Wiring a switch box.

[Adam]

I built myself a switch box for the numerious different 12 volt accessories I have running at any given time. I'll probably be running 5-6 switch, and maybe 3-4 of them on at any given time for various things.

Would it be best to run a main power supply to the box through a larger guage wire off my battery, then distribute it, or run each seprate switch to the battery? If I'm not making sense I'll try to clarify. I pretty much hate wiring anything.

[tmkeefe]

I personally like to run a supply line to either a fuse block near the switch box or right to the box. depends on the job and how much space is available. what accessories will you be running and are any of them on a relay type circuit?

by running one line, you have much less to go wrong imho. by doing this, troubleshooting is 1000X easier and things tend to be quite a bit neater.

[Adam]

Thats what my thoughts were. I don't know whats on a relay and what isn't. I was just going to put them on a switch with an inline fuse in each one. I know its better to have a relay, but I don't really know why. What is the advantage?

[XJLI]

run a separate wire straight from the battery and distribute at the box

[crosbike]

Nov 26, 2008 1:32:53 GMT -5 XJLI said:

run a separate wire straight from the battery and distribute at the box

x2. this is what i am doing for my roof lights and what not.

[tmkeefe]

if something is on a relay, like a set of lights (because of a potentially high draw) you can just run a wire to your switch and skip the distribution line. for most things you dont really need a relay, but it is nice to keep high amp circuits kind of isolated. also, with a relay you can use a smaller switch. probably the easiest is to get a small fuse block, run a supply line to the block then out to a switch for each accessory, but have the relay circuits just run the switch wire into the box. this way the fuses are all in one easy location and everything is kept very neat. most often anything on a relay is going to have all of the wiring outside of the cab anyway, so its usually no big deal. ill see if i can draw up a sample diagram tonight to show what i mean. my best advice is to be sure to keep things simple for the future. it may take a bit more time now, but it will be worth it later if anything goes wrong

[Adam]

Nov 28, 2008 10:35:41 GMT -5 tmkeefe said:

if something is on a relay, like a set of lights (because of a potentially high draw) you can just run a wire to your switch and skip the distribution line. for most things you dont really need a relay, but it is nice to keep high amp circuits kind of isolated. also, with a relay you can use a smaller switch. probably the easiest is to get a small fuse block, run a supply line to the block then out to a switch for each accessory, but have the relay circuits just run the switch wire into the box. this way the fuses are all in one easy location and everything is kept very neat. most often anything on a relay is going to have all of the wiring outside of the cab anyway, so its usually no big deal. ill see if i can draw up a sample diagram tonight to show what i mean. my best advice is to be sure to keep things simple for the future. it may take a bit more time now, but it will be worth it later if anything goes wrong

Alex hooked me up with a link for a fuse block. I can figure it out from there, but if want to make the diagram I'm sure it won't hurt.

[Bangarang]

i'd definitly suggest running one wire from the battery to the box. you could also get a inline fuse that they sell for amps and put that in. depending on what your gonna be running off the switches i'd just use a 4 gauge wire from the battery

[Adam]

Okay I started buying a bunch of shit because I want to do this properly, unlike days past where there are random wires everywhere. I have two questions since I don't want this to be a fire hazard or anything if I happen to be running everything at once.



Where the number 1 is. Where is a good place to get a signal (ignition? whatever its called, the one that turns on with the key) The only one I know readily is on the back of the stereo. Can i tape that to use as a main line into my box, then split that up to each switch?

Then number 2, can I do the same thing with the ground? Can I combine all my grounds from my switches, then run a larger guage to my main ground in the engine compartment?

Thanks in advance, and i'll take any other advice since I pretty much hate electrical. I'm running a 4 or 6 gauge wire from the battery with a 30a inline fuse. The fuse panel has 6 30 amp fuses as well.