Electrical question- 12v constant source power 'block'

[niSm095]

I couldn't find anything that helped...is there anything like an engine bay power block that you would wire accessories to in line with the battery (i.e. audio stuff)that you could use inside the car for wiring up multiple gauges and things like an SAFC to rather than splicing each '12v constant source' wire into something like the cigarette lighter, or stereo wiring?

hopefully that makes sense...

[S-Nation S13]

lol...i made on its is hooked up to my +terminal so it is hot all the time but in order to use you have to put/use fuse to complete circuit...lol i jusr took a fuse box from a 240sx in the junk yard wired half of the wires to a 8 guage audio wire...and then like i said befor i inserted a fuse to connect/complete the circuit...i run my altima fans as well as my fogs..

pm me if you want to see pics

[g6civcx]

is there anything like an engine bay power block that you would wire accessories to in line with the battery (i.e. audio stuff)that you could use inside the car for wiring up multiple gauges and things like an SAFC to rather than splicing each '12v constant source' wire into something like the cigarette lighter, or stereo wiring?

The short answer is no. Nissan does not provide us with factory provisions like some other manufacturers, e.g. Honda.

Your question is confusing. Are you looking for constant power? Gauges and SAFC can require constant power, switched power, and lighting. What do you want to wire?

[Skullavera]

I couldn't find anything that helped...is there anything like an engine bay power block that you would wire accessories to in line with the battery (i.e. audio stuff)that you could use inside the car for wiring up multiple gauges and things like an SAFC to rather than splicing each '12v constant source' wire into something like the cigarette lighter, or stereo wiring?

hopefully that makes sense...

I understood you. What you want to do is wire in a distributor block under your dash (or wherever) so that when you do install gauges and accessories, you merely just tap into the power source rather than have to completely rewire the system. I've done this to my car and it's great! This is how I did it:

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h247/silver240esex/AccessoryWiring.jpg

I used a Fused block with multiple fuses so I can draw power from there for my stereo, radar detector, etc. and have the distributor block for my gauges, which I still need to install lol. It works well and I have no problems. Just make sure you run a wire from the battery to the fused block that can handle the current draw. Accessories usually don't draw much current though.

[johngriff]

Almost all autoparts stores carry fused distribution blocks. Splice in one large gauge 12 v wire onto the block, then insert fuses for the channels you need, and hook up your new lead wire with a crimped spade.

[g6civcx]

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h247/silver240esex/AccessoryWiring.jpg


Switch pins 87 and 30, and put a fuse on the wire going to pin 85.

[niSm095]

Skullavera - thanks for the diagram that definately helps, also good to see other people have done this too. My problem now, I'm a real visual person. If you have any pictures of your setup that would help me immensely.

g6civic - sorry for the confusion - I want a setup that can provide constant/switched and if necessary lighting for a boost gauge, oil pressue gauge and SAFC (wideband in the future too). I hope that helps a little.

A couple things on the diagram - the 'relay' is that the relay box under the hood? and the numbers the size of the relays?

[TanaMU]

I have a power distribution block like the one above, where it has about 8 different.. 'channels' to it. Half of it is always hot, the other half runs off a relay that is powered on by the key. It works real great, really keeps things simple. I got it at radio shack.

[niSm095]

sorry for the confusion, electrical isn't really my area, so I'll take all the help I can get here.

[niSm095]

thats what I want ideally Tana, something that cuts on when the car cuts on.

[S-Nation S13]

i have one nismo ill get pics of it when it stops raining here in cali..lol thats the only down fall i have to wrap the thing in plastic cause of the water :( but besides thats its a great tool to have cause if you run switches you have the power next to battery and run you grounds through the fire wall (so if it "shorts: itself out using the ground ....AT LEAST YOUR electrical system WONT SHORT ITSELF OUT...) dummy proof

[niSm095]

doesnt sound like a bad idea, i'd like to make it as simple as possible, so anyone that can help...it's appreciated.

[Jung918]

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?cPath=4_146&products_id=5255

[niSm095]

Jung- thanks a lot! that thing looks perfect. Okay everyone, what else and how would I need to do it to make that work? That seems like it probably simplifies Skullavera's diagram?

