Under Dash Locations for Aux. Fuse/Distribution Box?

[randywebb]

I am thinking of mounting a BlueSea or similar fuse box under the dash somewhere to hold fuses for a power cable run from my aux. (house) battery for stereo, 12 V DC socket(s), and cabin illumination, etc.

I've been searching all the aux. battery threads but have not found any thing yet.

Any pics of what you put & where? Thx
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[chimivee]

[randywebb]

I'm trying to put a Blue Sea fuse box there, but I'm not sure what I can screw it to.

If I use the sheet metal farthest forward, won't the screws stick out into the outside of the vehicle, inviting rust, and wind/rain penetration?
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[ragnarhairybreeks]

My (a little messy) install and diagram is here

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/vanagon-my-auxiliary-battery-wiring/

Older model Blue Seas ACR used.

alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

[randywebb]

Thanks but my underseat areas are already taken.

I'm looking for ways to mount the fuse box under the dash but w/o penetrating the outer body shell
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[brownbear1985]

[Red Ryder]

I placed mine behind the glovebox at the far right corner. Held in place with 3M double-sided adhesive pads available from Amazon. No screws needed. 8 ga power supply wire runs from positive battery terminal under carpet on passenger side to fuse block.
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition (Tornado Red)
“Nigel” — 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible (Alpine Green Metallic)

[vanagonjr]

[Red Ryder]

[jimf909]

I added a bussbar under the heater vent cover. There should be space for a fuse box there.

_________________
- Jim

[vanagonjr]

[Red Ryder]

The problem with locating an aux fuse box under the seat is that you will also have to run wiring for any added accessory to that location as well. Much easier to run wiring behind the glovebox and dash.
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition (Tornado Red)
“Nigel” — 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible (Alpine Green Metallic)

[vanagonjr]

[Red Ryder]

Well that does make it easy to access 12v power from the aux battery for your fuse box. If your only intended accessory uses are to the rear, then locating it under the passenger seat makes sense. Just remember form should follow function.
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition (Tornado Red)
“Nigel” — 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible (Alpine Green Metallic)

[DuncanS]

An embarrassing shot as it was before the wiring was cleaned up and the plastic put back on. The top 3 are a 30 circuit designation and the bottom 5 a 15 circuit. The 15s, like all my key on circuits, go through a relay so the ignition switch sees only coil draws.

The steering column plastic and the heat duct cover come very close to the panel, so it looks like it belongs there and the wires are shorter than any other location I could think of.

I'll try to post a clean picture of what it looks like now.

Duncan

[brownbear1985]

[chimivee]

Nice set up!

Apologies for never replying to you (but in my defense, the question did come ~9 years later, HAHA!)

But for what it's worth I think I used zip ties and maybe a bit of foam to cushion corners. Has been solid for 10+ years.
_________________
-James
86 Syncro Westy, etc