How many new sets of wires through the firewall?

ellisfamilyokc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
OKC
This may be the wrong spot to post this. I broke a heater core tube while trying to disconnect the hoses to do my body lift. So, I need to pull my dash to replace it. While I am there I am going to do some prewiring. How many wires do you guys have going through your firewall?

List so far:

2m Radio
Inverter
Offroad light switches - 3?
OBA
Switch for next mod e-fan
What else?

Thanks!
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Let's see.

I've got 5 extras at current.

Compressor relay
Locker solenoid
Winch in
Winch out
Winch control hot

I'm going to be adding a fan disconnect switch as soon as it gets here. So that'll make 6.
 

mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
How many wires depends on how you are wiring everything up. The explanations below assume you have installed a fuse block and relay block in your engine compartment.

2m Radio: 2 wires for power. I assume your antenna feed is on the roof or rear bumper and doesn't need to pass through the engine compartment. Your 2m rig may draw up to 15 amps, be sure to fuse that feed and get a good ground connection to avoid noise.

Inverter: Assuming the inverter is located in the passenger cabin, you need to run 2 wires of heavy enough gauge to support the inverter load. A 1500 watt inverter will draw 125 amps. That's thick cable like jumper cables, especially if the inverter is towards the rear of the vehicle and the cable distances are longer.

Offroad light switches (3): Assuming these switches are connected to relays and not the lights themselves you need 4 wires. One wire to run 12v to the switches and 3 return wires to control the relays.

OBA: Assuming the compressor is in the engine compartment and controlled by a relay you need one return wire and you tap into the 12v line that powers the offroad switches for this switch as well.

Fan: Same as OBA.
 

metzican

Suspension Lift
Location
Lafaytte, la
I have a fuse block in the engine bay. But I know I have at least 30 wires going through if not more. Most are for switches that go back out to the relay and are very small.
 

ellisfamilyokc

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
OKC
How many wires depends on how you are wiring everything up. The explanations below assume you have installed a fuse block and relay block in your engine compartment.

2m Radio: 2 wires for power. I assume your antenna feed is on the roof or rear bumper and doesn't need to pass through the engine compartment. Your 2m rig may draw up to 15 amps, be sure to fuse that feed and get a good ground connection to avoid noise.

Inverter: Assuming the inverter is located in the passenger cabin, you need to run 2 wires of heavy enough gauge to support the inverter load. A 1500 watt inverter will draw 125 amps. That's thick cable like jumper cables, especially if the inverter is towards the rear of the vehicle and the cable distances are longer.

Offroad light switches (3): Assuming these switches are connected to relays and not the lights themselves you need 4 wires. One wire to run 12v to the switches and 3 return wires to control the relays.

OBA: Assuming the compressor is in the engine compartment and controlled by a relay you need one return wire and you tap into the 12v line that powers the offroad switches for this switch as well.

Fan: Same as OBA.

Good thoughts about only needing one 12v power wire for all the switches going to relays. I have a fuse block under the hood. I need a relay block. I already have the inverter and 2m up and running. I am a little confused on why I would need 2 wires for each of them. Right now 12v power goes back to them and they are grounded nearby.
 

mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
Having a dedicated ground for your radio that goes right to the battery, or very close just helps cut noise down. If you ground your radio to the chassis you may get some interference from the alternator (the famous "whine").

For the inverter, if its big and you are drawing lots of amps I have read that it's better to have its own ground. Using the chassis to ground high-amp loads can cause problems because it can be more than the car can handle.
 

metzican

Suspension Lift
Location
Lafaytte, la
So to go more in detail.

I have:
6 wires for lights. Forward, left, right, rear, backup, fog (6 switches)
10 wires for my DVR (includes 3x camera wires which have 3 wires each)
1 wire for bully dog tuner power
2 wires for CB (dedicated ground)
2 wires for Compressor
2 wires pressure gauge

4 spare wires as of right now

Plus all the wires for the secondary battery. I think its only 3 since I have the battery and secondary fuse box inside otherwise it would be 10+ more.

I'm probably missing some.
 
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