Littlefuse Add a Circuit

[Archive]

i have a question for anyone who has ever used a Littlefuse mini ATO Add a Circuit. I was going to use one of these to tap on the dash light circuit at the fuse panel for powering the lights in my A pillar gauges. I cannot get it to work in the fuse panel. It is too tight in there so I even filed the plastic connector part down and tapered the legs and still it won't work. It is a real nice addition for tapping the fuse panel if it worked. I have e-mailed Littlefuse with no results. Anybody know the secret to getting the Add a Circuit to fit??

Thanks in advance.
Bill

------------------
Y2K "Limited Edition" 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , (New)Factory Towing Mirrors, Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, 8,000+ lbs. of Driving Pleasure since 12-16-99!



[This message has been edited by Bill Stockard (edited 02-08-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Hi Bill, I installed gauges about 2 weeks ago and finally found little brass strips that "supposedly" fit in the fuse slot to add a tap for the lights,,, HA!! After filing them down and pushing as hard as I dare, didn't want to break the plastic fuse panel, they didn't work, so in the trash they went. Just yesterday I took the dash off and installed a scotch tap in the wire going to the ash tray light which allows them to dim with the dash lights. Seems like everything I do is not easy

------------------
99,2500,QC,6speed,3. 54 LSD,long bed,Line-X

 

[Archive]

What I did was pull the dash apart [that piece around the out side just pulls right off] can't rember the light switch has a screw or something holding it get a test light turn lights on off to make sure you're tapping a wire that turns on and off with lights I taped a brown,white or yellow That was over a year ago works fine and the switch is right there Darryl

 

[Archive]

Hey Bill, I tried to get one of those to work too, tapering, chamfering and deburring the brass leg terminals... all to no avail (on my first one anyway). After removing the OE fuse from the fuse panel, look VERY closely at the "ends" of the socket, there are tabs which will not allow the Littlefuse Add-A-Circuit to fully seat in its socket. I used a Dremel mini die grinder with the appropriate "burr" (bit) to replicate the orientation groove(s) in the Add-A-Circuit. You have to be extremely careful as to how much material to remove. . if you make the groove too deep you will cut through the plastic into the brass legs. There is a fine line between the required depth of the groove and "breaking through" into the brass legs. I purchased two of these, destroying the first one by being a little overzealous with the die grinder. The second one turned out OK. However, after all that, I elected to go with a different plan. . I installed one of the waterproof Painless Wiring, 7-circuit, Cirkit Bosses I'd purchased through Geno's Garage instead. Works a heck of a lot better, with room for accessory expansion.

Good luck with your project Bill.

------------------
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (Black) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, Glasstite Vision II canopy, Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, VDO Vision gauges, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights and Super White bulbs, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, "Scotty Air System", Hitco/Geno's exhaust blanket, Femco/Geno's EZ Drain oil pan plug, Banks Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system, plus many other trick modifications

'00 Polaris 6x6

 

[Archive]

John,

Thanks for the advice. I looked closely as you suggested and I filed the plastic covering down to where the Add A Circuit fits nicely in the fuse block. Littlefuse needs to do a little "refining" on their manufacturing process. I used the Add A Circuit to hook up the relay on my Painless Wiring Kit which operates the ignition on circuits. Also I used a second Add A Circuit to tap on fuse 5A for the instrument panel lights to power my gauge lights in the A-Pillar. The gauge bulbs will dim or brighten the same as the instrument panel. I used a 3 amp fuse in each application.

Thanks again John!!



------------------
Y2K "Limited Edition" 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , (New)Factory Towing Mirrors, Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, 8,000+ lbs. of Driving Pleasure since 12-16-99!



[This message has been edited by Bill Stockard (edited 02-11-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

You are so correct Bill! NOW I remember... I was attempting to use the Littlefuse Add-A-Circiut as the trigger wire connection point for my Painless Wiring "ignition on" wire. Doh!

I ended up splicing into an existing circuit with my usual method of splicing. . solder and heat shrink tubing.

I'm glad it turned out well for you. John

[This message has been edited by John (edited 02-12-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Just installed my VDO Vision Series Guages today.

The recommendation from John sure did help. I used the same Dremel technique, and when I got to the point of connecting the wiring to the junction box, all was well.

The Littlefuse Add-a-circuit was handy. I used the filed Mini on fuse #5, and a standard ATO on fuse #2 for the "ignition on" power required by the pyro. The standard size does not require filing.

I would like to find a way to put guage installation instructions on the net to share my lessons learned. I am a complete novice at things like this, but was successful today because of help from this board, and other TDR members. John has answered numerous e-mails and been quite helpful.

I know TST has some, and so does the product review section, but for the uninitiated, it is still quite intimidating. I will type up a file that I can e-mail to anyone that would like a complete run-down on all the parts and tools you will need. From 1/4" 18 NPT tap to insulated spade connectors. Thanks to TDR members and the Roundtable, I started and finished the project without any surprises, or trips to the auto store.

Thanks.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Andy R:
I used the same Dremel technique, and when I got to the point of connecting the wiring to the junction box, all was well. The Littlefuse Add-a-circuit was handy.

Peculiar. The Add-a-circuit I used popped right into the fuse block on my '98. I have a second, as-yet-unused, right here and can't see any manufacturing flaws. Mayhap Littlefuse is using a worn-out injection mold?

Fest3er

 

[Archive]

fest3er,

Does your truck use the mini fuses or the stanard size fuses? The 2000s use the mini fuses.



------------------
Y2K "Limited Edition" 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , (New)Factory Towing Mirrors, Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, 8,000+ lbs. of Driving Pleasure since 12-16-99!

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Bill Stockard:
Does your truck use the mini fuses or the stanard size fuses? The 2000s use the mini fuses.

Ah! I have both sizes on mine, but I plugged into a normal-size fuse slot.

This URL:
http://www.littlefuse.com/ContactUs/ContactUs.htm

will let you send a message to Littlefuse. I'd bet they would want to know if they have a manufacturing problem with their product.

Fest3er

 

[Archive]

fest3er

I sent an e-mail about 10 days ago, no reply. Later I send a letter the old fashioned way so maybe they'll answer that way. I would like to get the correct size for my TDR friend who has a 2001 3500 ETH-DEE built on Feb. 8th and is now on the train to OK City, OK in route to Claremore, OK. I will help him hookup some of his goodies I have sitting in my shop waiting on the new truck. He's a full time Rver with no place to store the stuff he has ordered.

------------------
Y2K "Limited Edition" 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , (New)Factory Towing Mirrors, Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, Reese 20K Hitch, EGT & Boost Gauges, RPM 45 Gallon Aux. Fuel Tank, Highway Products 5th Wheel Toolbox, PacBrake, Painless Wiring Kit, 8,000+ lbs. of Driving Pleasure since 12-16-99!