Need a small power center for accessories

[MojaveJoe]

I recently installed a couple accessories on my truck which were wired straight to the battery terminals.
I will be needing a couple more power source connections for future accessories.
Looking for a 'simple to install and use' small fused power center to hook all these things to so I can avoid battery terminal clutter of accessory wiring.
Probably installing under hood.
Need your ideas and experiences for such items available out there.
Thanks

 

[AH64ID]

I installed one of these in my 05.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/5029/ST_Blade_Fuse_Block_-_12_Circuits_with_Cover

 

[Ozymandias]

Check this out - way better then to drill a dozen holes into the dashboard and a mile of wires running around.

https://store.switchpros.com/sp-910...ower-system-with-concealed-mounting-hardware/

 

[seafish]

IMO, Blue Seas not only makes accessory fuse boxes of good quailty but they also make ones with different configuraitons that in addition to simple positive fused terminals also have a ground bus bar and/or a key on as well as key off positive bus bar.

Many of the different types are also available easily through amazon.

 

[seafish]

BTW here is link to a thorough video review of the versatility and quality of the Blue Seas 12 circuit , split bus bar with ground bus distribution block.

The guy doing the review is an excellent car audio installer, though a little verbose--

 

[Crunch]

Didn't Geno's use to sell a fuse block that plugged directly into the connector port on the side of the OEM fuse block closest to the engine? I remember seeing one years ago, but don't remember much about it.

 

[Jim W]

Yes, it was either in a 3 circuit auxiliary fuse block or a 7-circuit auxiliary fuse block. They even have a weather-resistance fuse block. I purchased one for my 2008, truck works like a champ. The last time I saw one advertised was in their catalog for the winter 2017 issue.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I installed this in my Jeep and previous Ram trucks.
Painless Performance Universal Fuse Blocks 70217

Genos sells them and Summit Racing has them.

Cheers,

Ron

 

[MojaveJoe]

All good tips guys...thanks.
Now....where did you mount your aux fuse block?
On top of the OEM fuse box cover?

 

[Wiredawg]

All good tips guys...thanks.
Now....where did you mount your aux fuse block?
On top of the OEM fuse box cover?

I mounted mine on the driver side firewall in the engine bay. Sorry, no pics. New truck has fused programmable aux switches.

Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

I mounted mine to the top of my drivers side battery.

 

[Crunch]

All good tips guys...thanks.
Now....where did you mount your aux fuse block?
On top of the OEM fuse box cover?

That's exactly where the Geno's fuse block mounted. It was a true plug and play setup; no running wiring or splicing required. One of the biggest advantages was that if you wanted to add circuits you could just unplug it, run the circuit then plug it back in and fire that mother up. I checked their site today and didn't see it, so now I regret not getting it years ago.

 

[Wiredawg]

Genos has several to choose from.

I just copied this from their website. search painless there.

Cheers,

Ron

 

[Jim W]

I attached mine to the firewall and the circuit breaker to the battery box. My 3-circuit fuse box is the weather-resistance one.
See pic's attached.

 

[Wiredawg]

I attached mine to the firewall and the circuit breaker to the battery box. My 3-circuit fuse box is the weather-resistance one.
See pic's attached. View attachment 112624 View attachment 112626

That's how I did mine since most went to switches inside truck. Had a rubber cover for auto resetting breaker. I had switches/ circuits to turn on fogs, backup lights, fuel transfer pump, lights in toolboxes.

Hey, interesting learning experience with Painless auto resetting breaker. These can go bad over time, with using bimetal strip and underhood heat. As failing mine was actually oscillating, wrecking havoc on my after marker gauges and fog light converted daytime running lights. Stumped me until I heard it buzzing. When I bought the replacement a TruValue hardware, I bought a spare.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Jim W]

Ron, thanks for the update but so, far so good. This has been on the truck since April 2011, when I installed my Air bags. I also installed an auxiliary cigar lighter for another 12V power accessary access point, powering off of this circuit.
Jim

 

[slowmover]

Going to add to this per amateur radio gear I’ve been buying.

WEST MOUNTAIN “Rigrunner” series for in-cab distribution. From five circuits on up. Meters. USB. Etc.

After years of avoiding I finally broke down and switched over to ANDERSON POWERPOLES to make connections. See POWERWERX also for these and many similar products. Wished I’d done it years ago.

Found a hydraulic crimper on Amazon at $42 that has made assembling the heavier cables easier. 2-AWG on one project.

I’d like to STRONGLY recommend the use of ANCOR MARINE GRADE wiring & terminations. USCG doesn't allow soldering due to vibration. This product line is not cheap, BUT IT IS BULLETPROOF. Jobs I did 12-years ago when I bought my truck haven’t ever needed replacing or repair. Same on the travel trailer. I’ve been using for 25-years or so.

Same parent as BLUE SEA

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