Fiat Coupe Club UK

hardwiring into fusebox issues

Posted By: Ballypete

hardwiring into fusebox issues - 17/05/2018 18:23

I have recently hardwired a satnav and a dashcam into the fusebox on the drivers side interior. No issues with routing the wires and used the service fuses (15a cigar lighter etc) to piggy back off.

The issue I have is that the different circuit fuses in the fuse box are tightly grouped together, and with using standard fuses in the holder there is not enough depth in the holder legs to secure in the fuse socket. I have also tried a mini fuse holder and mini fuses but the holder still doesn't engage securely due to it butting up against adjacent fuses. It does engage but not securely enough so they sometimes pop out if going over a bump or a pothole.

So while I do get power to the devices it is a bit heath robinson, and therefore not really a permanent or satisfactory solution. Have looked around and cannot find a fuse holder with longer legs- has anyone else come up against this issue and come up with a work around?
Posted By: dante giacosa

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 18/05/2018 08:03

sorry Pete,

not sure what you are saying?

Are you saying that you have added some extra fusing capability but it doesn't sit right, or are you saying that standard fuses don't fit the 'box..?

I've done 'a lot' of wiring on mine, and simply add to an existing circuit, within the fusing capacity of the original, so no extra protection needs to be added.
Posted By: DaveG

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 18/05/2018 08:53

I think Pete is "piggy back" fuse connectors like this, where the original fuse is replaced by two spades that go up to a double fuse holder at 90° one holding the original fuse, the other a new fuse and a cable take off to your new accessory. I've used these on other cars but it's a matter of finding the right fuse location, ie: does the supplying circuit have spare capacity, and will the piggy back fuse holder fit (it's only supposed to fit in one position), and will the cable be easy to route out of the fuse box?

In the case of the Coupe the fuses are neatly lined up in two columns but I think the issue is that the spade connectors are not long enough to be fully inserted in to the fuse folder in the fuse box. I wonder if a bit of plastic could be trimmed from the piggy back thingummy to make the spade "legs" a little longer?
Posted By: dante giacosa

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 18/05/2018 10:06

CRIKEY

Er, right-

well I've certainly never used those.

I'll just back out of this thread at this point; sorry

(*distant door slam*)
Posted By: DaveG

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 18/05/2018 10:23

Ah, so you're in the traditional camp, where for example you remove a section of insulation from a wire, wrap another wire around that for your accessory, and slap a bit of insulation tape around the join, hoping that it works but more likely hoping your "client" doesn't notice what a complete bodge job you have done grr (sorry, that's not directed at you, a professional "specialist" did some wiring for me that turned out to be a complete bodge)

What's your preferred method of "adding" wiring? Do you do like the above but solder the joint and put tape or shrink-wrap around it? Or use 3M splice thingummies? Or do you cut a wire and put in a new terminal block with spade connectors, joining the new wire to a spade connector? Do you use piggy back spade connectors? I've done all of these at various times, so go on, tell us what you do!
Posted By: Ballypete

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 18/05/2018 11:01

Thanks DaveG and dante giacosa for the replies.

It's as you describe it Dave- the spade connectors aren't long enough on the fuse tap. I think I have managed to sort it by filing a very small portion of the plastic away at the outside edge of the fuse box, it sits a couple of millimetres deeper in the socket and the fuse tap wire doesn't foul the edge
Posted By: szkom

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 18/05/2018 20:16

What about a drop of silicone sealant to provide a little more security? Temporarily gluing it to the fuse board would give some added confidence as a bad connection generates heat.
Posted By: dante giacosa

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 22/05/2018 07:27

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Posted By: Anonymous

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 22/05/2018 07:40

Undo the 2 hinge bolts at front of the fusebox, pull it down and you can access all the connectors and wiring on the back for a permanent connection.

Or for the easiest ignition switched power source look for the big multi-way connector for the centre console (behind the radio), easily pulled out into the driver's footwell and has the ignition switched +12v for the lighter on it.

The ground wire is black on both sides of the multi-way connector and the ignition switched +12v wire is orange on one side of the connection and red/yellow on the other side. The 2 wires are next to each other (horizontally) in the 3rd and 4th positions from one end of each connector.

So you're looking for a slightly thicker black and orange pair, or a slightly thicker black and red/yellow pair (depending on whether you're looking at the male or female connectors) in position 3 and 4 on the back of the connector.

Then just strip back the insulation a little, solder your wires on and tape it up or use heatshrink, or even one of those scotchblock things if you must. wink
Posted By: dante giacosa

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 22/05/2018 07:57

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Posted By: szkom

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 22/05/2018 11:21

Personally I'd avoid cutting or splicing into wires. It'll only cause issue down the line as the car ages and the volts flow in ways the car isn't fused, or wired to support. I've been there and done that. My coupe came with a (non functioning) window roll up module hidden under the dash. Hours of fun that caused.

Again, I'd avoid solder, as I don't think it holds up well long term. You don't see much of it in OE wiring harnesses for a reason. And the less said about scotch locks the better.

For my money, Pete, you've done the right thing thumb
Posted By: dante giacosa

Re: hardwiring into fusebox issues - 22/05/2018 12:26

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