How Did You Distribute Your Power When Wiring Your Truck

[es67chevy]

I am in the middle of rewiring my truck with an 18 circuit Painless kit. I'm trying to think through the best methodology for distributing power from the battery. Instead of overthinking it, I decided to ask the experts. Who on here has dealt with this and has some good clean examples of how you ran your power from the battery? I know I have to get power to the starter, but there's also several separate wires that also need power. I'm also wiring for an amp and its a 4 gauge wire. Did you use some sort of power distribution block? If so, have any pictures of what you used or any advice on what to avoid or what works well?

Thanks!!!

[C10-Driver]

I am certainly no expert but did do all the wiring in my truck. With 18 circuits, I wouldn`t think that you need to worry about distributing your power. IMO, the only extra (or separate) wire from the battery would be for your amp.

I used a factory harness in my truck and when it came time to install power windows, power locks and upgrade my stereo, I ran a large gauge wire to a 4-circuit distribution block and used relays to power this stuff from there... Everything else is running through the factory fuse block.

Keep in mind if you need `switched` power and are running direct from the battery, you will need to add relays. The relay needs power from a switched circuit in your harness and will control the feed from your battery. This can start to be a little cumbersome so I would try to avoid it.

[snj8198]

http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/cn-1.shtml

Is this what you're thinking?

-steve

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by snj8198

http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/cn-1.shtml

Is this what you're thinking?

-steve

That's what I was envisioning! I just wasn't sure if it existed. I guess just about anything does. Thanks a bunch!!!!

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

I am certainly no expert but did do all the wiring in my truck. With 18 circuits, I wouldn`t think that you need to worry about distributing your power. IMO, the only extra (or separate) wire from the battery would be for your amp.

I used a factory harness in my truck and when it came time to install power windows, power locks and upgrade my stereo, I ran a large gauge wire to a 4-circuit distribution block and used relays to power this stuff from there... Everything else is running through the factory fuse block.

Keep in mind if you need `switched` power and are running direct from the battery, you will need to add relays. The relay needs power from a switched circuit in your harness and will control the feed from your battery. This can start to be a little cumbersome so I would try to avoid it.

Thanks, C10-Driver. It seems like I have more than one power lead coming out of the 18 circuit feed, but will confirm this weekend while working on it.

[C10-Driver]

No problem... I may have mis-understood what you were asking. I though you were trying to figure out how to feed more accessories. While looking around, I came across these battery terminals... They look kind of cool.

http://www.wiringproducts.com/contents/en-us/d525.html

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

No problem... I may have mis-understood what you were asking. I though you were trying to figure out how to feed more accessories. While looking around, I came across these battery terminals... They look kind of cool.

http://www.wiringproducts.com/contents/en-us/d525.html

OK, that is cool! Good find. Those could quite possibly find their way into our build as well. Thanks for the link!

[Daddy Brim]

I'm doing the same thang with mine. My truck came with these terminal blocks. It will end up with power comming strait from the batt. One is on the raditor support and I will put one on the fire wall

[es67chevy]

Originally Posted by Daddy Brim

I'm doing the same thang with mine. My truck came with these terminal blocks. It will end up with power comming strait from the batt. One is on the raditor support and I will put one on the fire wall

Cool. Thanks for sharing! That gave me another idea of how to use a terminal near the headlights on the driver's side. Thanks!