Solenoid or relay?

[wxmn6]

I am planning to have several accessories (that I plan to install) wired to a fuse block which would have a heavy gauge primary wire coming from the engine compartment to the block. But I want this to be switched, which mean I want the accessories to have power only when the ignition is on. So I will need either a relay or solenoid. I am wondering which would be better for me to use, relay or solenoid?

[dmaxster]

30 amps or less....best to use a relay......over the 30 amps better to use a solenoid.....dmaxster

[BigLakeDMAX]

I just did this - ran a primary wire from the remote battery terminal in the engine compartment to a 30A relay from RadioShack (Part #275-226, about $5). I mounted this relay on the firewall inside the cab and continued the now switched primary to a fuse block for distribution to the accessories. The relay works well and quietly.

[GBurton]

POSSIBLE FIRE WARNING!

Any wire that you run from the engine compartment to any location in the truck needs to be fused at the source! If you are connecting to the remote battery terminal that is in the red box or any other un-fused source of 12 volts you need to install a fuse right at the connection point! That fuse is to protect the wire just in case it is damaged.
As an example, I installed a heavy gauge wire from the red battery junction box in the engine compartment to a fuse block that is installed under the rear seat. That fuse block is used to power several radio related items. Within 6 inches of the red battery junction is a 60 amp primary fuse. I know, good, high current fuse holders are not cheap but if anything should cut into that large wire the primary fuse will open and prevent an electrical fire.

One source of high current fuse holders is your local "boom boom" aftermarket vehicle audio with the big amps store smile.gif

George

[NickLeinonen]

before installing an aftermarket aux. fuse, check the under hood fuse box. there should be 2 aux. fuses that are the maxi kind at 30a or 40a [designed for plow boys] there is a stud you can bolt down a eyelet to to get a fused always on power sourse from..

[GBurton]

NickLeinonen

Good idea about using the existing auxiliary fuses in the under hood power distribution box. The problem there is both of those fuses are already in use by the towing package. One feeds 12-volt power to the trailer connector for charging the battery in a trailer. The second fuse is used by the factory connector for the brake controller. It would be ok to use the one fuse that supplies power to the trailer but I would not recommend sharing the brake controller fuse.

George

[jbplock]

Checkout www.painlessperformance.com/fuseblock.htm.

They have some nice add-on fuseblocks with relays.

[BigLakeDMAX]

Absolutely fuse the lead immediately for safety. I just ordered a new distribution box from www.terminaltown.com - they make good quality aircraft wiring items. Also, www.streetwires.com makes a great distribution box. They don't sell directly but looks like their stuff is available at the custom audio shops.