Battery to the boot and fuses

So I've got the battery in the boot and ran a new cable with an inline mega fuse close to the battery.

The attached pic shows the existing set up which was at the battery, with two 30a fuses coming away from the main line.

My question is, do I also need to fuse where the existing battery was, or is the one fuse at the battery enough and can I change the two 30a fuses for spade fuses that attach at a junction box with the main cables?

 

That was my plan, but the original box is disintegrating and with me laying the ecu flat, I'm a little concerned it would short out on it!

That's why I've got the junction box, I'm just a little concerned that the spade fuse won't be up to the job!

I guess I could try it and if the fuse goes, back to the drawing board.

 

The junction box is small, if you look at pic1, you'll see the main cables feeding in to one side, I was going to add two 30a spade fuses to the other but I'm not sure if I need a fuse before them, or if the fuse by the battery is enough.

Have toyed with the idea of something like this.

 

Yeah I'm liking the idea of that fuse box the more I look at it!

I know it'll be safe and should look quite tidy too.

 

Not sure if it'll fit in with the bodge theme I've got going.

 

I ordered the enclosed fuse box today, as well as an aluminium battery holder to bolt down into the spare wheel well.

I've uncovered a load of dodgy wiring that looks like it's an alarm system, I may need a separate thread for that lol.

 

I am for now, may change to something different in the future.

Not overly concerned about spillage etc with the amount it gets used.

 

Ahh crap, I've broken it!

Connected everything up, the ignition came on etc but when I went to start it, it died!

I now have no ignition etc, but the red light on the dash is on permanently so I assume it's got an immobiliser that's kicked in and killed everything?

 

Yeah I got the fuse block. Fuses seem okay but I'll check them again.

I earthed to a bolt that was poking through the boot, maybe that's not up to the job?

 

So I've just left the existing negatives together, only difference being they're in a neater junction box, I've then fitted a new strap from the - to a bolt in the boot?

 

It's pouring down now so can't just yet!

Strange that I had ignition etc and then went to crank and lost everything? The red light is solid now too so not sure if there's an immobiliser issue?

 

Okay, I'll disconnect everything and reattach, check all the fuses etc too and see if I can get the ignition back and go from there!

 

Ha, really coming down tbh so will probably have a bash tomorrow now.

 

Earth connection isn't good enough!

Checked all the fuses and all seem okay, but the earth isn't good enough.in that position.

Firstly, I'll try and sand the area down a little to get better contact, failing that, I'll run another cable to the original connection.

 

She lives.

Gave the connection a good sand down and fired up first time.

 

A big relief tbh, just need to work out what's going on with all the dodgy wiring to what looks to be an alarm system now!

 

It's a strange one, there's some definite aftermarket wiring going on, but it looks like it's connected to some original loom at some point!

Will start to disconnect one bit at a time and see what happens!

 

Mine doesn't even have the wiring in the doors for the locks anymore so the alarm is irrelevant lol.

If it's an immobiliser, things may get tricky.

I need to spend some time on it and get it all back together as I'm pretty much going to be back in work from next week.

 

It was the alarm system, car starts etc with it disconnected so binned it.

Running now, hopefully I'll get the bumper on tomorrow and take it for a spin.

 

Finally got it back together!

The air filter location is much better, before it was tucked at the back, behind the battery etc and almost resting on the gearbox! Should be able to find some cooler air up at the top there now!

My only concern is that I've bolted the battery holder to the plastic wheel well and I'm not sure how strong that is. I may fit a secondary steel tether bolted somewhere to the body as a precaution.

I even had the front bumper respayed so it looks a little less of a banger!

Ohh, I'm not to fond of the electric water pump that's resting against the side of the block! I may (probably not) alter that in the future as a precaution.