Good ways to add electrical connections?

[fields_mj]

I've got a new positive cable for the truck that I'll be installing in the next few weeks. I'd also like to be able to add additional electrical connections such as a medium size inverter down the road. Are there any simple mods that I can do to allow for that before I put in the new cable? Looking at the military style terminals, and the various options available for custom cables, it would appear like I just need to drill a hole through the middle terminal and run a flat head/low head/ or button head bolt up from the bottom. Should this work okay? Is there anything I should be aware of in advance? Should I just get alligator clips to go on the ends of my accessory cables instead? I'm not planning on having anything extra hooked up permanently. Only when I need it. Still seems like a ring terminal, stud, and wing nut would make for a better connection than an alligator clamp.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[gatorman21218]

i would NOT use aligator clamps as those would vibrate off. I just use ring terminals and put them on the stud after the original nut, then put another nut on the stud, sandwiching the rings. I also have an aux fuse block fed from the hot side of the starter solenoid.

What ever you do make sure its fused.

 

[redneckaggie]

g31's are availible with screw top lugs. Go to amazon and search for battery terminal and there are millions of availible options. me myself I would not drill and tap a battery lug from the top just because I would fear the stud would be way easier to spark against and how many of us actually disconnect the neg bat terminal before wrenching on the truck. I would just use alligator clips for temporary connections where the truck will not be moving. they are availible in multiple different amp rating and are just plain easy.

 

[madpogue]

All the main wiring for the truck is junctioned at the power-in terminal of the starter relay. That terminal just acts as a junction; the circuits don't go through the relay, of course. You can simply remove the nut, add a wire to that terminal and re-install the nut. I have a relayed headlight harness and a quick-disconnect for a trickle charger wired that way.

 

[warhog]

That's my plan gatorman, an aux fusebox.Where did you mount yours? I'm not tackling the project any time soon, but just been in my mind that I am going to have to install one.

 

[gatorman21218]

I mounted mine next to the coolant overflow tank.

Ive probably gone overboard with my wiring however. Its controlled chaos.

 

[fields_mj]

All the main wiring for the truck is junctioned at the power-in terminal of the starter relay. That terminal just acts as a junction; the circuits don't go through the relay, of course. You can simply remove the nut, add a wire to that terminal and re-install the nut. I have a relayed headlight harness and a quick-disconnect for a trickle charger wired that way.

That sounds like a pretty good option. I think I'll go that route. Thanks for all the ideas!