My '12 Super Duty came with four 12vdc power outlets; one in the dash by the driver's right knee, one in the dash by the passenger's left leg, one in the center console's storage compartment, and one in the backside of the console. They are all the standard cigarette lighter style and are more or less very useful.

But a lot of personal electronics these days are charged via USB connections and power including our iPhones and Kindles. Blue Sea makes a great USB port that is very high quality and easy to install. I removed the regular power outlet from the small dash panel and replaced it with the Blue Sea unit. It fit perfectly and snugly in the existing panel opening with no modification or drilling except to remove a couple of very small plastic tabs. I moved the power supply for this outlet from always hot to run/accessory so that it will be off when the truck is off. (The USB unit constantly uses a bit of electricity to convert 12vdc down to 5vdc so it's a good idea to make sure the unit is not hot when the truck is shut down.)


For those that are interested, the Blue Sea part number is 1016. It can be found at marine supply stores. Online, I buy my Blue Sea items on Ebay. I found this one for about $23 including shipping which is about the best price I have ever seen on this item.

 

Aren't some of your power outlets switched on the truck, and some on all the time? Not sure but I thought so.

 

Not on my truck. All four came hot all the time.

I switched the hot leads for the the relay control of the upfitter switches (10 amp circuit) and the hot lead for this one power outlet (20 amp fuse, but replaced with a 10 amp one) so the upfitter switches now work with the truck off and this outlet is now controlled by run/accessory.

Ford shows some Customer Access fused circuits on the fuse panel in the cab, but I'm not finding the associated wires so that I could actually use those circuits.

 

Hello all Just found this post and saw SteveC7010 posting of the hot leads for upfitter switches and 12v plug. Where did you make the swap for the power? At the fuse panel? I'd like do this mod on my 2013 SD.

Also, Is there a way to add constant power to the USB outlets? I'd like to be able to leave my phone charging when I'm not in the truck and keep it concealed in the compartment in the center of the dash.

Thanks,

Oscar

 

There's an extra wire in the blunt cut bundle where the four aux wires are. It's run/acc switched +12vdc. The color is WH/BL. I spliced into that and ran a short wire over to where I installed the USB outlet along with a ground.

Your regular cigarette lighter style power outlets are always hot. I'd use a regular car charger (instead of the USB) and plug it into the outlet in the console. Or plug a USB adapter in there. Or tap off those wires and install your USB outlet where ever you want it.

NOTE: If you don't have it already, get the applicable sections of the Body Builders book, especially the Electrical part. https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...3/maintoc.html

 

Thank you for the quick reply,

I will do that. Much appreciated

Oscar