Watson's wiring kit, instalation ideas?

[super vw]

Well i have a watsons kit on the way and wanted to see what people thought about the fuse panel location. it could go with the stock location but then it would be exposed under the dash and working up in there seams kinda funky. so i was thinking about mounting the fuse panel either in the trunk in the corner near the shock mounts. OR in the back near the stock battery location (or on the drivers side). what do you guys think.. i need some opinions.

-Jonathan

[Ron Roberts]

In the trunk in front of the stock fuse panel. Do it nice and clean and it becomes a nice feature.

Ron

[super vw]

forgot to mention this is a 74 super;)

[hybrid_john]

Actually the trunk area would work out nicely, but so would under
the back seat on the driverside....
here's an idea, with what ever location that you choose, to protect the fuse panel and make it accesable, use MDF to make a mount ( maby like a little box or something) and carpet it with the same carpet color you are using and cover the top of the mount with plexi-glass I'm doing this with my fuse panel and putting neon inside but I decided to mount my fuse panel in the dash, along with the amps, speaker, video screens, and distribution bloks ( all carpeted the same and plexied where nessesary);)
Hope that helps give you an idea!

later,
john

[hybrid_john]

Ooooooops....
I didn't mean dash i meant under the trunk

my mind was some where else at the moment...

[super vw]

Well after thinking about this long and hard, and trial fitting it in places (Behind drivers seat, in trunk in over 4 locations) i found it to be most out of harms way in the trunk on the pasengers side where there is a little clearing above the gas tank right next to the fresh air box/whiper motor area. i made a little bracket and flattened around the area where the bracket mounts (becuase there is a hump where the glove box sits on the other side) so now its mounted nice and solid and out of harms way, i do want to make a little box or cover for it, just to clean up wires and protect it even more.

Also, does any one know how to do the alternator wiring along with the head light switch and turn signal switch?

Later
Jonathan

[randyj]

Jonathan,

Can you post a picture of your fuse pannel? I would like a better look at one other than the picture on their web site.

What kind of fuses are used?

Thanks,
Randy

[randyj]

Jonathan,

Can you post a picture of your fude pannel? I would like a better look at one other than the picture on their web site.

What kind of uses are used?

Thanks,
Randy

[super vw]

At this time i can take pics, i dont have a digital camera becuase i lost it, but will be geting one soon.

The fuse box is taller than one might expect, its a good 3 1/2 inches tall by about 5 inches long and some 3 inches in depth, not counting the cage style wire terminals... that adds about 2 inches to the depth.
It uses the colored blade style fuses like in newer cars.

[super vw]

well i made a box out of carboard to test fit an idea for a box to mount the fuse panel in. it should work out, im making it tomorrow at work (i make/build custom cabinets). its going to have a plexi glass door that slides open to change fuses. this box with house the panel along with the headlight dimmer relay (i used the stock relay and switches for the head lights and dimmer). i think i will cover it in a carpet or maybe paint it with a hard, ruged looking paint (like crackle paint maybe) im not sure yet.

[hybrid_john]

Right On man!:)
It sounds good... I'd like to see it when you get another camera(I'm kinda in the same boat, but I never had a digital camera and I dont have a scanner to post pics with), I'd like to see how your box turns out with the plexi-glass,

just remember if you use a sliding-door setup make sure you use a clasp or lock or something to hold the plexi in place, I'v built boxes witht the same sliding-door tecniuqe and when I turned in the direction the door opens it had the tendancy to slid open, maby the workmanship was bad or something!

:o

[super vw]

LOL... Thanks for the reminder so the door wont slide open, i didnt think of that. i will rig up somthing to keep it put, maybe just make the door tight so it wont slide out.

Also do you think i should make vents, or do relays and fuse boxes stay fairly cool?

Later
-Jonathan

[hybrid_john]

For the most part relays and fuse boxes do stay pretty cool, unless you run some serious voltage through them, but I think you should be fine with the fuse panel you got.
Although it would hurt to put a vent on it, maybe just a 4mm slit at the top along the length of the box, but you wouldn't REALLY have to if you don't want to...

16 fuses in a VW.... I wouldn't worry about it!;) :D

[super vw]

well i got the box made today, took me a good 2 hours :P but it has a sliding door (didnt use plexi glass) that looks seamless once closed, it turned out very well.

I will take pics of every thing once i get a camera again.

-Jonathan

[hybrid_john]

Good for you man...two hours should do it!

I really looking forward to seeing some pics!:D

[super vw]

PICS! nothing is totaly mounted yet and i plan on finishing the box off black (maybe thin carpet, maybe paint or both not sure)

[super vw]

more..

[super vw]

another..

[super vw]

you ask whats inside... take a look :D

[hybrid_john]

Super that looks really good...great job man!:D

BTW. you said nothing is really mounted yet, well if the fuse panel isn't mounted in yet you can use some speaker-box carpet, its really thin and doesn't tear very easily, plus it can fit into any shape or corner... you might even think about carpeting the inside of the box for a cozy feel to the whole thing?!

But GREAT job any which way you do it....

Keep up the good work man! :D

John

[super vw]

yep... speaker box carpet :D, i still have a little left over from when i built a sub box for my Audi 4000 Quatro. Now i just need to find that good uplostery spray glue again (on one has it any more :()

Thanks for the kinds words ;)
-Jonathan

[hybrid_john]

No problem man, thats what I'm here for...

BTW, if you eveer find the glue let me know who it's made by, I havent found a good high quality glue for carpet, and I'm gonna really need one!:)

John

[SuperRSi]

We use a lot of the spray glue by 3m, called Spray Adhesive 90. You can find it in hardware stores sometimes or try an upholstery shop.

Thanks,

Randy

[Ron Roberts]

I used contact cement made by Weldwood. I aplied it to both surfaces with a brush. That way it goes on thick to fill in the pebble texture of the carpet backing and also if there is any dirt or dust that you were not able to clean up, the brushing penetrates it. On the downside, if you ever want to change it, you will need to dip your car in some bad chemicles.

ron