Blue Sea Systems

8081 DC 5 Position Circuit Breaker Panel - $260

http://www.bluesea.com

 

Prosine 1800 Power Inverter - $1000

http://www.statpower.com/prdlst4.htm

 

 

The third row driver's side storage tray was used as the base for the 12V auxiliary power distribution panel. The tray was modified by drilling power conduit access holes in the base, and a pair of 90-degree angle brackets were bolted to the front and rear sides to provide a mounting platform for the top faceplate. The top is made from 3/16 inch ABS sheet obtained from Tap Plastics, cut to size with your favorite motor tool.

There are two panels mounted to this faceplate, the first being the Blue Sea 8081 breaker panel. The ammeter is attached to the AUX battery input and shows the total current draw up into the panel. The voltmeter is attached to both the main and AUX batteries via a 3 position switch (the middle position is unused) which is part of the 8081 panel. The panel comes with 5 15 amp breakers and is adequate for most applications. However, for this setup, a 30 amp breaker was added to power the roof rack mounted lights (3 pairs of lights: forward, forward wide, and rear). The other four breakers are the stock 15 amp units: one spare, one for electronics, one for added stereo equipment, and one for chargers or a small power inverter.

The second panel used on the tray is the control and monitor panel for the Prosine 1800 power inverter. This panel will turn on/off and monitor the Prosine 1800 inverter power usage via a remote connection to the actual unit. The Prosine 1800 is not powered from this breaker panel as it requires a large gauge direct battery connection.

A large set of power and control lines run from this distribution center area, under the carpet, to the front center console. Secret Tip: Use a plumbers drain snake to run a long, strong, nylon string under the carpet (above the insulating material) first. The length of the line should be double the distance from the power distribution center to the center console. Once the string is in place, use it to pull the wires, one at a time, attached to the center of the string, to the center console. A small cut in the carpet may be needed under the center console to better facilitate cable routing. Since the length of the string is twice as long as it needs to be, only pull the first half through so you can pull the string back to run another set of wires.

email:SubRider

10/16/01