BlueSea – Installation question(s)

[kulwen]

I have the BlueSea power distribution block in hand and waiting on UPS to deliver the battery power lugs. I would like to install it the weekend of the 21st and 22nd. However, I cannot seem to find a link to a relay for me to order. Does anyone have a link to the relay I will need? All the posts I read though seem to talk about the relay, but do not link to the relay.

Also, does anyone have a link to a vendor to purchase the Posi-Taps? My local electronic store does not carry this brand. Posi-lock seems to only sell them in 30pc boxes for $30.

What gauge wire do you suggest for the project? I am considering running 16gauge.

Thank you,

John T.

 

[GunMD]

I have the BlueSea power distribution block in hand and waiting on UPS to deliver the battery power lugs. I would like to install it the weekend of the 21st and 22nd. However, I cannot seem to find a link to a relay for me to order. Does anyone have a link to the relay I will need? All the posts I read though seem to talk about the relay, but do not link to the relay.
Also, does anyone have a link to a vendor to purchase the Posi-Taps? My local electronic store does not carry this brand. Posi-lock seems to only sell them in 30pc boxes for $30.

What gauge wire do you suggest for the project? I am considering running 16gauge.

Thank you,

John T.

Any auto parts place should have a regular automotive relay. I used a 30A relay but you may want other opinions on that??

 

[kulwen]

Any auto parts place should have a regular automotive relay. I used a 30A relay but you may want other opinions on that??

Good info, thanks

Anyone have other input on the 30A? If not, I will go get one.

 

[Foxhuntr]

Any auto parts place should have a regular automotive relay. I used a 30A relay but you may want other opinions on that??

Good info, thanks

Anyone have other input on the 30A? If not, I will go get one.

I bought mine at Radio Shack - 30 AMP relay.

 

[FJRandy]

Wire size from the battery to the fuse block? DEFINITELY 10 gauge. Overkill will work to your favor when you start filling up those blank spots on the block.

Go to your local car stereo shop and ask to buy a Bosch "mini giant" relay. It's a 30 amp SPDT relay. Should cost you around $5.00. More than that and they're bending you over the counter. Other good brands are Potter & Brumfield, or Magnadine. I use all three and have had no failures on any of them as long as I can remember. Also, if the car stereo shop tries to sell you a DEI relay, take it. It's re-badged P&B.

STAY AWAY from Hella relays!!! You'll be sorry.

I know I shouldn't say this yet, but I'm currently in discussion with Jeff from bikeeffects.com to make up a harness for the blue Sea fuse block. The holdup seems to be if I should make it switched or constant power. I haven't had the time to REALLY sit down and draw it out, (family issuses) but it's in the works.

I might start a poll to see which type is most wanted, constant or switched power. A quick look at the fuse block didn't show how it could "properly" be wired for both at the same time.

Either way, you can bet it will be much better made than that thinly wired junk people are currently paying $30 plus for. Not to mention it will untilze a Bosch quality realy, not that $1.29 junk.

 

[Randy]

The relay (the other) Randy mentions would be great.

For the wires, I used 10ga for the positive power feed from the battery to the relay and from the relay to the Blue Seas box. I also used 10ga for the negative feed that goes from the battery to the Blue Seas and back to the relay. For all of the farkles and for the switched power source to the relay, I used 14ga.

 

[Bike Effects]

I have the BlueSea power distribution block in hand and waiting on UPS to deliver the battery power lugs. I would like to install it the weekend of the 21st and 22nd. However, I cannot seem to find a link to a relay for me to order. Does anyone have a link to the relay I will need? All the posts I read though seem to talk about the relay, but do not link to the relay.
Also, does anyone have a link to a vendor to purchase the Posi-Taps? My local electronic store does not carry this brand. Posi-lock seems to only sell them in 30pc boxes for $30.

What gauge wire do you suggest for the project? I am considering running 16gauge.

Thank you,

John T.

You can order them piece meal from NAPA Auto Parts. Take lots of money with you.

 

[SkooterG]

For the Posi-connectors, I have seen them at NAPA, and the other chain auto parts stores like Kragen, Checker, Pep-boys, and I have also seen them at Walmart. To have them shipped to your door for $$$$, Aerostitch also sells them.

