Unswitched 5A supply

[clockworks]

I'm trying to get an unswitched 5 amp supply into the boot of my Qubo. Normally, this would come directly off the battery, but I can't see a way of getting a cable from the battery to inside the car.

The main wiring harness goes into the scuttle panel, then into the car right at the top of the dashboard. To follow this route, I'd have to remove the scuttle panel and half the dashboard.

The other option would be to use the cigarette lighter socket, but that only gets power with the ignition on. I'll be leaving the car unattended, so that's no use.

Is there anywhere else that I could safely pick up an unswitched supply? As I said, I only need 5 amps.

 

[jip0]

what car are you doing this in?

 

[clockworks]

Qubo

 

[jip0]

ah im not familer with the qubo so best wait for someone else to come along sorry

 

[volxstu]

Its not really the sort of car that many people modify which is a bummer. Im sure somebody wired an auxilery fuse box to one under the seat. Ill try and find the thread at lunch. At least you may be able to contact the OP.

 

[clockworks]

That was me - my plan was to fit an auxiliary fuse box. Finally got around to it, and just can't see an easy way to run the cable.

 

[volxstu]

:doh: Well thats not going to help then lol. So there are no rubber grommets in the engine bay that you can make a hole in. Sometimes they are hidden behind the noise reduction carpet stuff (sorry i forgot the name)

 

[clockworks]

Everything electrical seems to go in right at the top of the dash, through the space covered by the scuttle panel (the chamber that holds the wiper assembly and heater intake).
The steering column seems to run through the floor pan, rather than the bulkhead.
The heater pipes run through a big hole straight into the heater matrix, sealed to the bulkhead with a gasket.
Can't see where the pedal pushrods come through, as there's not a lot of space under the bonnet.

I'm wondering if I could tap off from a permanently live circuit, such as the hazard warning switch or interior lighting?
Most of the components in the Qubo seem to be common with other Fiat cars, particularly the Grand Punto.

 

[volxstu]

Fiat tend to be quite consistant throughout the board. I just cant think of anywhere pre Fuse that would be suitable.

 

[clockworks]

Just had another look, and I've found a second fuse box inside the car. There are several empty fuse slots, but they are all on a switched supply.

Next to the fuse box is the main supply cable for the whole panel - permanently live. I'm tempted to trim some of the insulation from this cable and solder on an inline fuse holder, then run my new cable from this point.

If I do this, I'll fit a 10A fuse on the 12v wire, and another on the ground wire. I'll also fit a 7.5A fuse at the outlet in the boot.


In my earlier post, I enquired about adding some more switched outlets. While I was looking around inside the car, I prised out the cigarette lighter/USB panel, and discovered a spare switched power plug. I've connected a 4-way outlet to this spare plug, so I now have switched power for my Tom Tom, phone charger, etc.

 

[clockworks]

Finally had some decent weather, so I fitted the cable. The orange wire from the bottom of the in-line fuseholder is soldered to the thick red/black wire, which is the supply wire for the fuse box. Convenient earth point on the metal bracket top right.
The cable (double insulated twin core) runs behind the kick panel, under the sill trims, then behind the rear seat/boot trim, before emerging above the inner wheel arch.

The outlet box has another in-line fuse inside, a 30A illuminated switch, and 2 pairs of 4mm terminals. The wheel arch makes a handy shelf for the RC battery charger.

 

[volxstu]

Im glad you got it sorted in the end. Are you sure that is the main power cable into that fuse box. It looks a bit small, but hey ho if it works then who cares.

 

[clockworks]

Yes, it's the supply cable for the secondary fusebox inside the car - at least, everything covered by this fusebox is "switched", and the cable is permanently live. I was surprised by how small the cable is, but the insulation is very thin, so the core is thicker than you'd think.
The main fusebox, handling all the high power stuff, is under the bonnet.

 

[volxstu]

That is the way with most cars now days.

 

[clockworks]

It's been a long time since I had anything to do with car electrics - I've had company cars for over 20 years. I think that the last car I played with the electrics was the wife's Fiesta XR2 Mk2. Ended up stabbing myself in the eye with the pointy end of a screwdriver while trying to fit some rear speakers.

 

[volxstu]

Yup that sounds like DIY Mobile electronics. :bang: But its fun.