Installing an accessory fuse box - Revision history

Bokonon: /* Installation of the Bussman box */

2016-03-10T22:58:08Z

Installation of the Bussman box

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 10 March 2016
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	[[image:buss-4.jpg\|100px]]		[[image:buss-4.jpg\|100px]]

	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.		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]]

Bokonon: /* Installation of the Bussman box */

2016-03-10T22:57:32Z

Installation of the Bussman box

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:57, 10 March 2016
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	[[image:buss-4.jpg\|100px]]		[[image:buss-4.jpg\|100px]]

	Sealing the heat shrink connectors with a small torch~~, instead of the usual butane lighter~~.		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]]

Bokonon: /* Why? My bike already has a fuse box */

2010-05-25T08:22:03Z

Why? My bike already has a fuse box

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:22, 25 May 2010
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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====

Bokonon: /* Things to buy */

2009-06-23T13:16:33Z

Things to buy

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:16, 23 June 2009
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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

Bokonon: /* Wiring the accessories */

2008-12-11T22:33:46Z

Wiring the accessories

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 11 December 2008
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	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:~~aux fuse box diagram-4~~.gif\|150px]]		[[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.

Bokonon: /* Hooking it up */

2008-12-11T22:33:17Z

Hooking it up

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 11 December 2008
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	====Hooking it up====		====Hooking it up====

	[[image:~~aux fuse box diagram-4~~.gif\|150px]]		[[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.

Bokonon: /* What kinds of boxes are there? */

2008-12-10T00:14:18Z

What kinds of boxes are there?

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:14, 9 December 2008
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	This chart shows the difference between the multiple-hot-wire type (on right) and single positive "common bus" type on left.		This chart shows the difference between the multiple-hot-wire type (on right) and single positive "common bus" type on left.

	[[image:721426.gif\|~~150ps~~]]		[[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.

Bokonon: /* What kinds of boxes are there? */

2008-12-10T00:13:13Z

What kinds of boxes are there?

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 9 December 2008
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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\|150ps]]

	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====

Bokonon: /* Wiring the accessories */

2008-12-09T07:16:27Z

Wiring the accessories

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:16, 9 December 2008
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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.

Bokonon: /* Installation of the Bussman box */

2008-12-09T07:10:03Z

Installation of the Bussman box

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:10, 9 December 2008
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	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]]