[scorpydude]

Hi all,

I've got about 4-5 things (UHF + Radio + Battery voltage monitor + Inverter) in the Sierra and each one gets a feed directly from the battery. I'm about to make them all relay activated so if i forget to turn one off - thats ok. I would rather just have a single massive accessories relay that turns on a '12v bank' like this - http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=SZ2001

Is it a good idea to consolidate 4+ relays into one really big one that activates a 12v 'rail' that i can just hook anything i want to be turned on by accessories onto in the future. Is this generally a good or bad idea?

Here is a horrible picture that might explain what i mean a little better then I can

[want33s]

I'd be running a Bosch mini relay triggered by accesories that provides trigger power to several other Bosch mini relays.
Power them all from a fused bus bar.
Using several of the same style means you always have the option of swapping them around to use as spares. Redundancy.
It'd be a bit more time consuming to wire but worth the effort I reckon.

What size inverter do you have?

[just_cruizin]

Go with Jason's version, probably cheaper in the long run too. If one fails that you really do need, ie radio, you can sway it for one you don't

[scorpydude]

Cheers Jason/Greg.

The inverter is either a 150watt or 300watt. We only use it for powering the laptop and hand held UHF charger or other small transformed device - ultimately i want to find a 12v cigarette power pack for these devices so we dont have to use the inverter.

[royce]

use a single relay that powers a distribution fuse panel, give the inverter its own relay as they can be pretty high current and your average fuse panel gets upset with higher loads

or yeah just piss it off, easier to power stuff with 12v or just leave it at home

If you are worried about relay failure, just grab a spare for your parts box