I am planning on moving all my switches to my center console/armrest. I want everything running through one "main" switch and then everything else on its own switch. Heres what I'm running, theres a possibility it will all be on at once, but probably not. Fog lights, 4 110W KC's running on 2 switches (probably with a relay), CB and a scanner running through one switch, 150 Watt power inverter, back up lights, and bed lights.

I want one wire running from the battery to the console. What gauge wire should I use? and what should I use for an inline fuse?

Is there a name for these type of switches? I looked at radio shack and couldn't find them.

 

You won't find a rocker switch to handle all that load .
To control that with one switch you'll need 3 relays . The KC's alone will draw 37 amps.

Let's see
Fogs at 55w - 10 a
KC's -37 a
CB ~3 a
scanner ~3a
inveter ~12.5a
Backup lts ~5a
bed lts ~5a


=75.5 amps

That is approximate . Your current may vary.

 

I would run relays for all those things just to be safe. I'm intrested in this as well so post up what you figure out.

 

Well as for right now. I have 2 KC's, fogs, the power interter all running just through a switch, with no relay. My CB is running through the cigarette lighter. The lights I want to put in the bed are some LED light bars, that you would put under the dash in a ricer, so I dont think I will need a relay for them.

Like I said I dont think all will be on an once. All the lights will more then likely be run through relays.

I got a second console from a JY (spilting my hand open on glass in the process). Myt new CB and scanner should be here by friday. It will all come together on sunday. I just need the switches.

 

I'm suprised you haven't burnt up your wiring with just the KCs, those pull a ton of amps to just be running on a switch, thats really unsafe.

 

i had my two small driving lights behind my grill hooked up to a switch with no relay... guess what happened? the switch started smoking!

since then I have installed a relay and a new switch and the switch stays cold at all times, no more heating up like it used to.

be safe dude, my dash could have caught fire. the relays are like a few bucks and JYs will give them to you free. Definitely worth the peace of mind knowing your truck wont go up in smoke lol

 

Well they came as a kit and they didn't have a relay with them so I figured it would be fine. I have never had a problem with them. They arn't real KC's they are Pilot's.

 

I would say thats a problem with the switch. When I bought my switches I looked for ones that could handle the load plus some.

 

Oh I thought they were KCs. I don't know i just like going that extra measure for safety. Better safe than sorry in my book.

 

yea mine was a whole kit and the switch still blew up. the relay wiring guide on here really helps hook the relay up... takes like 5 minutes and its well worth it!

 

You could run a fusible link or Maxi Fuse off battery connected to 6 gauge or larger cable. Run to firewall and connect to old style ford starter relay. Connect other side to an auxiliary fuse block. From fuse block run individual power leads to component relays as needed. Connect your main power switch to the starter relay control circuit. Connect your other switches to the individual component relays control circuits as needed.

 

thats the way to do it. once you add the aux fuse block you have so many spaces to add more electronics plus its easier to replace a fuse than to replace wiring in your truck

you can get some really nice fuse blocks for cheap, heck you could even use one out of a donor car. do it the right way first and you never gotta worry about it again!

 

heres an example for 70 bucks from summit to run 7 circuits off:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

It can't get any easier than that!!

 

Run yourself a 8AWG power wire off the battery to a aux fuse block like I did in my Bronco II. Then from there use the wiring diagram I post below. You can get the fuse block from www.genuinedealz.com also.

Fuse Block:


Wiring Diagram for a Master Switch:


Just make sure the accessories you put on the other 3 switches do NOT exceed 30A or whatever the fuse you put supplying the relay. If they will, then add a second relay for them and have the first relay trigger the second.