I'll admit I don't even know what terms to search for here.

Like alot of people I have been using the radioshack "fuse taps" to the fuse box driver's side foot well. That's getting sloppy with 4-5 tapped wires coming out of the box. I have also recently been blowing fuses also. So I am looking to do a much cleaner install of powering up diiferent items that I have added to the FD:

1. HID driving lights
2. Stereo EQ
3. TechEdge Wide band
4. SMIC Puller fan
5. More -I'm sure that I am forgetting stuff

I have been thinking of installing some sort of automotive fuse box in the engine bay, that will take blade fuses and have it switched when the ignition is on using a relay. I just don't know where to tap into get the 12V trigger current or where to buy a relay that will handle enough amps. I'm assuming that a 30 amp relay may not support all the stuff I need to power.

I am looking for solutions or suggestions on how to safely power auxillary items in my FD. Where do you guys get 12v power? Any pics?

 

Anyone?

 

If you want 12v constant tap off battery...if you need just a switching 12v tap the ignition...Just remember that if the item is drawing its power from the 12v switching then you need to use a relay to keep the load off of the ignition source! ie: your radio--you should have a red and a yellow (or similar). Red is the one used to switch on the radio when you turn the ignition on....Yellow is suppling the power for the unit and is also used for memory; it has to stay connected directly to the battery.
Things like gauges(low amps) you can use the ignition source directly.
HID's, fans and higher amp items use a relay hooked to the ignition and battery.

Hope this makes sense!

If this seems unclear let me know!

Marshall

 

JPandes..if you intend on installing alot of electrical components requiring a fair amount of amperage you may think about an alternator upgrade..having the stock alternator running all the time at maximum output,it won't last very long..best to ya ..just noticed Third Gen..(I automatically think Second gen..)..sorry..

 

If your just powering a relay, a handy place to pick up ign. switched power in the engine bay is the blue\red wire on the connector to the wiper motor. As for the size of relay you will need, simply add up all the accessorys, oversized is better. You can get anything you will need from places like Summit Racing or Digi-key ect.

 

i am with gadd on this one also. use a switched source to power up an accesory relay 50 amp maybe that will have it's own fused power line staright from the battery. this will avoid any voltage drop issues from tapping into other sources

 

THANKS GUYS! This is exactly the information that I was looking for. I love this forum.

 

I have a 94 and mine was the solid blue wire at the wiper motor. The blue/red wire was not switched power. I would advise that you check which wire is the switched source before tapping. This is a great place to get the switched power though! I used it as the switched source to my relay.

 

^^^lol...2 year old thread.... John drives a ZO6 now....