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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*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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[[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]] | ||
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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: | [[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. | ||