How to hook up multi heavy amp loads?

[wxmn6]

Well, I am planning on putting quite several serious amps drawing toys on my truck! :D I am planning on getting a Fisher snowplow, Downeaster sander, 750 or 1000 watts inverter, #8000-#10000 winch. Also I will have a 8 gauge wire running to supply power to all my warning lights, other accessories, etc. So, the problem is, how could I hook up 5 thick heavy gauge wires to the red positive junction box? I have auxiliary battery in my truck, but I don't think that is where it belong? How do you guys overcome this obstacle? Do you add one big post somewhere under the hood and connect all heavy load units wires, then add a heavy gauge jumper wire connected from the big post to the red junction box?

Another question, do you use circuit breaker for inverter and winch? The sander will need one, and the snowplow I believe do not. The inverter would be mounted under the rear seat of extended cab, and the winch plug would be mounted somewhere under the tailend of truck. So if I do need circuit breaker for the inverter and winch, how can I find a place to mount three big breakers under the hood? Remember that the snowplow will need a room under the hood for modulate box where all wires are connected. It is becoming my concern because I can't seem to figure out where I am going to find the room for those stuff. :confused:

Thanks!

[Maverick]

Did you put dual alts on yet? I thought you were talking about it. The only things you might run at the same time would be the plow and sander that would pull any juice. Does the sander have its own motor or is it electric? I would run some 0-1 gauge off the red jumper box to a junction block with enough + ports to feed everything off of. Thats what I would do. The snow plow wiring shouldn't take up much space. My fuse block for my plow is on the firewall by the pass. battery. There is enough space on the firewall to mount a juction block. Take a look at my breaker for my inverter. You can get some the same (physical) size but in a lower amp.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=777914&uid=437876

[ 05-14-2003: Message edited by: Maverick ]</p>

[c5dura]

I have dual alternators and besides the wires to each of those, the following cables have been added to the stock red junction box:

1 2 gauge to 15000# Warn Winch
1 4 gauge to 600W RMS Amp
1 10 gauge to Alpine "V-Drive" HU
2 12 gauge to Remote Starter

I drilled holes in the sides of the red plastic cover for all these extra cables and also had to use a dremel tool to do some additional trimming before the cover would close properly again. Wire loomed everything and things look stock to the casual observer.

[wxmn6]

I have only one alternator, but it is a heavy duty 130 amps which produce nearly the same output as dual so I think I will be fine. I do have two batteries. The sander is an electric.

I just saw where you mounted the circuit breaker for the inverter. It gave me an idea that I could run a heavy gauge wire from the stock red junction box to the first breaker, then make a couple heavy wire jumper and connect it in parallel with the other two breakers. (One jumper wire between two breakers). It might be a solution. Do I need a circuit breaker for winch? Never heard of someone using it for winch, but since the winch cable is going to run all along the chassis to the rear, there is a possible of getting shorted out if I hit something with it. Would the winch be too easy to trip the breaker?

Maverick - I just looked at your pics - nice setup. I noticed that you have a REALLY BIG black wire going into the red junction box (at least that is what it looks like) - what is it for? It got to be at least 4/0 gauge. :eek:

c5dura - how long is the bolt stud on the red junction box on your? Mine seems to be pretty short - maybe 1" long, plus you have to consider the space the big thick nut take up. Do you run a circuit breaker for your winch?

Thanks guys for your input!

[c5dura]

No circuit breaker on the winch. Of course mine is mounted on the front, so the cable is only 5 feet or so. Btw, the winch draws 460A at stall, so it would have to be a huge breaker if you decide to go that route. You might consider running the winch cable in a steel conduit as an alternative.

1" sounds about right on the stud. I did have to 'star' out the various leads as the cables themselves are way over 1" if stacked on top of each other.

C5dura

[Maverick]

wxmn6,
I just looked at my pic and it does look like a big black wire. But it is only the wire coming from the drivers side battery. Its wrapped in the black plastic conduit. The driver side battery comes in from the top ond the pass comes in from the bottom. They both are connected to a metal plate than is attached in the red box by the stud and nut.

[ 05-14-2003: Message edited by: Maverick ]</p>

[WhiteDuramax]

My old truck had a plow and the plow feed wires about 2/4 gauge were attached to the battery post and went to the plow module/solenoid, it had a big stud on it that another power wire could be hooked to, then you have your remote terminals to hook to, and the other battery posts, that should be plenty of spots.

[a64pilot]

FWIW, I believe that dual alts will put out more amperage than one big one. I believe it has to do with the RPM that alt's are rated at.