2000 F250 PSD, Auto trans
Where can I hook up 12v (preferably switched accessory)?

 

I ran mine to the fuse panel

 

I found a hot-when-on wire under the dash bundled into the conduit with the PCM port. Ran the wire into a power conditioner then into my CB. I don't know why you want a switched power wire?

 

How did you do it? what color wire? where?

 

I took a volt meter and started poking the blunt cut wires in the bundle over the PCM port, and found one that's only hot when the key is turned on, I think it was blue with a colored chase on it. A friend of mine just ran a wire through the firewall and to the battery, then ran it through a power conditioner, that works too.

 

The 07's are different then the earlier models. The SD's with the PSD should have 4 customer access wires that run from under the dash, through the firewall, and stop near the master cylinder. You can use those if you want to hook up to the battery. As for a hot in run wire, I'll have to check where I tapped in for my gauges and get back to you.


EDIT: Here's where I tapped in. There are others under there but I'm not sure on colors. http://dieselmanor.com/diy/PSD3-gauge/image35.htm

 

direct to the battery is best.

 

I tapped mine into the hot-with-key-on wire that goes to the radio and changed the fuse to 30amp. When I turn on the key the CB comes on like the radio and also turns off when the key is off. Or, I can turn it off on the front. No problems yet and it has been in for 1 year.

 

If you are running any kind of power "big radio" you need to run both to the battery.

 

It's never a good idea to put a bigger fuse in without changing the wire size to match the fuse. If you have a short you may burn up the wire before the fuse blows.

 

I've run my tuned up 30 watt on that wire for over a year now, no problems. But yes, the 350 watt footheater was on its own line to the battery.

 

The point is not whether it will work. In normal use you're obviously drawing less than 30 amps, probably less than 20 amps (in which case you could use a 20 amp fuse). But if you have a short out on the end of a wire that was meant for a 20 amp circuit, what is going to burn out first - the 30 amp fuse or the 20 amp wire? Which would you rather have burn out?

 

...... and possibly cause a BIG FIRE????

 

Texastech - my comment above was meant for replacing the fuse with a bigger fuse. I agree with you, if you didn't change the fuse size, and it doesn't blow, there is no reason not to do it the way you did. But if you need more power than the factory fuse can supply, like your 350 watt amp, then you need to run the appropriate sized wire with fuse to the battery. Sounds like you did it right.

 

Like I said, no problems in a year... My CB is not a BIGUN' either. It's a new 1989 model Cobra 146GTL that was still in the original box without being opened in 20 years. I got lucky at a yard sale... All that I have done to it is add a swing kit to it and I DID check the amp draw while I was talking in the CB and had the radio on. It did not even draw 15 amps. I am only saying that it worked for me.