Electrical question

John Harden · 01-05-2007, 05:17 PM

I'm installing a Painless Performance dual battery control system on my truck. I'm supposed to tap into a power source that is hot in the run AND start position ONLY. Has to be powered in both run and start and NOT when the ignition is in the off position.

Any of you electrical guru's out there happen to know the location of a wire under the dash that is of this type? I'd prefer drivers side as this is where I'll mount the switch but passenger side would work as well. I can just run an extension cable.

There is no power requirements for this wire as it only goes to the switch. All the real power goes through the solenoid and batteries. I have 2/0 welding cable for that.

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,

John

BHMTitan · 01-06-2007, 06:04 PM

In fuse panel next to glove compartment, just do a Add-A-Circuit fuse tap to the first 15A fuse on left side of this fuse block. That fuse is the switched (passenger side) power outlet. You can easily run the wire under the dash, between console and firewall to the driver side for a switch connection.

John Harden · 01-06-2007, 06:20 PM

Perfect.

Thanks!!!!!

BHMTitan · 01-06-2007, 07:21 PM

No problem. I'm about to do this for some auxillary reverse lights. I've got a question for you... where/how to get +12V power under the hood? I'm using a relay, found the trigger I need for the relay, but still need to determine the best way to get the power. Ideas?

bestatchess · 01-06-2007, 07:27 PM

"where/how to get +12V power under the hood?"

Is this a trick question? How about the + battery terminal? If you still have the OEM battery, I think there is an accessory terminal.

bestatchess · 01-06-2007, 07:30 PM

Where did you put the second battery?

BHMTitan · 01-06-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

"where/how to get +12V power under the hood?"

Is this a trick question? How about the + battery terminal? If you still have the OEM battery, I think there is an accessory terminal.

Yeah, got the OEM battery, but didn't notice an accessory terminal. Not sure what that is, assuming it'd be a place to easily add connections. Didn't see any. Was wanting something a little cleaner looking that just sticking the wire under the positive terminal screw / bracket.

Had a idea to mount the relay in the small fuse box behind the battery, but still need to power wire connection from somewhere.

bestatchess · 01-06-2007, 07:36 PM

If you look under the plastic cover on the + battery terminal, there is a screw terminal where you can put a ring terminal, IIRC.

I have an Optima which has a separate terminal also, but it is getting cluttered. I just bought a 7 circuit relay activated Cirkit Boss from Painless to make things a little neater.

John Harden · 01-06-2007, 10:44 PM

Sorry, gonna show my ignorance again. What's a ring terminal? Both my positive and negative connections are cluttered up with different wires all going to them.

What's a good way to clean this all up?

bestatchess · 01-09-2007, 12:44 PM

There are a couple of ways to clean things up. You can use a relay controlled device to provide additional circuits on the + battery terminal. Painless makes some called Cirkit Boss that provide 7 additional circuits. They can all be on & off with the ignition, or they have a different model with some ignition switched and some always hot. You need to make sure that the fuse ratings of the additional circuits are adequate for your purposes.

Another way to go is by using distribution blocks, fused for the positive and unfused for the negative. A heavy gauge wire goes to the block from the battery, and then smaller gauge wires to your various circuits. Car audio places on the net have them. They also make a bunch of them for use on boats. Obviously, wire gauge and fuses need to be selected in accordance with the loads of your various circuits.