Got my relay from Rat Shak, and then a few of the Bosch from a buddy who bought some in bulk. I actually had one fail - the one controlling my switched power barrier strip (Horns, radar detector, aux lights, ect.) I have another controlling the Blaster horns that is fine. I am not sure which one failed. I will assume it was the Rat Shak one.

 

[Herkypilot]

I also recently bought a Blue Sea block and was wondering where you all are mounting them? The only place I see that it will fit is under the driver's seat. Any other inovative ideas out there?

Herkypilot

 

[ngarider]

I wired mine up with 12AWG, switched with a waterproof marine switch (backlit blue, for speed!). With the limited amount of stuff you can run simultaneously, 12AWG seemed appropriate. Box is mounted in the tail, as far back as it'll go and secured by the stock rubber strap.

I also have something of a conduit for running power and signal wires, all power down the right side, all signal (audio, etc) down the other. All have heat shielding around them. I used some leftover spark plug wire shielding made for looming your plug wires through when they run next to a hot manifold (ala, turbo applications).

 

[GunMD]

I also recently bought a Blue Sea block and was wondering where you all are mounting them? The only place I see that it will fit is under the driver's seat. Any other inovative ideas out there?
Herkypilot

Mine is under the driver's seat but I know that some have mounted under the passenger seat with no problem. Other than those places, I'm not sure what to suggest.

More pics here

 

[brazos parker]

My Blue Sea fuse block is under the passenger seat. Yamaha was thoughtful enough to make a perfect place for it there...and a strap to boot!

 

[mdisher]

I know I shouldn't say this yet, but I'm currently in discussion with Jeff from bikeeffects.com to make up a harness for the blue Sea fuse block. The holdup seems to be if I should make it switched or constant power. I haven't had the time to REALLY sit down and draw it out, (family issuses) but it's in the works.I might start a poll to see which type is most wanted, constant or switched power. A quick look at the fuse block didn't show how it could "properly" be wired for both at the same time.

Here's my take...

I'd make the wiring harness so that it could go either way, then let Jeff sell the relay seperately.

Just add a jumper to connect where the relay would go if you don't get it, and of course you'd have a little extra wire, but it'll be there when you're ready to go switched if'n when you do...

That way you only have one part number, one harness fills two needs.

Make sense?

 

[escapefjrtist]

I ran the fuse block so it is hot all the time...10 ga wire back to battery positive and negative. Gunny to Gunny, there is plenty of space under the seats, the GenII bikes even have more available space than the GenI's. If you need / want a switched source, just install the relay (with the appropriate feed) off one of the fused hot sources and you're all set.

--G

 

[HIS2006]

Mine is under the passenger seat.

A few websites to look at if you need materials or parts for the installation of the BlueSea Fuse Box.

All Electronics

Relays

Eastwood Supplies

Vic Hubbard

Performance Center

 

[kulwen]

Thank you everyone.

 

[twodogs]

See:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...mp;#entry202511

 

[FJRandy]

If you need / want a switched source, just install the relay (with the appropriate feed) off one of the fused hot sources and you're all set.
--G

The problem doing it this way is that it leaves you with only one switched (and fused) outlet. All the rest are constant. It seems like some would rather have it ALL switched, and some would rather have it ALL constant. Simple to make a harness for one or the other, but not both and have enough fused outputs for both.

I have access to smaller 4, 6, or 8 outlet blocks. I was thinking of mounting two 4 oultet fuse blocks, a relay, and a ground block on one mount. They're not quite the quality of the Blue Sea units, but I've used them before in car audio with no problems.

6 all connected (like Blue Sea) looks like this...

And 8 individual in/out looks like this. It comes in 4, 6 or 8.

I can split this one into half switched and half constant. About 1/3 the size of the Blue Sea if used by itself.

I'd still have to work in a grounding block or post.

 

[Randy]

Randy, Maybe it's just me, but, it almost sounds like your trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist. I don't beleive I have heard anyone on here say that they wished they had half of their power distribution block (pdb) switched and half of it unswitched. If you want both, get both. A harness for an unswitched pdb is easy as you just run a + (with an inline fuse) and a - into any pdb. Where it gets a little complex is when you add a relay into the mix. You could make it real simple by having a pdb unswitched and have one of the + and - circuits going into a relay that will power a second pdb.