FJ Cruisers of Northern California

PANEL DISCUSSION Multi switch panel?

So running a single battery with 7-10 outs need to consolidate and (ideally) color all throws.
Looking for a panel that can accommodate this load in one spot?
Is there a need for an aux. fuse panel? Bz 's doing the wiring but I am looking ahead and wanting to put all the switches in one place.
Not much out there in the way of modest and minimal any ideas would be welcome.
PLEASE!
ON the cheap! Serious answers only please;-)
To be clear, simple, clean, and (preferably) bbbblack

have a laugh and respond!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by daPitbull on June 29, 2009 at 9:35pm

www.12voltguy.com
If you're going to running a bunch of accessories, I'd think about putting in a fuse block. Blue Sea Fuse Block

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on June 30, 2009 at 7:01am

Check out marinas like West Marin for a switch panel. You can get the fuse block there too.

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Permalink Reply by 5150 Cruiser on June 30, 2009 at 8:33am

Whileyou can easily buy a panel with all the nessasary switches, finding a spot for said paner is going to be a problem. YOu best bet is going to be a custom made panel, mounting them to the left of the sterring wheel under the vent. And likeothers have said, you'll defenatly need an afermarket fuze block.

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Permalink Reply by Vaughn on June 30, 2009 at 11:25am

Thanx guys will start with those suggestions!

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Permalink Reply by BlueWilly on June 30, 2009 at 11:56am

here are three different ideas I have seen. I think I like the metal box the guy made in the third example the best.

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/how-technical-articles/61976-...

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/how-technical-articles/41016-...

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/member-build-ups/29741-kd7nac...

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Permalink Reply by GRM on June 30, 2009 at 9:49pm

x2 for the Blue Sea Fuse Block, and the 12volt guy panel. Also go to Del City for all your connectors and wiring. In fact, del city sells the blue sea fuse block, and they supply the parts to 12voltguy.

Hands down, only way to fly. Its a few more $$$, but completely worth it. I run 2 12voltguy panels, a blue sea fuse block, and a few hundred feet of del city wires/connectors... consider buying trailer wire for running anything outside the cabin of the vehicle.

On the connector aspect of things. ONLY RUN SHRINK TUBE TERMINALS. While you may not need the heat shrink, it will have a much greater pull strength, resulting in a better performing terminal in the long run.

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on July 2, 2009 at 10:50am

ONLY RUN SHRINK TUBE TERMINALS. While you may not need the heat shrink

Can you explain more this part?

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Permalink Reply by Vaughn on July 2, 2009 at 9:03pm

I guess he is suggesting that one heat shrink tube the connection points vs. tape or naked. Thanx planned on it got a gun today a harbor freight for $10- and a whole lota other goodies!!

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Permalink Reply by GRM on July 3, 2009 at 2:09am

By using shrink tube terminals (you can look them up at delcity.net), you will gain a much higher pull capacity before the wire rips out of the terminal. While you may not need the weatherproofing capacity of the terminal, you can utilize the other characteristics of a shrink tube terminal.

I have found with our applications (lots of assembly/disassembly with new modifications) that wires tend to pull out of terminals, or can get loose, causing connection issues.