Installing an accessory fuse box: Difference between revisions
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Yes, it does, but it's not really set up for the use of accessories, or farkles, as they're often called. A new fuse box will allow you to connect other electronic bits such as GPS, radio, or heated gear and have each unit fused individually. This also reduces the possibility of damaging the main fuse box. | Yes, it does, but it's not really set up for the use of accessories, or farkles, as they're often called. A new fuse box will allow you to connect other electronic bits such as GPS, radio, or heated gear and have each unit fused individually. This also reduces the possibility of damaging the main fuse box. | ||
If you have only one or two small accessories, you may consider [[Making your accessory wires 'switched'|modifying your accessory wires]]. | |||
====Defining terms==== | ====Defining terms==== | ||
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Other fuse blocks have only one connection to power; this connection powers all terminals after the main connection receives power (aka common bus). This is what is used in the photos for this article, the Bussman [http://www.bussmann.com/6/BladeFusesandAccessories.html 15600 Series ATC Fuse Panel]. This is still relatively easy to wire up, looks 'cleaner', and is cheaper. Having someone who knows something about electronics to hold your hand is a good idea if you do this, though. | Other fuse blocks have only one connection to power; this connection powers all terminals after the main connection receives power (aka common bus). This is what is used in the photos for this article, the Bussman [http://www.bussmann.com/6/BladeFusesandAccessories.html 15600 Series ATC Fuse Panel]. This is still relatively easy to wire up, looks 'cleaner', and is cheaper. Having someone who knows something about electronics to hold your hand is a good idea if you do this, though. | ||
This chart shows the difference between the multiple-hot-wire type (on right) and single positive "common bus" type on left. | |||
[[image:721426.gif|150px]] | |||
There are some advanced boxes that let you wire some things hot all the time and have others that only get powered when the key is on. The [http://www.centechwire.com/catalog/panels/ap2.shtml Centech AP2] is one of these. | There are some advanced boxes that let you wire some things hot all the time and have others that only get powered when the key is on. The [http://www.centechwire.com/catalog/panels/ap2.shtml Centech AP2] is one of these. | ||
Finally, if you're scared about hooking everything up (you don't really need to be) the [http://www.fuzeblocks.com/index.php?pid=1#board Fuzeblocks FZ-1] comes with an internal relay, constant or switched power choices, and only needs a few connections. | Finally, if you're scared about hooking everything up (you don't really need to be) the [http://www.fuzeblocks.com/index.php?pid=1#board Fuzeblocks FZ-1] comes with an internal relay, constant or switched power choices, and only needs a few connections. | ||
====Things to buy==== | ====Things to buy==== | ||
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*Several feet of flexible ''stranded'' copper wire. 14 gauge is generally recommended. Positive/hot/+ is usually red. Use a different color for ground (negative). Always use stranded wire in auto/moto applications. Pictures show stranded (left) and solid (right) wire. | *Several feet of flexible ''stranded'' copper wire. 14 gauge is generally recommended. Positive/hot/+ is usually red. Use a different color for ground (negative). Always use stranded wire in auto/moto applications. Pictures show stranded (left) and solid (right) wire. | ||
:[[image:stranded wire.JPG|80px]] [[Image:solid wire.JPG|80px]] | :[[image:stranded wire.JPG|80px]] [[Image:solid wire 2.JPG|80px]] | ||
*Crimp connectors | *Crimp connectors | ||
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====Hooking it up==== | ====Hooking it up==== | ||
[[image: | [[image:722202.gif|150px]] | ||
First, wire up the relay. Why a relay? With [[How do relays work?|a relay]], you use the OEM wiring to power the relay, and then put in new wiring for the fuse box. The relay uses a small amount of power (the horn circuit) to turn on and off a bigger amount of power (the new heavier wire) to the new box. This is true for bigger headlights or any other higher-current-draw accessories you want to add to your motorcycle. | First, wire up the relay. Why a relay? With [[How do relays work?|a relay]], you use the OEM wiring to power the relay, and then put in new wiring for the fuse box. The relay uses a small amount of power (the horn circuit) to turn on and off a bigger amount of power (the new heavier wire) to the new box. This is true for bigger headlights or any other higher-current-draw accessories you want to add to your motorcycle. | ||
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The Buss doesn't provide a 'ground' terminal on their unit. So, you can add a ground post (lower right corner) to compliment the power lead. This is not strictly necessary, but it does make the install safer and cleaner. For your accessories, you ''could'' ground them all at different locations around the bike. By putting a ground post on the Bussman you can run hot and ground leads to each device next to each other at the same time, and have them both hook to the fuse box. | The Buss doesn't provide a 'ground' terminal on their unit. So, you can add a ground post (lower right corner) to compliment the power lead. This is not strictly necessary, but it does make the install safer and cleaner. For your accessories, you ''could'' ground them all at different locations around the bike. By putting a ground post on the Bussman you can run hot and ground leads to each device next to each other at the same time, and have them both hook to the fuse box. | ||
[[image:buss-3.jpg|100px]] | |||
