I've done some searching but really haven't come across a consensus........

I need power for my amps. I'm going to run a 12 volt wire under the truck and bring it in through the cab vent behind the seat. Where is the best place to tap the 12 volts under the hood??



Gary

Wish I had a pic to show you. Just installed mine recently. I came through the firewall w/ 4ga. wire, mounted the 120 amp waterproof fuseholder to the side of the underhood fuse box, and pigtailed it to the underside of the red positive terminal box where you hook jumper cables up at. I had to cut some slots out with a pair of dykes in the bottom of the box the size of the wire to really make it a clean install. Hooked it in with a huge gold plated ring terminal that bolts under the 18mm nut. Black split loomed it all and it looks factory. Hope this helps. :ro)

Went straight to the battery, terminal fused under hood about 10-12" away from the battery.

I haven't put my sound system in my new truck yet, but I plan on going straight from the battery when I do. I did that in my F350 a few years back and I didn't have any problems. I put a fuse holder about 6 inches from the battery and ran the 4 guage wire down in front of the firewall and along the frame to the back of the cab. There were some holes with rubber plugs in them at the back of the cab, I just cut a hole in the plug and used it as a grommet. I don't know if our chevy's are the same. Hope this helps,

-Matt

Thanks all for the input.





Gary

The battery, make sure your wire is in some good conduit to protect it.

I am an amateur radio operator who uses 12v mobile transceivers in vehicles, including my Duramax. Some equipment may have peak draw on the order of 80 amperes (linear RF amplifiers).

It is universally accepted in amateur radio practice that you should come directly from the battery with both positive and negative, and fuse both leads as close to the battery as possible.

What method do you all use to connect to the battery? Is there some special ring or bolt to go on the side terminal batteries? It will be a pretty heavy wire that I want to attach (#1).

I think I have abandoned the red box.

What method do you all use to connect to the battery? Is there some special ring or bolt to go on the side terminal batteries? It will be a pretty heavy wire that I want to attach (#1).

I think I have abandoned the red box.

Use one of these

http://images.cardomain.net/products/sti/STISGMBATT_1.jpg

Thanks! It is just what I was picturing in my mind's eye.

For my invertor 75A supply, I went to the mother lode. The jumpstart terminal in the little red box. My wire lug is literally contacting the alternator wire...and that's where the juice comes from most of the time (off idle).

And, FYI, marine stores sell high amperage waterproof 12 VDC breakers. I find them easier than fussy fuses.