3D Printing Accessory fuse box

[Jcmeadows82]

So this will be my first (hopefully of many) post about some of the things that I am doing with my 4Runner. This idea started with the desire to add several wired accessories into my 4Runner and I needed a solution that appeased my OCD'ness. The idea for this came from this video I watched on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvFHA1xY10w

I liked his idea, but I didn't like not having all of the electronics not in some sort of enclosure. I didn't need a waterproof enclosure, just something that would provide a minimum level of protection.

Here are some links to the Relay's, Fuse block, breaker, and Ground block I used, a well as the waterproof connectors I will be using:

Breaker for Accessory Box direct feed:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JFBY2OU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Relays with harness:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RWWZ7P2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s06?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ground Terminal:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0763D87ZG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s05?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fuse Block:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AFQRLG4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cool waterproof solder connectors: (these things are awesome! no solder gun needed and they are SOLID)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C3NBTJ9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

great waterproof plugs: (these come in all sorts of shapes and sizes)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FP1HXJ4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Basically I created this 3d model in sketchup, and will be printing it on a prusa i3 mk2 in ABS filament. The base will attach to the 4runner via all thread and washers between the firewall and the airbox (I will be drilling a few holes in the wheel well and treating the allthread and nylock nuts with a high grade sealant and paint), the walls of the fuse box attach to the base using a few convex/concave bumps to secure it, the top will attach to the walls with a couple latches and some guide pins.

I am thinking that I will use some sticky insulating foam strips between the cap and the walls to create a bit of tension between the lid and walls as well. Anyway here are the pictures of the Design. If you want to see more of it let me know, I can post pics of it from any angle.

The small funky shaped plate in front of the box is the mount I am printing to attach the breaker to the 4runner. I will also post pics of where that will be going. I am using Rivet nuts to attach the breaker plate to the car as there were two nice holes already there.

 

[gfxcruncher]

This looks pretty cool, But... why not just wire up a Bussmann?

 

[Jcmeadows82]

Those are pretty sweet! I didn't know such a thing existed and might have done something like that, however, now I am having to much fun creating my own setup. Probably would have been cheaper as well. Ahh well, at this point I am in the middle of the process, so I will just keep building. I will post pics this week when I start the printing.

 

[Mike07SE]

Looks interesting. I've got zero 3D printing experience but I've tried to see what I could fab in that spot before for fuses/relays. Can't wait to see the final product!

 

[snowboardwcu]

This idea started with the desire to add several wired accessories into my 4Runner

cool idea. hopefully this doesn't get mod-deleted but i've got a bussman RTMR i got off the forum here on a GB a few years back. never used it, lost interest in doing the work. think i paid $220 for it, could unload for $150+shipping if your interested.

PM i'll send pics and details.

 

[BackOff]

Hmmm, the Chinese beat you to it....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Fuse-B...m=152942304041&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Some neat ones with cool little switch panels too...Mictuning it was.

 

[truckhigh]

Hmmm, the Chinese beat you to it....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Fuse-B...m=152942304041&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

Some neat ones with cool little switch panels too...Mictuning it was.

i have this on and it takes a lot of tweaking to get it to work. I had to tighten every spade butterfly and you have to hold the wire before pushing in the relay. i also taped above the fuses cause they would fall out.

keep up the good work man!!! if everybody used bolt on parts only, then their rigs would look exactly the same.

 

[BackOff]

i have this on and it takes a lot of tweaking to get it to work. I had to tighten every spade butterfly and you have to hold the wire before pushing in the relay. i also taped above the fuses cause they would fall out.

keep up the good work man!!! if everybody used bolt on parts only, then their rigs would look exactly the same.

As per my normal I guess I come off sounding like a dik.
I just saw these boxes a few days back and was thinking I needed to do a little upgrade...need more lights I guess.

Just trying to save a buck.

If I had a 3D printer I might be inclined to make my own stuff too.

Keep on printing.

I bet it will look better than my version.

 

[Jcmeadows82]

Bottom plate "done"

Ran into a snag with my 3D printer that forced me to delay the print a bit. I finally printed the base a couple days ago. It needs to be "finished" (sanded and painted if i care....). I will be starting the walls and top this week and hopefully have those done and posted up here over the next week or two. Then its off to the install! I will get some fasteners and mount the fuse box and ground rail to it and post those pics as well.

 

[Jcmeadows82]

As per my normal I guess I come off sounding like a dik.
I just saw these boxes a few days back and was thinking I needed to do a little upgrade...need more lights I guess.

Just trying to save a buck.

If I had a 3D printer I might be inclined to make my own stuff too.

Keep on printing.

I bet it will look better than my version.

Actually this is what I started with wanting.... I am just a bit OCD and started looking at ways I could make it my own. This is definitely not for everyone, but as the forum has nothing like it I thought id put it out there. no offense taken and why not post what you have done? Doesn't hurt my feelings and might give me ideas I can adapt to my project. :thanks: As long as we stick to the whole Fuse box idea in general.

 

[Jcmeadows82]

Well, Got the ground and fuse block mounted. The design for the nuts on the bottom were a bit small so the nuts had to be forced into their slots. Not to shabby for a blind design (I had no calipers to measure nuts then create 3d representations of them). So I am pretty happy with it.

 

[Jcmeadows82]

On the topic of fuse boxes. I wired up a small secondary block under the center console for any USB power needs I may have. Main feed is on a relay and the whole block is behind a 15 amp fuse. the single USB ports are behind a 4 amp fuse, with a double USB sitting behind a 7.5. I was surprised how well a relay and box fit under there. Also including pics of the connectors and really sweet solder-gun-less in-line connectors I used as I love them.