Except mine is mostly being housed in a electrical controls box (used in automated manufacturing) and using Pheonix Contact terminal blocks to distribute power from one wire. Pheonix also makes some nice terminal blocks with the ATC fuse holder integrated into it.

When I get home later I'll give you links and pictures (if I can find some). I'm also using S-O cable and MTW & Teflon wire for most of it.

Apr 7, 2009 | 01:48 PM

jam92102

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Thanks Trigger. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Apr 7, 2009 | 10:23 PM

FTE Trigger

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From: Greenvile, SC

Here is a pic of the terminal blocks. The black ones are the blade/atc fuse holders. The blue ones are the double tier blocks (two or more functions) which in this picture has a barrier strip connecting a particular group together
1.) https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...213316&width=0
2.)

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Apr 7, 2009 | 10:33 PM

FTE Trigger

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From: Greenvile, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by jam92102

This would be in an enclosed box that I would make look real nice of course. I'm having trouble with how I can connect the cable to the box securly, without it grounding out to the truck.

Use a Olflex strain relief / or liquid-tite strain relief. These are usually plastic with a rubber relieving ring that tightens around the cable- keeping it in place w/out grounding to the box or the truck. You may have to google it to find a "consumer" supplier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jam92102

Also if I find a ignition switched wire how do I hook it up to where the "ignition on" power can be disributed, without putting all the load on that wire? I'd appreciate any and all help you all can give me. Just let me know if you I haven't been clear enough.

Using a relay here would help (being routed to the terminal blocks). I am using a 30amp continous-heavy duty relay. For my uses I could have down-graded but it was the only cont./HD relay I had in my "toy box".

Apr 8, 2009 | 04:43 PM

FTE Trigger

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From: Greenvile, SC

After some time I'm thinking not everyone had a budget like mine to use in this manner.
The PC terminal blocks are about $2 ea. (w/out a large qty disc.)
The PC fuse holder blocks are about $10.50 ea. (" ")

So I've come up with some alternatives...
Instead of using the Phoenix Contact terminal blocks... you could use something like this:DOUBLE ROW TERMINAL BLOCKS TERMINAL BLOCK JUNCTION BLOCK* - Waytek Wire SCREW/DOUBLE ROW TERMINAL BLOCKS/TERMINAL BLOCK JUNCTION BLOCK/

Then in place of the barrier strips to group certain ones together you could use these:DOUBLE ROW TERMINAL BLOCKS TERMINAL BLOCK JUNCTION BLOCK* - Waytek Wire

Then to protect your circuits... here are inline fuse holders:BLADE FUSES CIRCUIT PROTECTION* - Waytek Wire

Here are the strain reliefs I mentioned earlier: Lapp Online Catalog Your local Controls/building electrical supply store should have something similar.