Accessory add on fuse tap frustration

glennmann

Aug 08, 2024

I have added sets of Rigid lights and upgraded sound with Kicker speakers and Alpine amp to my 21 Bronco Base. After throughly researching 12v switched sources (switched so not to continuously drain the battery) on the web, you tube and forums, it seems there’s only one switched fuse slot that can accommodate a 30a load. It’s on the under dash fuse panel slot number 35. That one is not used for an existing need and available to use for the lights or amp or whatever (but not all if the amp is drawing the max 30a which mine is). As far as I know, there is not another available fuse tap source in either the engine bay fuse box or under dash fuse box that is switched and not used that can handle a 30a fuse. I ended up connecting everything to fuse slot 35 hoping it won’t blow. I don’t plan to max out lights and stereo volume at the same time so maybe I can get by with it. Can anyone share some insight? I do not have the auxiliary switch set up.

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Aug 08, 2024

I use an external fuse block and have the power on that fuse block turn on/off with a relay.

My personal favorite relay is the one used for the 360 camera image processing module, which is accessible from the engine bay. (Forgot which fuse number it was.)

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon
Instagram: @ragnar.kon

Aug 25, 2024

I've heard relay referenced in creating an "on/off" circuit switch when linking into an aways on 12v source. I'm not knowledgeable as to how that works. Do I simply wire in a relay into the live circuit and it works magically to break the circuit when the Bronco is turned off ? (I'm sure there's more to it than that, lol). Also, what type of relay and specs? Where do you get one. Do tell anyone.

Aug 25, 2024

Relays are effectively light switches. But instead of being controlled by something mechanical (like your fingers), it’s controlled by an electrical signal.

The most basic relay (often called a 4-pole relay) has 4 terminals:

Ground
From 12 volt source
To 12 volt load
Switch Signal

If you want to turn on the relay, you feed the signal wire 12 volts. That will turn on the relay and allow current to flow from the source (the battery) to the load. You feed the signal wire 0 volts and it will turn off the relay and cut power.

Relays are rated by the amount of current they can handle. And you can buy them at pretty much any automotive or electronics store.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon
Instagram: @ragnar.kon

UserError, Umichigan

Aug 29, 2024

I get the concept you described. So the “switch” on the relay still requires a source that goes on and off with the accessories to trigger the relayed circuit to go off and on. Essentially, then, you are creating another switched channel to access if needed. Is that correct?

Aug 30, 2024

glennmann
I get the concept you described. So the “switch” on the relay still requires a source that goes on and off with the accessories to trigger the relayed circuit to go off and on. Essentially, then, you are creating another switched channel to access if needed. Is that correct?

Correct.

The big advantage is that the switch signal on the typical relay only requires milliamps of current to operate, so you can almost always safely trigger a relay from another pre-existing circuit in the Bronco without having to worry about overloading that circuit. That is far safer than trying to power a device directly from that same circuit.

2022 4dr Badlands, 2.3L Manual, Mid pkg
YouTube: youtube.com/@ragnarkon
Instagram: @ragnar.kon

Aug 30, 2024

Got it.

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