Where to buy a MICRO blade fuse wire tap kit? (Car, 12V)

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josephhinvest

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#202117 17-Sep-2016 22:24

I want to hardwire my dash cam, it can be connected directly to 12V. The fuses in my car are what Wikipedia calls low-profile mini fuse, but are also called Micro blade fuses.

I bought one of these from Jaycar but it's the wrong size, being MINI.

This image shows the correct MICRO fuse piggyback holder that I want but can't find one locally.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Joseph

richms

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#1632339 17-Sep-2016 22:57

Whats wrong with the alixpress listing that image came from? 99c delivered is basically free IMO

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Add-A-Circuit-Standard-Mini-Micro-Blade-Fuse-Boxes-Holder-Piggy-Back-Fuses-Tap/32670421308.html

Richard rich.ms

josephhinvest

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#1632343 17-Sep-2016 23:06

richms:
Whats wrong with the alixpress listing that image came from? 99c delivered is basically free IMO

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Add-A-Circuit-Standard-Mini-Micro-Blade-Fuse-Boxes-Holder-Piggy-Back-Fuses-Tap/32670421308.html

hw

Yep potentially, shipping times are 17-35 days and I'd really like to get it done within the next week before upcoming road trip.
I could get one off Amazon that may be a bit quicker. Really just want to buy one from a shop
Cheers,
Joseph

Bung

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#1632346 17-Sep-2016 23:46

Apparently the contacts have the same spacing, a mini will plug in but obviously will stick up. Is there a cover over the fuses that will be a problem?

josephhinvest

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#1632365 18-Sep-2016 08:11

Bung: Apparently the contacts have the same spacing, a mini will plug in but obviously will stick up. Is there a cover over the fuses that will be a problem?

I've wondered about this but am reluctant to try (new car!) in case I damage the fuse receptacle. I don't think there would be a problem if I used two mini fuses for this instead of micro ones?
Maybe I'll try in the older car and see if it works.

Thanks!

Edit. To actually answer your question, it does look like there would be enough room, there's quite a space between the fuse panel and the cover (drivers side footwell)

k1w1k1d

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#1632398 18-Sep-2016 11:00

I hate those horrible fuse wire taps! Mini and Micro blade fuses are bad enough, without having a wire tap hanging off them.

These wire taps look ugly, they often make it hard to access other fuses, can loosen fuse holder terminals, etc, etc.

If you must use one, ensure that you install it with the correct orientation. The extra fuse must be connected to the unfused side of the original fuse, not the fused side.

Mini and Micro fuses have similar contact dimensions, so the Jaycar part may fit?

I would suggest that you have a word with the workshop guys at the dealer for your new car, or your friendly local auto electrician. They will be able to offer you a better solution to get a suitable power supply.

Micro fuses are next to impossible to remove with your fingers, so I hope that you carry a small pair of pliers to remove one if it blows.

lxsw20

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#1635384 18-Sep-2016 12:01

Why not just use pigtail scotch locks and run it from the cigarette lighter/stereo?

josephhinvest

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#1635390 18-Sep-2016 12:39

lxsw20:
Why not just use pigtail scotch locks and run it from the cigarette lighter/stereo?

Yep I've successfully hidden all the wiring and would like it to be invisible. Also want to keep the cigars lighter free for chargers etc.

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josephhinvest

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#1635391 18-Sep-2016 12:43

k1w1k1d:
I hate those horrible fuse wire taps! Mini and Micro blade fuses are bad enough, without having a wire tap hanging off them.

These wire taps look ugly, they often make it hard to access other fuses, can loosen fuse holder terminals, etc, etc.

If you must use one, ensure that you install it with the correct orientation. The extra fuse must be connected to the unfused side of the original fuse, not the fused side.

Mini and Micro fuses have similar contact dimensions, so the Jaycar part may fit?

I would suggest that you have a word with the workshop guys at the dealer for your new car, or your friendly local auto electrician. They will be able to offer you a better solution to get a suitable power supply.

Micro fuses are next to impossible to remove with your fingers, so I hope that you carry a small pair of pliers to remove one if it blows.

Yes the tiny fuses are certainly fiddly. Old car has a pair of plastic tweezers for extracting them, tucked away in the fuse box. New car doesn't seem to have one.
I agree it's not a amazing solution but is one I'm capable of doing myself!

k1w1k1d

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#1635398 18-Sep-2016 13:06

"Why not just use pigtail scotch locks and run it from the cigarette lighter/stereo?"

Don't get me started on those. Probably one of the worst things ever ever invented in the automotive industry.

blakamin

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#1635413 18-Sep-2016 13:27

k1w1k1d:

"Why not just use pigtail scotch locks and run it from the cigarette lighter/stereo?"

Don't get me started on those. Probably one of the worst things ever ever invented in the automotive industry.

AMEN... When I was working in trailers, 95% of wiring problems were scotchloks.

k1w1k1d

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#1635447 18-Sep-2016 15:13

Same here. Lost count of the number of times I crawled out of bed in the middle of the night to fix faulty truck and trailer lights caused by scotch locks.

Just as well I was single in those days. The call out fees helped to pay the mortgage though.

lxsw20

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#1635628 18-Sep-2016 22:17

josephhinvest:
lxsw20:

Why not just use pigtail scotch locks and run it from the cigarette lighter/stereo?

Yep I've successfully hidden all the wiring and would like it to be invisible. Also want to keep the cigars lighter free for chargers etc.

It still would be with scotch locks.

They have their uses. Perfect for something low current and not as critical as tail lights.

josephhinvest

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#1639162 23-Sep-2016 08:40

An update. Didn't think to take a photo of course.
All done. I bought a cigarette lighter socket with a premade tail. (Decided to do this instead of cutting the plug end off the dash cam cable, now camera can be easily replaced in future, the mods could all be removed in 10 mins if necessary).
Crimped the positive wire into the piggyback output, crimped a fork lug onto the negative.
Did lots of checking and double checking with borrowed multimeter and be absolutely sure everything was the right way around.
Removed the cigarette lighter fuse and installed a replacement mini fuse into piggyback. Installed new fuse into piggyback for new circuit. Plugged in the piggyback fuse (easy!) and connected the negative to car ground.
Everything works!
The hardest bit was securing the cable under the dash, was a bit of a PITA.

Thanks for comments and advice.

Cheers,
Joseph