Best place to get power for switch box

[Doubletrouble]

 I have a switch box from a police car that I want to install for various things in the future. I'm not sure where the best place to pull power from would be. I have it down to either the positive side of the battery (driver's side) or the power lead that feeds the fuse box under the hood. Which would be better? I know either one of those places would not be keyed power so I would have to be sure all accessories are off when I shut her down. 

 The switch box I have is rated for quite a bit. Switch 1 is routed through a 40a automotive breaker, switches 2-6 are protected by 20a blade type fuses in the rear of the box.

 Any help or ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Mopar1973Man]

Right out of the PDC there is a heavy red cable from the battery. Hook to that stud in the PDC. This will not rot or have corrosion issues. The other heavy cable is black is the charge lead.

 

Don't hook directly to the battey. This typically turns in to a huge wiring nightmare.

 

[Doubletrouble]

 Ok, thanks @Mopar1973Man.

[hdpwipmonkey]

I need to move all of mine to the + lug in the PDC.  Its looking pretty gnarly on the positive battery cable.

[Doubletrouble]

Whoa, I guess so. Lol

 Now to figure out where I can mount the switch box in the cab. With a manual trans I don't want the box in the way of the shifter.

[wil440]

I have a ford fuse/relay box hooked to the PDC charge fuse which is no longer used, with an auto it sits nice below the cup holder, not a good place  with a manual though

[Doubletrouble]

 I was curious, once I do the W-T ground mod the charge line won't be there anymore correct?

 Also, I think I may mount the switch box across the ash tray. I won't be able to open it anymore but I use one that sits in the cup holder anyway.

[Dieselfuture]

1 hour ago, Doubletrouble said:

 I was curious, once I do the W-T ground mod the charge line won't be there anymore correct?

Correct, I'm using that lug for few lose things I had on battery too. Through that 140 fues, all crap combined on that lug has its own fuse too as I had it that way on b the battery.

 

1 hour ago, Doubletrouble said:

Also, I think I may mount the switch box across the ash tray. I won't be able to open it anymore but I use one that sits in the cup holder anyway.

I got rid of my ashtray long ago and have a license plate cut out to fit and some toggle switches and a gauge for on board air there. Then the stupid cubby hole where automatics had cup holders I got an RV camera there for hitching up and whatever. 

[Doubletrouble]

 The stick for the manual trans makes things a little tricky because t I wouldn't trade it for an auto. Been a while since I had a manual pick up. Really like it. Seem to be less trouble than the auto as well. Still have their faults though.

 I like the back up cam mount, that's cool.

 My switch box has 6 switches, just need to figure out what all I would like on the truck. 

[Doubletrouble]

 Reviving this thread, got the switch box mounted today. Have the power wire for it pulled through the firewall up to the PDC (it's not hooked up yet). 

 Now I'm in need of yet more advise. I need to know if there is an easy way to run the wires from the box to under the cab without chopping/drilling a bunch of metal. I just don't like drilling holes if I can avoid it since it will probably lead to rust at some point. 

 Also, the switch box is illuminated, where would be the best place to splice into the lights so it comes on with the parking lights? It's only 3 LED's so it won't draw much.

 Thanks

 Forgot to add a pic

[wil440]

I ran my 5th wheel braking battery charge line out under the hi/low boot/surround, I just made sure it was secured and in conduit to protect it from chaffing

Edited May 9, 2020 by wil440

[Doubletrouble]

The hi/low boot? I assume you mean the transfer case shift boot? I looked at that from under the truck, it's metal with a small rubber boot under the truck. Did you just drill through that metal piece and grommet it through that?

Edited May 9, 2020 by Doubletrouble

[Royal Squire]

What happens when you hit the “TAKEDOWN” switch?

[Doubletrouble]

 I'm hoping it takes down the wife's pants but I think I'll have to change the switch labels to whatever I wire the switches to. Lmao

[wil440]

7 hours ago, Doubletrouble said:

The hi/low boot? I assume you mean the transfer case shift boot? I looked at that from under the truck, it's metal with a small rubber boot under the truck. Did you just drill through that metal piece and grommet it through that?

For the life of me I can't remember, all I do know is the cable went through that area..... jeezz it's only 2 or 3 months ago since I did it 

 

and Yes transfer case shift boot

Edited May 9, 2020 by wil440

[dripley]

6 hours ago, wil440 said:

For the life of me I can't remember, all I do know is the cable went through that area..... jeezz it's only 2 or 3 months ago since I did it 

Got to love the aging process. Just today, and many others, l walk from the driveway to my little shop for something, get there and cant remember what l was after. Have to walk back to the truck to remeber what it was

[Doubletrouble]

 Just think of all the cardio you get that way. Lol

[Alexio Auditore]

2 hours ago, dripley said:

Got to love the aging process. Just today, and many others, l walk from the driveway to my little shop for something, get there and cant remember what l was after. Have to walk back to the truck to remeber what it was

This is an everyday thing for me, but im 28... not sure what my excuse is 

Walk to the truck to get a tool when I'm working, then stare into the tool box wondering what the heck i needed to grab to begin with. I get so mad at myself too, like come on stupid, think harder lol

[IBMobile]

1 hour ago, Alexio Auditore said:

Walk to the truck to get a tool when I'm working, then stare into the tool box wondering what the heck i needed to grab to begin with

Write what your going to get on the back of your hand next time.  

 

On 5/8/2020 at 3:26 PM, Doubletrouble said:

Also, the switch box is illuminated, where would be the best place to splice into the lights so it comes on with the parking lights?

For lighting you can get power from the blub for the ash tray.

 

On 5/8/2020 at 3:26 PM, Doubletrouble said:

I need to know if there is an easy way to run the wires from the box to under the cab without chopping/drilling a bunch of metal.

You can run all the wiring through the rubber grommet on the left side of the fire wall.  A few extra feet of wire for some applications but no drilling, no rust. 

 

[wil440]

3 hours ago, IBMobile said:

 

You can run all the wiring through the rubber grommet on the left side of the fire wall.  A few extra feet of wire for some applications but no drilling, no rust. 

 

I'd already used that grommet for quite a lot