Fuse Panel Location

Undecided where to mount the fuse panel in my 32 Roadster.

My first thought was to locate it behind the dash panel on the firewall but in holding it there I am concerned that too much of it would be hanging below the line of sight when looking in the car. Have thought about mounting it on a hinged panel that would mount it 90 degrees from what it would be if mounted to the firewall.. Then there is the panel behind the seat, I could mount it to be acessable from the trunk.

What has worked well for you guys.

Thanks

Mounting the panel further back in the car is a decent idea, you just need to make sure you have enough lead on the wiring to reach the front end components if you're using a prefabbed panel assembly. I've seen them under the seat, behind the seat, and in the trunk area. But I've done them up under the dash. If you're careful about placement it will tuck up nicely, and if you plan the wire routing away from the low end not much if anything will be visible unless someone gets down low, which doesn't happen often.

I went looking for pictures in my files but realized I didn't have any of the one's I've done for me that show worth a darn. However, here's one that a buddy did on his '32 roadster. This is a shot with the firewall removed, the panel is mounted high on the driver side. This will leave the fuses visible for servicing, and the plan was to route the wires behind the kickpanel, or across the underside of the cowl, or down through the toe kick.....depending on where the wires were going to end up. You can also see the panel where he mounted the headlight and ignition switches so that they are mostly out of sight and not cluttering the dash face.

The way my Son Dan did his fuse panel was to put it on a hinged panel that you can drop down to access the fuses. It's always tough laying on your back trying to change a fuse or fix some wiring issue. With this setup you just pull the panel down and it is right where you can see everything on the fuse block.

Sorry for the huge pictures, he takes all of his in the large size and I have no idea how to resize them. :o:o

Don

Don And Bob,
Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. My preference is to mount the fuse panel under the cowl and you have given me great ideas on how to do that.

....and mine, a Brookville '31 with added steel reinforcing. The module is in a space between the pass. compartment and the trunk and accessed by that trap door you see:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8...ld/wiring1.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8.../Wiringfun.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8.../Interior1.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i8...nterior3-2.gif

You do have to leave extra wire length so it can be fanned out along the floor and to run up behind the kick panels. I had to re run several that were left too short. What you see above - first two, are before final clean up/neaten up. The battery is in the trunk along with the master switch and starter solenoid and stereo system. Not much room left in a roadster, but what more do you need but a small cooler and your sun tan lotion.

(guess I had better reset the camera date - that was 2009, not 2006 when done)

I mounted mine high under the dash on my '34 using high strengh velcro to hold it to the firewall. With a little extra pigtail of wire above it, I can pull it down to work on. That's not as neat as Dan's hinge, but it works pretty well.

I also mounted mine high on the firewall but "glassed-in" a piece of 3/4 inch plywood to the firewall in order to have something to screw it to and as well as other things like relays and the wiring harness. Ten or so years ago, I had a '29 Ford roadster and I placed the module under the seat. That worked out quite well as there was so little room under the dash.

I'm not keen on up under the dash as you can garantee if a fuse pops it will be dark and raining :D
I like to put them under the seat or behind it.