1993 Nissan Maxima V6 130,000

I have an aftermarket stereo, headlights, and a new stronger battery. I recently starting having a problem where the dashlights and tail lights don't come on, unless I hit the brake, then the lights come on. The fuse that controls the dashlights and tail lights keeps blowing since this started. Initially, though, the dashlights would come on when I hit the brake, but now just the tail lights come on when I hit the brake. Car is otherwise not having electrical problems. Removed the stereo to double check there were no sparking wires, which there weren't, and we re-wrapped each individual wire. If a larger fuse is put in, everything works for about an hour of driving time, then the fuse blows again. My friend could probably fix the problem if we could figure out what it is.