I have a few accessories that I'd like to start adding to the jeep.
I bought a water proof fuse box to (on sale @ academy for $20)

What is the best way to wire the fuse box?
Directly from the battery or from another source that is ignition controlled?

 

What I would do, is this...

From battery to relay to fuse box.
Then, also from the relay to an ignition source (such as the cig lighter, or other item that is only on with ignition).

The reason is, if you tap directly from the cig lighter, you may draw too much power through the wires. This would make your entire fuse box work only when the ignition is on, but it would draw the power from the battery.


(edit)
additionally....
if you have some devices you don't want connected to the ignition, then get a separate fuse box, and have it go directly to the battery... though remember, if you leave those things on, it will drain the battery.



(edit, again)
I like the look of those fuse boxes... email me, or PM me a link to the store you got those, if you can... i'm not familiar with academy)

 

how the heck is that thing waterproof, it can't be

 

Sorry, maybe sea worthy was a better term.

You can find it at west marine(westmarine.com)


6-Position Fuse Block with Ground, 3.315"W x 5.23"L x 1.518"H 3733482 5025 Only $41.99 USD

12-Position Fuse Block with Ground, 3.315"W x 6.472"L x 1.518"H 3733490 5026 Only $52.99 USD

Clear insulating cover insulates all conductive parts meeting ABYC/USCG requirements, and color-coding makes determining amperage easy. Tin-plated copper buses and fuse clips give 30A per circuit. Accepts ATO and ATC fast acting blade type fuses and plug-in style circuit breakers.

Max. 100A@32V DC
Write-on labels included

 

Sorry I can't offer any help, but I will be watching this thread for help with the same thing

 

Thanks for your imput, I don't think I'll need anything not linked to the ignition. Max. 100A@32V DC

What size relay do you think I should use?

 

anybody have a suggestion to what size relay I should run? Amps?
and where is the best place to get these higher amp relays

 

Hey Guys. Your fuse block needs to be the first thing after the battery. And it should be as close to the batery as possible. That way everything after that is protected from short circuit. Also, the wire that you use to feed the fuse block hase to be rated to carry the total load of all fuses in the fuse block.

 

I think what you want is a vehicle amplifier wiring kit for your fuse panel. That will provide you with a main fuse feeding your panel (rated for your max draw) and the feed wire. Are you sure you're looking at 100a? That would need a starter solenoid or similar to provide ignition switching for the entire fuse panel. What I would suggest is IF you can split the feed between the two sides of the panel, make one half switched and the ther half constant. That gives you the option to run either source to the device you are wiring.

 

You wouldn't recommend putting a relay in between, so that the whole fusebox is only available when the engine is running?

Granted, it would need to be a very large relay, but the alternative would be to run relays for each device that is being connected. (I guess thats not a bad option either)

But definitely agree, needs to be as short a cable (and thick cable) as possible, close to the battery.