N00b Ham questions

[ginericLC]

I'm going to attempt to use the speaker under the steering wheel as my remote speaker. I don't think it's hooked up right now. I may replace the speaker itself if it's crappy, which it probably is.

Mr. Toyoda put speakers in some weird places if you ask me.

I used those speakers. Clip the capaciter so you get full range. I actually wired both my front lower dash speakers in series to create an 8 ohm load. Check your radio to see what the ohm rating is for speaker output. These speakers work well and since I was using an aftermarket deck they were bypasses anyway.

 

[Hulk]

I have an aux fuse block above my brake cyl in the engine bay. I run all the stuff I want constant power to from it.

I have 3 extra power outlets (Engel Frig, PocketPC, Other toys), CB, Ham radio and one other thing? ( I have a 6 fuse box).

Each item on it's own circuit. The spec on yaseau said it consumes 10Watts of power max.


I ran 10 gauge wire from the fuse block back for the rear power outlets and also for the ham radio. 10 Gauge is rated to carry 14 Amps and this is conservative (don't get sued rating).

I run 8 Gauge from the battery post to the fuse block.

I run 12 -14 gauge for the CB (Can't remember)

If you take the trim off the kickpanel and the floor trim that sits under the dorr when closed, you can run it back easily at the edges so you can have easy acccess. I have all the wires going back on the pass side under the trim (not carpet) and it's no issue.

I find a good ground for stuff in the rear of the truck and connect a lug there to eleiminate ground loops. Need to valiadte with an ohm meter.

Feel free to come over tonight and I'll show you. I should be in the garage putting the Dual filler neck in to finish my subtank install.

Ken, are you going to be around this weekend? I want to come see your wiring and fuse box.

Where did you buy the fuse box? Online? I want to have the parts in hand for my radio install this weekend.

In my 40, I have this fuse box from West Marine (the 6 fuse one), which fixed all my electrical problems. I don't remember it being $43 bucks, though!

 

[Hulk]

Maximum length in feet for car wiring

Wire Gauge Current Load in Amps @ 12 Volts DC
_________4A____ 6 A____ 8 A____10 A__ 12 A____ 15 A____ 20 A____ 50 A
20 AWG__ 26'___ 17'____ 13'
18 AWG__ 37'___ 25'____ 18'____ 15'_____ 12'
16 AWG__ 56'___ 37'____ 28'____ 22'_____ 18'_____ 14'
14 AWG__ 90'___ 60'____ 45'____ 36'_____ 30'_____ 24'_____ 18'
12 AWG__ 143'___95'____ 71'____ 57'_____ 47'_____ 38'_____ 28'
10 AWG__ 227'__ 155'___ 113'___ 90'_____ 75'_____ 60'_____ 45'
8 AWG___ 363'__ 241'___ 181'___ 145'____ 120'____ 96'_____ 72'______ 29'
6 AWG___ 585'__ 390'___ 292'___ 234'____ 194'____ 155'____ 117'_____ 46'
4 AWG___ 925'__ 616'___ 462'___ 370'____ 307'____ 246'____ 185'_____ 74'
2 AWG___ 1515'_ 1009'__ 757'___ 606'____ 503'____ 403'____ 303'_____ 121'
1 AWG___ 1923'_ 1280'__ 961'___ 769'____ 638'____ 511'____ 384'_____ 153'
0 AWG___ 2427'_ 1616'__ 1213'__ 970'____ 805'____ 645'____ 485'_____ 194'

This was so helpful that I made it pretty in Word and saved it as a PDF. Thanks, Brian!

 

[corsair23]

Matt,

Christo sells 2nd fuse boxes (can't remember how much though) that mount to the rear heater as shown in this tech article: 2nd fuse box

I did some searching online on the inline fuse he shows in the picture on the tech article and found NW Power Products website. They have a downloadable catalog that you can peruse to get some good ideas for "stuff".

I have no idea about their prices as I haven't ordered anything from them but the catalog gave me a lot of ideas. My plan is to install the 2nd fuse box as shown in the Slee tech article but I'll be using 4ga to feed it. Probably overkill but 6ga doesn't seem to exist anywhere and 8ga seemed too small based on the chart found on page 30 of the NW Power Products catalog. I forsee powering the CB, power outlets, maybe an inverter, and who knows what else off it so figure I'd plan big just in case

I also found a place online (I like to home shop ) that seems to be good for cable, connections, etc. especially if you can find what you need on close out. They sell a bunch of different manufacturer's stuff like Street Wires. Checkout Mitek Factory Outlet, especially the closeouts. No clue if the pricing is good but I got real tired of driving around looking for what I needed/wanted. If you (or anyone else) orders from them once you get your order ready call them for a shipping quote. The online "store" stated it would be like $93 for shipping . I called and the lady told me the online 'estimator' sucked as it just did a percentage. They boxed up the stuff and UPS ground shipping ended up being $15.

Won't help you with what you want to do for this weekend but just some thoughts for future. I've got all the crap now to do a bling 2nd fuse box install but no time to get it done before Moab so it'll have to wait

 

[Romer]

Matt I'll be home after 4:30 today until about 7:15, drop by. Mine was a cheap fuse block from pepboys I think. It has a 6 power prongs each with a fuse slot.

You have my cell.

Could meet over lunch if you want to.

 

[ginericLC]

This was so helpful that I made it pretty in Word and saved it as a PDF. Thanks, Brian!

Matt,

Put that up on TLCA.org in the Tech Section. Very useful info.

This is the one I use http://12voltguy.com/catalog.0.html3.0.html I bought it at a local Schuck's (Checker,Kragen). I have mine mounted on the DS upper kick panel. I run a fusible link prior to it going the fuse panel.

 

[Romer]

The one I have looks very similar to the one on the left