M2 Installing New 12v circuit. How/Where to tap

[Trialrun85]

All,

I am sure this has been covered but cant seem to find it. The great folks at Dynamax Parts sold me new seat skins as mine had turned to dust. I already installed the drivers side and then it dawned on me that now would be the ideal time to make the seats heated.

From wherever I tap for the heater ( most likely has to be the fuse block upfront) I only want 12V when the engine is running.

But in general, has anyone installed a sub fuse block somewhere in the cab or coach that makes it easier to add things down the road?

I am thinking 1 small fuse panel that is always on for certain things and 1 small fuse panel that is only hot with the ignition on.

Thanks in Advance,

John

[halla]

I have a sub fuse panel up under the left side of the steering column. I run the subwoofer, amp, seat heaters etc….

I put in a 100amp fuse in the electric bay, ran a new ground and power from that fuse to up under the dash to the new panel.

I also put the new power line on a shut off switch in the electric bay in case it ever needs shut off.

[Trialrun85]

Halla, Thanks for the info on your setup. I was also trying to figure how many amps to run. Did not think of amplifier and subwoofer. My radio could use those for sure someday, so I will do similar. Maybe make a couple circuits ignition on only for drain protection. Did u run #4? Recall Feet?

[halla]

8awg wire from Amazon, bought 50' of each (Red/Black). I used probably 25-30' of it total. I ran out the back of the cabinet, up along the frame rail. Under the plastic scuff plate on the drivers door is a wire loom that enters there. I came up through that and then up to the firewall. My panel is not keyed, it is powered on all the time, but the amp and the sub have a power on/off wire that controls those. The seats we have to remember to shut off, which hasnt been an issue so far.

[Trialrun85]

Halla, Thanks again. Do people seal up the grommet hole in the firewall when they pass a cable through with some type of waterproof pass through connector?

[halla]

The firewall hole I have sealed up, I just used some butyl around the wires, keeps everything out and never really dries and falls apart.