TMacs90 Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Hi there, I'm looking for a little bit of advice regarding installing an AUX fuse box. The 1996 300tdi 100 csw that I have recently purchased has a raptor dash with no less than 14 ports/switches! Only three of them are connected at the minute, drawing from existing ignition activated 12v feeds. I have plans to use some of the other ports/switches, for various applications that I won’t bore you with. My thoughts are that it would be simpler, safer, and more reliable to install a new auxiliary fuse box rather than continually look for power feeds, and perhaps overload the small factory fitted fuse panel, when I want to install a new device. I want to do it myself, and I have a little bit of experience with wiring, soldering etc but by no means an expert! Has anyone done the same or similar in the past? Here is my outline so far, I’d appreciate any feedback on anything that isn’t safe or appropriate! 1. Mount the 100 amp total rating AUX fuse box perhaps in the Raptor glove box to the left of the switch panel for easy access. 2. Mount a 100A breaker in the seat box. 3. Run a positive and a negative feed of 16mm² 110 Amp cable direct from the battery (perhaps a second leisure battery in the future) to the breaker. 4. Continue the positive and negative feed from the breaker to the AUX fuse box with 6mm² 50 Amp cable. 5. Use 2mm² cable to wire positive and negative feeds to the carling switches from the appropriate terminals of the AUX fuse panel. 6. Install the appropriate fuse for the application running from the carling switch. For example GPS charger: 5 amp. Am I missing anything or doing anything wrong with this plan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stambecco Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 I'm no expert but personally, I'd prefer to continue with the beefy cables to the fuse box. The fuse box is rated to 100 amp so I would use cables able to cope with that. I may be wrong but....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 NEVER connect cable that's rated lower than the breaker - if there's a problem your 50A cable can be very merrily on fire before the breaker even notices. If you have a 100A breaker, you want at least 100A rated cable all the way, ideally 120A+ (or lower your breaker rating as you're unlikely to draw 100A through your accessory fusebox are you?) Personally I like the midi-fuses and holders for high current, you can get fuses from ~20A to 100A and they're compact and easily bridged in a pinch: http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php/355/strip-midi-fuse-holder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMacs90 Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 18 hours ago, FridgeFreezer said: NEVER connect cable that's rated lower than the breaker - if there's a problem your 50A cable can be very merrily on fire before the breaker even notices. If you have a 100A breaker, you want at least 100A rated cable all the way, ideally 120A+ (or lower your breaker rating as you're unlikely to draw 100A through your accessory fusebox are you?) Personally I like the midi-fuses and holders for high current, you can get fuses from ~20A to 100A and they're compact and easily bridged in a pinch: http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/product.php/355/strip-midi-fuse-holder appreciate the advice FridgeFreezer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 BTW did you know a cheap eBay voltmeter fits inside the lid of those fuseboxes? Ignore messy wiring, I hadn't finished it at that point! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakmaster Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 1 hour ago, FridgeFreezer said: BTW did you know a cheap eBay voltmeter fits inside the lid of those fuseboxes? Ignore messy wiring, I hadn't finished it at that point! Who Knew?- excelent idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakmaster Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 I have used (for low current applications) these - they are not in the same leauge as the ones above, a bit cheap and cheerful https://cpc.farnell.com/search?st=Automotive Fuse box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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