I want to put a power connector under the front bumper I can connect a few things to on my R59. Some 12v lights for our Christmas Parade and maybe even power for a camera at times. Going to leave the connector under the front bumper with a water proof connector. Where is the best place to go for power? All the way to the battery (fused of course) or is there a better place for a fused connection? Doesn't have to be switched, but would be ok if it was.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

Best location is probably the under hood fuse box. I used the large gauge wire coming into the right rear of the box for my aftermarket driving lights. This circuit is always hot.

 

Battery makes the most sense, you won't be tapping into a used, maybe under powered circuit.

 

I'd duplicate the circuit commonly used used for driving lights.


Full power tapped of the line that feeds the engine compartment fuse box ... easy to connect to cleanly, easy to disconnect if needed. Use an inline fuse and take this line to a relay. Then from the relay run your power line to the front. Run your switch wires to a dash location; easy to pass thru one of the existing firewall penetrations already present with a rubber grommet.


If you want the circuit to be switched, just tap the toggle side relay power from a switched line .... an add-a-circuit fuse jumper to the cig' lighter works. Now your relay can only be hot if the switched circuits are hot . . .


This is how I wired the 'musical' air horns in my 79! They play a bar from Colonel Bogey March aka Bridge Over the River Kwai

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I like the idea of tapping into the main wire feeding the engine compartment fuse box. I know there is several ways of doing that, what is the "cleanest" way of connecting to it that you all prefer?

Cool Capt. I always wanted a car that played a musical tune growing up. Dang Duke Boys got to me!

 

IME the hot side is a thick cable held down by one bolt .... I fabricate my wire with a crimp on eye large 'nuff to fit the bolt ... no question about connectivity then!


In other words my wire has a ring connector attached, that fits under the bolt . . .

 

That's great! I didn't realize that fuse box feed wire was connected by a bolt, I like that. I really wasn't wanting to "pierce" that wire.