Fuse removal hassle on Saturn Outlook

[RV Vino]

We just purchased a 2010 Saturn Outlook. Along with the towing instructions the manual says to remove the batt 2 fuse to keep the battery from discharging. This is a 50 amp square fuse. I had heard people talk about wiring a pigtail or toggle switch in or through the fuse box. That way the fuse didn't have to be pulled every time. I went to a couple of auto parts stores and none of them had a 50 amp inline fuse or 50 amp toggle switch. Does anyone have an idea how I could work this out?

[Shellback1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Vino We just purchased a 2010 Saturn Outlook. Along with the towing instructions the manual says to remove the batt 2 fuse to keep the battery from discharging. This is a 50 amp square fuse. I had heard people talk about wiring a pigtail or toggle switch in or through the fuse box. That way the fuse didn't have to be pulled every time. I went to a couple of auto parts stores and none of them had a 50 amp inline fuse or 50 amp toggle switch. Does anyone have an idea how I could work this out?

Ok here is what you need. A toggle switch 30A, a 50 amp Automotive relay and a 50 amp fuse or circuit breaker (metal can type). On my 2006 Ion it has a 40A fuse, so I used a 40A breaker and relay. Here are some pictures. I wired the relay so that when it is de-energized it would put in the circuit breaker and when energized it opens a leg. Buy the way I cut a slice in the cover of the fuse box for the wires. I paralled off a hot 12v fuse in the console to feed the relay. And I coated the exposed relay terminals with liquid tape.

Good luck,
Ron

[Gary RVRoamer]

Any NAPA store ought to be able to get you a 50A fuse (called a Maxi fuse for that size) and also a switch rated for 50A (the usual auto store toggle switch isn't near big enough). I've attached a picture of the fuse & switch I put in my 2007 Acadia, sister to your Outlook.

The blue oval is the 50A inline fuse, the green is the switch mounted on the firewall (you can run it inside if you like), and the yellow is the connection to the fuse terminals. Standard crimp-on spade connectors will slide onto the terminals in the fuse box. Use automotive primary wire rated for 50A. 10 gauge works for distances as short as I am using in the photo, but it probably needs to be larger gauge to run inside the cab area (longer wire).

[Gary RVRoamer]

An alternate way to make it easier ois to get an aftermarket replacement fuse at a NAPA or other parts store. Most of the replacement 50A fuse 'cans' are taller than the OEM one and thus much easier to get a grip on. However, you still have to wrestle the cover off the fuse box. It was the cover hassle that inspired me to add the fuse. Now my wife does the fuse thing and interior switch positions while I do the tow bar and we are done in under two minutes.

[RV Vino]

Thanks for the feedback. Gary my fusebox looks exactly like the one in your Acadia. That looks like the fix I need.

[George Z]

Mine will be fairly easy on our 2011 Chevy Equinox as we only have to pull a 5 amp fuse. Will probably follow Gary's photo diagram . Nice looking cure for pulling the fuse.