An Electrical 'distribution block' for extra Switched items ? Options

[Literati914]

I'm adding several aux items to the electrical system of my '72.. most of which will be powered thru relays (constant + and switched power). The constant power will be via an extra fuse block that I'm adding over towards the right hand side of the steering column w/ a red power wire directly from the battery.

My question is - can I simply add a single wire from a switched location on the OE fuse block (#9) and run it over to an aftermarket 'distribution block' at the right of the column?

This way I could potentially add several 'switched' relays off of it, as well as just switched/non-relay items.. while not cramming so many extra wires into the stock fuse box. This seems preferable but I can not find an instances of anyone going this route. So in theory it seems logical to me - will this not work ?

https://www.amazon.com/Terminal-Distributio...r=1-15&th=1

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[Literati914]

I added a 6 fuse, fuse panel for additional stuff by the center console. 3 are battery and the other 3 are tied to the cigarette lighter (ignition), through a SPDT switch that acts as an accessory switch, so I can play the stereo, etc. without the ignition on.

Hey Steve, if you don’t mind - tell me, does your fuse block have two input connections? I’d like to understand how you got constant +12v AND switched power on the same block. Also, for the battery power did you run a wire all the way back to the battery or pull off of a fuse in the OE fuse block? (I considered that instead of the long run back to battery which is now in the rear trunk).

I like the idea of getting (some) switched power from the cig. lighter because mine will be relocated anyway (maybe I’ll integrate it into the ashtray for a phone mount or something).. it’s something I thought I’d address down the road and leave the stock wires loose behind the dash face for now - but now that you’ve mentioned using it for switched power, I may do that (seems convenient). What exactly did you do? Just extend it to an input point on the new fuse block OR create a “Y” from it and run those over to the new fuse block? Did you add a larger fuse at the cig’s original fuse slot?

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[Steve]

I added a 6 fuse, fuse panel for additional stuff by the center console. 3 are battery and the other 3 are tied to the cigarette lighter (ignition), through a SPDT switch that acts as an accessory switch, so I can play the stereo, etc. without the ignition on.

Hey Steve, if you don’t mind - tell me, does your fuse block have two input connections? I’d like to understand how you got constant +12v AND switched power on the same block. Also, for the battery power did you run a wire all the way back to the battery or pull off of a fuse in the OE fuse block? (I considered that instead of the long run back to battery which is now in the rear trunk).

I like the idea of getting (some) switched power from the cig. lighter because mine will be relocated anyway (maybe I’ll integrate it into the ashtray for a phone mount or something).. it’s something I thought I’d address down the road and leave the stock wires loose behind the dash face for now - but now that you’ve mentioned using it for switched power, I may do that (seems convenient). What exactly did you do? Just extend it to an input point on the new fuse block OR create a “Y” from it and run those over to the new fuse block? Did you add a larger fuse at the cig’s original fuse slot?

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I bought this one from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/RED-WOLF-Negative-Di...Lw_wcB&th=1
It does have a connector on each side of the fuse. On the left side, I tied 3 fuses together and they connect to a thick wire back to the battery. Also on the left side I tied the remaining 3 fuses together with jumpers. These go to the middle terminal on the SPDT (single pole double throw switch). The top terminal of the switch goes to the cigarette lighter, the bottom terminal of the switch goes to the battery lead. Switch up is ignition (cigarette lighter), switch down is direct to the battery (accessory).
Hope this helps!