[niSm095]

anybody else have pictures or ideas?

[niSm095]

Also, Skullavera - are you saying to wire things to the ignition relay under the hood?

[Jung918]

do you want this a constant source of power or to turn on when you turn the key on?

[niSm095]

they need to turn on with the car.

[johngriff]

then you need a relay setup off a remote wire like the stereo.

[xkamikazestormx]

use a relay and use your IGN ON as your signal wire.

[niSm095]

kamaikaze, i get what youre saying, which relay do i use? an existing one or do i just put a new one in the fuse box?

[JVD]

kamaikaze, i get what youre saying, which relay do i use? an existing one or do i just put a new one in the fuse box?
Buy a new one and mount it wherever you want. The bosch relays I use have a little hole for a bolt to go through. Mount it to the firewall or something...

[xkamikazestormx]

just buy a 30A 5 pin relay.

pin 30- battery with a inline fuse (use a low AWG wire if you plan on using a lot of sources off of it)

pin 85- ignition ON (black w/ white wire at the ign switch)

pin 86 - any ground

pin 87- to a distribution block

this way, the relay and all the acc at the distribution block will only be on when the ignition is on. when its off, there is no power going to them.

[niSm095]

kamikaze - thanks again for the help. That clears it up for me. One final question, where do I tap into the ignition? From the fuse box under the hood?

[niSm095]

or would it be easier, as someone stated above, to just use the power wire for the stereo? (I don't have a radio, but the harness is still in there)

[Jung918]

there is a constant and a acc (switched) wire for the radio.
connect the relay to the acc

1991-92 Nissan 240 SX Stereo Information

Constant 12V+ Red/Black
Switched 12V+ Blue
Ground Chassis
Illumination Red/Blue
Dimmer Red/Yellow
Antenna Left Rear
Front Speakers 4" x 6" Doors
Left Front (+) Blue/White
Left Front (-) Blue/Yellow
Right Front (+) Brown
Right Front (-) Brown/White
Rear Speakers 6 1/2" Rear Deck
Left Rear (+) Red
Left Rear (-) Green
Right Rear (+) Blue
Right Rear (-) Pink

[ANVIL]

get one of these fuse adapters
http://news.thomasnet.com/images/large/452/452713.jpg

plug into ur acc fuse. then has a spot for that fuse, and a fuse to protect whatever you are wiring up just run the wire to that.

[xkamikazestormx]

or would it be easier, as someone stated above, to just use the power wire for the stereo? (I don't have a radio, but the harness is still in there)

i would prefer it to have it turned on with ign on rather than acc (my personal preference).

there is a black w/ white wire right at the ignition switch and thats ign on. if you have a volt meter you can double check

[Skullavera]

That's a good idea. It keeps wiring fairly simple and you don't need to splice anything. I did mine a more complicated way but that's just me. Jung's way will work just as good. I'll try to take pics but all my wiring is under my dash (I have no heater blower, etc) so I had plenty of room to work with. Wherever you decide to mount your relays and distributor box is up to you. It would make more sense to me to mount it under the dash if it's for gauges. I'm going to lunch now so I'll check back w/you later.

[niSm095]

i would prefer it to have it turned on with ign on rather than acc (my personal preference).

there is a black w/ white wire right at the ignition switch and thats ign on. if you have a volt meter you can double check

If I connected the relay to the 'constant' from the stereo wiring harness, would I achieve the same effect though? If so, I think I'd rather do that just for the ease of connection since the middle of my dash is just a big hole where the radio should be.

[xkamikazestormx]

you dont want to wire it to constant. thatll have 12v running to it whether you have the car off or on.

so you would have to wire it to acc. its just my personal preference that i dont want it on during acc mode. so you can actually wire it to any kind of switched source

[Skullavera]

Remember, the wire you're talking about wiring is the one that will give the signal to the relay to complete the circuit from the constant positive lead to the distribution block.

[niSm095]

ah...okay. I got it. I'm going to try this out thursday, will pst my results

[eye-5]

Bringing it back! I'm wiring up gauges as well, I've got the ignition switch under contol. I am just wondering where to tap into the lighs so the guages illuminate with the lights. Would the radio illumination work?

[xkamikazestormx]

radio illumination