Power distribution box

[GotSmart]

I have seen this brought up in many different threads, but right now I have a need to find the information and am unable. :huh:

I am ready to build my power set up, but am finding a clean location to mount things hard to find on the firewall. I am planning on hooking onto the alternator and run a wire to the batteries. I need to put items in the system. Would it be best to run the main power wire into a dedicated distribution box, inside a cabinet, where I can put the safety fuses and solenoid? It would mean running an extra 5 feet of wire, but having my parts and connections clean and dry and easily accessible should be worth the miniscule power loss.

After this detour, it would run down 3 feet to the batteries and them back up 4 feet to the fuse panel. where the power will be distributed to the 110 and 12v outlets.

I have seen other members post pictures of there boxes. Can you please do that again?

Thanks~~~

 

[SternWake]

I would recommend running a fat cable right from alt(+) to solenoid to house battery.

From house battery have a cable going to the Fuse block, which acts like the power distribution center. No need to locate the distribution point in between the alternator and battery. Better to Put it after the battery especially if the Aux battery is not located under the hood

This also allows you to not touch and stock vehicular wiring.

Buss Studs can allow you to run a bunch of cables from one area. I use the studs on the back of my "boat" battery switches to distribute power to my fuse block or inverter or charger but you can get, or make, a product like/ similar to this to do so and keep things clean and organized.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Powe...UTF8&qid=1402511986&sr=8-8&keywords=buss+stud

The Solenoid does not need to go on the firewall either. You can put it next to the Aux batteries if you want, when you take the power directly from the alternator and not from the starter battery. You can then put multiple cables on the solenoid Studs using the Aux battery stud as power distribution point. but I;d say have a dedicated cable coming off the Aux battery as a distributor of Aux battery current.

Put voltmeters right on battery terminals and not any shared distribution points for best results.




My ATC fuse block is fed with a short length of 4awg cable from my battery Switch Stud. and the fuse block distributes power to Sub 20 amps all house loads. I pull power for the inverter from the battery switch stud.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I would recommend running a fat cable right from alt(+) to solenoid to house battery.

Of course, that fat cable has an appropriately sized fuse on it, right?

Regards
John

 

[GotSmart]

Of course, that fat cable has an appropriately sized fuse on it, right?

Regards
John

That is what he keeps telling me!

 

[SternWake]

I always recommend fusing the wire, but I don't always take my own Advice.

Getting a large ring terminal onto the alternator(+) is not always easy.

I wound up having to grind mine down to fit inside the "hood". The use of a couple brass washers and a spacer allowed me to maximize surface area on both the OEM ring terminal and my Modified one.

While I do have a 140 amp circuit breaker near my battery switches. I d like on on the alternator itself.

I was thinking of adding a fairly short length of 10awg fusible link, but this product minimises the connections needed, and can also go on the battery terminals as designed, for a clean install:

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst..._sim_sg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DTBY0ZKWK5DTNG325YM

 

[GotSmart]

I finally got notice that the order I placed with Amazon last week is being shipped. Fuse holders, brass connectors, lighting and outlet. I should be able to set up my power D~Box next week. I have a place I can put things where it is easy access. Not enough room to mount to the batteries. Meanwhile, I can find or build the proper size box for expansion.