Adding Power Distribution Block for Rear Accessories

[Beatrocker248]

Hey Everyone

Just like the title says, was wondering if anyone has added a Power Distribution Block on the bed side? Want to do several add-ons (KC Gravity Titan on sports bar, ARB Compressor, exterior lighting, etc.) and instead of making each individual harness extend all the way from the battery or have the distribution block near the battery, thought it would be way easier for any future projects to add to the rear of the bed. Had gotten the idea from the Audio guys that add amplifiers in the back seats and wanted to follow almost same foot steps but alas I am a wee bit technically challenged on a lot of electrical stuff.

As far as I have researched, 4-6 AWG wire should be more than enough for any future project, it would all come down to the relays and fuses needed for each individual accessory. Plan is to add an immediate inline ANL fuse from the battery (Still working on what fuse to run), run cable along the inner lower portion of the cabin along the passenger side underneath the plastic overlays, out the vents from the rear seats and then add another fuse right before connecting to the distribution block. From there get a block that has outlets for relays and fuses (saw some on Amazon for pretty good pricing, most of them don't seem to be made of cheaper material and reviews are pretty good). Then add anything to hearts content.

Really keen on doing this so later on I wont be only committed to the upfitter switches, Aux-beam switch panel, D-switch, etc., or connecting directly from battery terminals. Any help would be appreciated and offered 3 cookies in return.

Sponsored

 

[Buyer2021]

Envisioning the distro block(s) inside the bed or between the bed and exterior fender?

In either case weather and physical protection would be a major consideration it would seem? Presumably you'll want both (+) bock with fuses for each load and (-) bus for grounds?

Might look into some of the Blue Sea Systems marine components to see if those meet your needs, here's just two examples among many nifty / high quality components they offer ...

Water-Resistant - 100A BusBar - Blue Sea Systems

ST-Blade Water-Resistant Fuse Block - Blue Sea Systems

Have Fun!

Late thought, you might consider locating the distro stuff onside the cab on the back wall for best protection, routing the load feed wires to the bed via path you mention.

 

[SP_2023_Lariat]

On my 2023 F150 I went with the Auxbeam setup. The relay box is mound under the hood. From there I ran a 7 wire harness to the taillight area on the driver side. Currently only using 2 of the wires for lights. in the future I will be adding additional USB connections and LED lights in the bed that will use these pre-run wiring. Same principle as you are thinking just different location of equipment. Back in the taillight area there is not a lot of good spaces to mound relays and other needed equipment. Also; you would have to run switch wires back to the relays in that area inaddition to the power. Both work -- Just different way to do accomplish the same task.

 

[Beatrocker248]

Envisioning the distro block(s) inside the bed or between the bed and exterior fender?

In either case weather and physical protection would be a major consideration it would seem? Presumably you'll want both (+) bock with fuses for each load and (-) bus for grounds?

Might look into some of the Blue Sea Systems marine components to see if those meet your needs, here's just two examples among many nifty / high quality components they offer ...

Water-Resistant - 100A BusBar - Blue Sea Systems

ST-Blade Water-Resistant Fuse Block - Blue Sea Systems

Have Fun!

Late thought, you might consider locating the distro stuff onside the cab on the back wall for best protection, routing the load feed wires to the bed via path you mention.

Yes! Something like this is what I was thinking of. Was also thinking of placing the block at the rear of bed for easy access and not having to drill holes from the small ports on the front side of the bed where usually the drain tubes go when you add a tonneau cover. Thats why was thinking of weatherproofing it but Im liking the idea of leaving it inside the cabin behind the rear seats just to not overcomplicate things. That way, when water does get inside the bed, at least the block itself wont be too exposed.

I've looked in between the bed and panels and yea, too cramped to get anything done without doing heavy cutting.

 

[Beatrocker248]

On my 2023 F150 I went with the Auxbeam setup. The relay box is mound under the hood. From there I ran a 7 wire harness to the taillight area on the driver side. Currently only using 2 of the wires for lights. in the future I will be adding additional USB connections and LED lights in the bed that will use these pre-run wiring. Same principle as you are thinking just different location of equipment. Back in the taillight area there is not a lot of good spaces to mound relays and other needed equipment. Also; you would have to run switch wires back to the relays in that area inaddition to the power. Both work -- Just different way to do accomplish the same task.

Nice! Any pics you can share?

Did you add any fuses at the end of the wiring harness or would be a later addition depending what your trying to connect to?

Which Auxbeam in particular did you add? Already came pre-fused?

For now I have 4 upfitter switches available, 2 are going for the KC Light bar, and have ARB portable unit so already has a switch integrated so just wanted to pop it off from the case and mount onto the bed cleats. Was looking at the D-switch from Diode Dynamics once I do run out of upfitter switches but in the meantime those are the only 2 accessories I wanna plug in.

 

[NitroDarwin]

For fuses it should be
Battery->big fuse--------->power block->small fuse----->device
Each fuse protects the wire after from fire in case of a short. The big fuse should be rated for slightly more than all connected devices draw together and less than the current capacity of the wire itself.

 

[The Gray Manalishi]

For fuses it should be
Battery->big fuse--------->power block->small fuse----->device
Each fuse protects the wire after from fire in case of a short. The big fuse should be rated for slightly more than all connected devices draw together and less than the current capacity of the wire itself.

Good advice.

Fuse or fire, you choose!

Sponsored