Accessories, relays, and fuse boxes

[dadorfman]

I need a relay for each of the following:

fairing radio
auxiliary outlet
light bar
louder horns

Does it make sense to have so many relays or should I install a fuse box?

 

[kawabeemer]

Install one fuse block and power it thru a relay that only activates when the bike is on (switched by lights coming on is a good option). Make sure to use 10 or 12 gauge wire with an inline fuse between the battery and relay. Mount the relay/fuse block close to the battery; under the seat or a side cover are likely spots. You can then run a bundle of wires, suitably wrapped, from the fuse block to the steering head area. Be sure to include a 10 or 12 gauge ground wire in the bundle (I put a 6mm eyelet on the accessory end and use this for all the ground connections). Run as many wires as you have spots for fuses plus one for convenience.
I leaned, after a number of bikes, that it is easier to run wires once, rather than each time I wanted to add a farkle.
Autozone, O'Reilys, Advance, and NAPA all carry fuse blocks for around $10 with 6 or 8 fuse plugs. A standard 30 amp driving light relay will work.

 

[oneup]

my question is why do you say you NEED a relay for each item. depending on the total current draw, and the current rating of the relay, you could run all items through 1 relay.
as Kawabeemer said make sure you use a guage of wire capable of handling the total current. do you want to use a relay so that the items wont opperate if the ignition is off?
i would fuse between the battery and the power on side of the relay at above the total current draw of all items. the ignition input will only draw a very low current,
then each item should be fused as per the manufacturers recomendation.
if you can give a good description of what you want to achieve, im more than happy to do a circuit diagram for you

 

[Mr Orange]

I need a relay for each of the following:

fairing radio
auxiliary outlet
light bar
louder horns

Does it make sense to have so many relays or should I install a fuse box?

I think you should do both. Install a fuse panel along with 3 relays. The radio and aux outlet could be on one relay but the lights and horns should definitely have their own relays! When I wired up my Spyder I installed a separate harness with fuse block and a block of 7 separate relays for lights, heated gear, accessories and horns.

 

[John Luciano]

Radio and aux do not need relays. Overkill. Horn aux lights yes for sure
Radio and aux ( unless you plan to plug some high power device into the aux or are planning to add a big amp to the radio. ) do not use enough power.