To add your grounding post, find a location on your fuse box that will be easy to access and where the bolt won't get in the way of anything. In the example here, the grounding post is in the lower right hand corner. Drill a hole in the plastic that is just large enough for the bolt to pass through. Feed the bolt through from the back side, so the head of the bolt is on the back side of the fuse box, and secure with one of the [http://www.nylok.com/products_torqpatch.htm Nylok] lock nuts on the front side. You want the long end of the bolt sticking out, so you can add your individual grounds later. | |||
After you mount the fuse block to the bike, put a wire going from this post back to the negative terminal on the battery and secure it with a [http://www.boltdepot.com/K-Lock-Nuts.aspx k-nut]. You can then put all of the accessory ground leads on this post. You can put a couple of accessory leads between k-nuts, assuming the wires don't break from extreme mounting angles. | After you mount the fuse block to the bike, put a wire going from this post back to the negative terminal on the battery and secure it with a [http://www.boltdepot.com/K-Lock-Nuts.aspx k-nut]. You can then put all of the accessory ground leads on this post. You can put a couple of accessory leads between k-nuts, assuming the wires don't break from extreme mounting angles. | ||
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Add additional k-nuts as needed (keeping only about 2 ground leads per k-nut) and top it all off with a nylok. | Add additional k-nuts as needed (keeping only about 2 ground leads per k-nut) and top it all off with a nylok. | ||
Connect the positive lead from the relay (pin 87) to the positive terminal on the Bussman (red wire). | Connect the positive lead from the relay (pin 87) to the positive terminal on the Bussman (red wire). | ||
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[[image:buss-4.jpg|100px]] | [[image:buss-4.jpg|100px]] | ||
Sealing the heat shrink connectors with a small torch | Sealing the heat shrink connectors with a small torch - '''DON'T'''. Lighters and other open flames aren't good around gasoline engines. Use a heat gun. | ||
[[image:buss-5.jpg|120px]] | [[image:buss-5.jpg|120px]] | ||
Next comes the fun part: cutting into the wiring harness at the OEM fuse block. If this makes you nervous, you might want to use [http://www.allpar.com/reviews/other/posi-tap.html Posi-Tap] connectors from [http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html Posi-Lock]. [http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/posi-tap/posi-tap.htm webBikeWorld | Next comes the fun part: cutting into the wiring harness at the OEM fuse block. If this makes you nervous, you might want to use [http://www.allpar.com/reviews/other/posi-tap.html Posi-Tap] connectors from [http://www.posi-lock.com/posiplug.html Posi-Lock]. There is a review in [http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/posi-tap/posi-tap.htm webBikeWorld]. | ||
Consult the [[Wiring schematics & diagrams|schematic]] to determine which connection to tap into. Don't use the unused 'accessories' fuse because those two connections are always hot. This also goes for the OEM accessory wires. The horn was the circuit tapped into, since it has minimal draw when not in use. The schematic showed the wire needed to tap was the lower harness brown/white wire. Double-check this by [[Testing a wire|testing the voltage]], then pulling the fuse. | Consult the [[Wiring schematics & diagrams|schematic]] to determine which connection to tap into. Don't use the unused 'accessories' fuse because those two connections are always hot. This also goes for the OEM accessory wires. The horn was the circuit tapped into, since it has minimal draw when not in use. The schematic showed the wire needed to tap was the lower harness brown/white wire. Double-check this by [[Testing a wire|testing the voltage]], then pulling the fuse. | ||
This is your 'hot' trigger connection, and goes to terminal 85 on the relay. | |||
[[image:buss-7.jpg|100px]] | [[image:buss-7.jpg|100px]] | ||
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====Wiring the accessories==== | ====Wiring the accessories==== | ||
For hooking up farkles, you can use any of several kinds of plugs that make it easy to quickly connect and disconnect accessory power plugs. There are BMW-style, cigarette lighter-style, SAE 2-pin trailer plugs, many other coax types. SAE are common, relatively cheap, and weather resistant. | For hooking up farkles, you can use any of several kinds of plugs that make it easy to quickly connect and disconnect accessory power plugs. There are BMW-style, cigarette lighter-style, SAE 2-pin trailer plugs, and many other coax types. SAE are common, relatively cheap, and weather resistant. | ||
[[image:sae connector.png|150px]] | [[image:sae connector.png|150px]] | ||
The idea behind using these connectors is so you don't have to find your way back to the fusebox every time. Run the accessory leads from the fuse box to a single convenient location, such as under the seat. Use different-colored wire or another foolproof method that can tell you which wire is for which device. | The idea behind using these connectors is so you don't have to find your way back to the fusebox every time you want to unplug something. Run the accessory leads from the fuse box to a single convenient location, such as under the seat. Use different-colored wire or another foolproof method that can tell you which wire is for which device. | ||
On the SAE plugs, there are male and female parts. The female is the one where the power pin is covered. This is shown in the diagram. | On the SAE plugs, there are male and female parts. The female is the one where the power pin is covered. This is shown in the diagram. | ||
[[image: | [[image:722202.gif|150px]] | ||
Crimp female spade connectors onto the female trailer plugs. Connect the power leads to the fuse box male connectors and the grounds to the ground post, with ring connectors. Use the male SAE plugs for the wires to your accessories. | Crimp female spade connectors onto the female trailer plugs. Connect the power leads to the fuse box male connectors and the grounds to the ground post, with ring connectors. Use the male SAE plugs for the wires to your accessories. | ||