Installing an accessory fuse box: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Electrical & Lighting]]

This is currently not visible to the general public, so make as many notations as you'd like. My comments or questions are in '''''bold italics'''''

'''''I still need to insert woot's comments about the trailer-hitch connectors.'''''

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[[image:buss-6.jpg|150px]]

====Hooking it up====

For the purposes of this article, we will be following the installation of the Bussman 15600. If you are using one of the Eastern Beaver units, hook the relay up the same, then [http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/Fuseboxes/FB-4/Install/install.html follow their directions]. Mounting will be virtually the same as with the Bussman.

~~'''''Does it need to be spelled out where to route everything?'''''~~

***In FAQ yes. 'Do this. Do that.' gives them less room for doubtand makes sure they get it right. It also reduces forum questions :)

~~'''''Should finding a suitable location for all components be mentioned ''before'' the wiring?'''''~~

***That's how Michael did it. I was going by Brian's philosophy of making sure it works before you mount anything, but in order to understand where all the wiring goes, I think I'll do what you suggest, and just tell them to not make anything permanent until it works.

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'''''kinda like this, version 2'''''

[[image:aux fuse box diagram-3.gif|150px]]

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

First, wire up the relay. ~~Do this before you install it, so you don't have to take stuff apart if it doesn't work.~~

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.

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.

'''Relay terminals'''

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====Installation of the Bussman box====

~~========WIRING========~~

The Buss doesn't provide a 'ground' terminal on their unit. So, you can add a ground post (lower right corner) to compliment the power lead. '''''Do this by blah, blah, blah.... '''''

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[[image:buss-4.jpg|100px]]

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

[[image:buss-5.jpg|120px]]

Next comes the fun part: cutting into the wiring harness at the OEM fuse block. 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 voltage outside the sheath, then pulling the fuse.

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'''''>>Ryan - The sheath is the plastic coating covering the wire strands and is also known as "insulator".'''''

'''''Ok, obviously I've never used a multimeter. Is there a way to test voltage on a wire that isn't bare?'''''

[[image:buss-7.jpg|100px]]

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[[image:buss-9.jpg|150px]]

~~'''''We still need to discuss where to run the grounds for individual accessories.'''''~~

'''''>>Ryan - With the Bussman, all negative leads from the accessories are connected via ring terminals to the grounding post that was installed in the lower right hand corner. Two ground connections are visible in the following picture.'''''

The final product. Two accessories are already hooked up, with the 5 and 10 amp fuses. Two more are pre-wired for future farkles.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Electrical & Lighting]]
 This is currently not visible to the general public, so make as many notations as you'd like. My comments or questions are in '''''bold italics'''''
+'''''I still need to insert woot's comments about the trailer-hitch connectors.'''''
@@ Line 77: / Line 79: @@
 [[image:buss-6.jpg|150px]]
 ====Hooking it up====
 For the purposes of this article, we will be following the installation of the Bussman 15600. If you are using one of the Eastern Beaver units, hook the relay up the same, then [http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/Fuseboxes/FB-4/Install/install.html follow their directions]. Mounting will be virtually the same as with the Bussman.
-'''''Does it need to be spelled out where to route everything?'''''
-***In FAQ yes. 'Do this. Do that.' gives them less room for doubtand makes sure they get it right. It also reduces forum questions :)
-'''''Should finding a suitable location for all components be mentioned ''before'' the wiring?'''''
-***That's how Michael did it. I was going by Brian's philosophy of making sure it works before you mount anything, but in order to understand where all the wiring goes, I think I'll do what you suggest, and just tell them to not make anything permanent until it works.
@@ Line 104: / Line 91: @@
 '''''kinda like this, version 2'''''
-[[image:aux fuse box diagram-3.gif|150px]]
+[[image:aux fuse box diagram-4.gif|150px]]
-First, wire up the relay. Do this before you install it, so you don't have to take stuff apart if it doesn't work.
+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.
-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.
 '''Relay terminals'''
@@ Line 135: / Line 120: @@
 ====Installation of the Bussman box====
-========WIRING========
 The Buss doesn't provide a 'ground' terminal on their unit. So, you can add a ground post (lower right corner) to compliment the power lead. '''''Do this by blah, blah, blah.... '''''
@@ Line 153: / Line 136: @@
 [[image:buss-4.jpg|100px]]
 Sealing the heat shrink connectors with a small torch, instead of the usual butane lighter.
 [[image:buss-5.jpg|120px]]
 Next comes the fun part: cutting into the wiring harness at the OEM fuse block. 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 voltage outside the sheath, then pulling the fuse.
@@ Line 169: / Line 146: @@
 '''''>>Ryan - The sheath is the plastic coating covering the wire strands and is also known as "insulator".'''''
+'''''Ok, obviously I've never used a multimeter. Is there a way to test voltage on a wire that isn't bare?'''''
 [[image:buss-7.jpg|100px]]
@@ Line 174: / Line 153: @@
 [[image:buss-9.jpg|150px]]
-'''''We still need to discuss where to run the grounds for individual accessories.'''''
+'''''>>Ryan - With the Bussman, all negative leads from the accessories are connected via ring terminals to the grounding post that was installed in the lower right hand corner. Two ground connections are visible in the following picture.'''''
-'''''>>Ryan - With the Bussman, all negative leads from the accessories are connected via ring terminals to the grounding post that was installed in the lower right hand corner.  Two ground connections are visible in the following picture.'''''
 The final product. Two accessories are already hooked up, with the 5 and 10 amp fuses. Two more are pre-wired for future farkles.