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Mud_Plugger

Member Since: 12 Sep 2013
Location: Blighty
Posts: 10

Connecting Accessories For The Beginner

Im a total novice when customizing/wiring etc. Im looking to add various accessories to my defender as i go along. Some of which will be quite high current (winch, big cooling fans etc) and some will not (rear led worklight etc). Ive got a load of carling switches to switch the accessories on and off.
I will probably have to add an additional fuseboard to power up all the various accessories. As well as using an extra fuseboard, will i need to add relays to each accessory as well? If so, is there a guide explaining/showing how to do this correctly, as im a stickler for neatness. Maybe even a bit OCD lol. Id really appreciate a guide for the layman if possible as id like to get it right first time

Many Thanks
Tom

12th Sep 2013 1:52pm

smb

Member Since: 15 Jan 2013
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 1232

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black

The best advice for what it is worth that I can give is:

1/ Buy the best quality you can afford, and
2/ Plan what you are doing or wanting to do.

In the long run both of the above will save you a lot in time and money.

Plus, before you start anything run it by this forum first for ideas.

Have fun

12th Sep 2013 2:28pm

bpman

Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black

depending on whereabouts you are in blighty, there may be a helpful forum member who you could discuss ideas with but AFAIK there are no guides on the forum for dual batteries, winch installation etc..

there's a search button though

12th Sep 2013 2:40pm

udderlyoffroad

Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Bristol
Posts: 124

The question you're really asking is: teach me to be an auto electrician. I have yet to find a decent website/article explaining how to do a good job. But, I can recommend a good book, covers the theory and practice in an accessible form, without labouring the points too much, albeit for boats.

As for how to do a neat job - take a look at some of Tim @ Mobilecentre's posts on here, especially when he posts pictures.

Personally, I would started with a proper, dedicated auxiliary fusebox with negative busbars. Bluesea fuseboxes are a popular choice.

Matt Real trucks don't have spark plugs

12th Sep 2013 3:16pm

Mud_Plugger

Member Since: 12 Sep 2013
Location: Blighty
Posts: 10

Thanks for the replies so far.

I have used the search button but considering how many people appear to have fitted additional dash panels from Raptor and Mud etc, there seems to be very little in the way of descriptions/pics as to how folks wired up their accessories.

Im more than happy to order myself a book on 12v auto-electrics if need be, i just thought id ask you knowledgable folks first. What better way to learn about my defender than from the guys that own/modify them

Thanks
Tom

12th Sep 2013 6:37pm

mk1collector

Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

Personally if I didn't know how to do the electrics I'd pay someone to do it as the potential for fire is too great. In my opinion of course

12th Sep 2013 8:16pm

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3778

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green

+1.
I'm hopeless at any sort of mechanical stuff...no aptitude at all....so I have to pay, and I don't mind,....as long as I get what I pay for.
Cheers, Pickles.

12th Sep 2013 10:17pm

K9F

Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey

Mud Plugger,

I am a sparky and only too willing to help out the occasional forum member with advice and bits 'n' pieces. Maybe when the time arrives and you have your first electrical extra to fit it could be used as a learning tool and somebody in the know would be able to teach you the fundamentals of electrical wizardry if there's a willing electrician in your area. People get offers of assistance on a regular basis on here but to do so people need to know ballpark where you are.

'Blighty' is a big place though. Perhaps being a little more specific with your location may be beneficial perhaps? If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!

13th Sep 2013 7:17am

Mud_Plugger

Member Since: 12 Sep 2013
Location: Blighty
Posts: 10

Hi K9F,
Thanks for the reply. I am from Kilmarnock in Scotland. I will be adding accessories bit by bit as i go along. Like i say i already have a load of Carling switches that im going to mount into a Raptor dash. I was just looking for a reference to some fundamentals.
For example i understand that high-load accessories require relays as they will blow my 20A switches. Now are the relays wired between the battery and the fuseboard, or between the fuseboard and accessory etc etc...

Thanks
Tom

13th Sep 2013 5:05pm

K9F

Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Auto-Electrical-HP...0895862387

If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!

13th Sep 2013 5:57pm

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