[MTDIRK]

I bought a 6 switch fuse panel that I would like to mount in the jeep and don't know where to mount it:
http://bluesea.com/category/5/20/products/8053

Anyone have any tips or pics of where to mount it? I am thinking either buying one of those overhead consoles that go between windshield and rollbar or sacrificing the cup holders in my tuffy center console. I am not crazy about either location as I like the cupholders and I am afraid of banging my head on the overhead console. I would also consider trimming the label portion of the plate and making it narrower and mounting next to parking brake in the tuffy console. I think it needs about 2" of depth. Has anyone cut up a tuffy console to mount a switch? Just curious if I try and cut a hole in it if it will become really flimsy.

 

[chaz187]

 

[KaiserJeep]

Dirk, that panel you picked is a bit large, although it is high quality stuff like all BSS products. My suggestion is to mount the switches atop the dash like this:

Which costs about $25: http://www.quadratec.com/products/12500_201.htm

Then mount the fuses nearby using something like a Bussmann fuse block:

Which is less than $15 and comes in 6/8/10/16-circuit sizes, and can be found in most auto parts stores or online. Run one fat supply wire from your battery to the large stud, then a single small 12v fused supply wire for each circuit from the fuse block to each switch, then run the switched/fused 12v to the accessory, and ground the accessory nearby. You energize each circuit by plugging in a standard ATC fuse or circuit breaker. If you have any very large current accessories, use the switch to pull a relay and use a large sized inline fuse for the accessory.

 

[bojang]

One place that is available, but is often overlooked I think is the plastic piece above the rear view mirror. There is room behind it, if you use relays, you can get wiring from home depot for yard lighting that is bound and won't look like ass. That switch panel you have looks HUGE.

 

[erpp]

i'd say a panel that size would fit in the console nicely

 

[inline6]

I thunk you have seen where I mounted mine, 4 of them will fit in the change area of the Tuffy console. The other 2 could fit on the face.

To me the location will really depend on what they are used for and when you need to reach them.

 

['05TJLWBRUBY]

One place that is available, but is often overlooked I think is the plastic piece above the rear view mirror. There is room behind it, if you use relays, you can get wiring from home depot for yard lighting that is bound and won't look like ass. That switch panel you have looks HUGE.

X2 I don't know if your new switch panel (which looks way cool by the way, and could be beneficial in my rig as well) is small enough to fit there, or could be trimmed to fit, but I've often thought a lot lately about that spot as well. I think it's SPod who uses that space. I've toyed with the SPod idea as well as I'm getting and about to have a few more items in the Jeep that will require more switches. That spot looks VERY tempting and would be easy to hide all the wires. It's up out of the way, doesn't require the overhead console bars that are a head-banger off-road and can be done very clean without too much hassle. Just a thought.

Inline-do you have any pics of your setup? I don't recall last time I saw your rig how it looked.

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

[inline6]

I bought a very similar setup from boaters world a few years ago. It started as a 6 position panel just like that one. The main difference is it has circuit breakers instead of fuses.

I cut it down and mounted 4 of the switches in the change area of the upper console. Then I also mounted 3 other switches in the console.

It looks like this:

Underside

Installed

On the installed pic, you will notice i changed out the switches for smaller switches to control the lockers. I also added LEDs to know when the locker switches were on. I would say that after adding the LEDs, they are not worth the extra effort. The dash indicators work just fine to tell you when the switches are on. The wiring, FWIW.

Things I have noticed about the switches in this location. The upper 4th switch is a bit hard to get to, but you can get to it. I do not use these switches to get to anything I need quickly. I need to take my eyes off the road/trail to get to the upper switches. I can feel down there, but it is a stretch, I am taller as well.

I use the switches for my second battery relay, rock lights, work lights and the 4th switch is open. I also use the locker switches as well. I need to rewire the winch switch to work with the Warn winch. My old winch had the simple wiring that warn does not, have not had time to get it all set up and figure out the wires. I also have a wireless controller for it now, so it may never get done. The Key was used to lock out the winch, it controlled the ground to the winch so the key needed to be on for the winch to work.

I like the idea of switches overhead as well. I think in the Rockhard overhead center section would be a great place to put them. I have been thinking about how to use the wasted space on the panel over my head. Not sure if you have one of those MTDirk.

I also remote mounted relays to control higher amp items as well. I just built a panel and installed it behind the battery, when the battery was in a different place.

So, kinda a hijack, but hope this helps.


I like the idea of switches overhead as well. I think in the Rockhard overhead center section would be a great place to put them. I have been thinking about how to use the wasted space on the panel over my head. Not sure if you have one of those MTDirk.

When I need more switches, that is where mine might go.

 

[MTDIRK]

Inline 6 thanks for the hijack that is what I was thinking too. I have my CB mounted over the mirror on a bar that goes from side to side using door surround holes/mounts. I have considered putting the switch up there as it will be a great spot to incorporate into a future full custom roll cage. Did your tuffy console stay solid after you cut the holes in it? I really like the idea of putting them in the console but don't want to ruin the console in the process. Also did you trim your switch panel? How well did it hold up after trimming?

Mike the Spod is cool but the price is unreasonable in my opinion.

 

[inline6]

For the console, I only cut the holes for the winch stuff and locker switches and LEDs. I did not see an impact to the strength of the console. If you only put them in the coin holder area, you are not changing any aspect of the initial design.

My switch panel was set up for 6 switches as well. As for cutting it, no issues there. I just found the center point between switch 4 and 5 and made the cut. I could of cut more off the bottom to make it centered on the console, but then it would not fit as well. You can see that in the pics. It could of been more centered in the hole, but IIRC it would not of fit as well. I should of painted it all black after I cut it, next time I tear it out.

When you do this, make sure to run all wires to a central distribution area. Even for the switches you do not have a use for yet. That way when you want to hook one up, you just get to the wire in an easy area. This is shown in the pic of the engine compartment above, the white starboard and relay center.

For reference, the switches in my Dodge. The wiring block is connected to all the switches, so I do not need to tear it all apart again. I only have 2 of these 3 switches wired, not sure what to do with the 3rd switch yet. Hmmm, I do need another project....

 

['05TJLWBRUBY]

Dirk-

That's exactly why I don't have it...

Inline-Great pics, Thanks for the info there. Now if I only knew how to wire all that up as nice as you do...

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

[inline6]

Thanks Mike. Now if I could weld like you.

The wiring did look better at one time. But I did need to swap wires around and messed up the lines. Wire it once, plan for the future.