Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

stealing power from overhead console

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 14, 2014 | 04:06 PM
  #1  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
stealing power from overhead console

I'm installing a dash cam in my 2002 F150 and I'd like to get power for it from the overhead console. This will give me a switched power supply, which I want.

My question is,the dashcam draws 1000mA (1 amp) of power. Is there enough to spare in the overhead console? I'll have to step down the voltage from 12 VDC to 5 VDC, but I'm wondering if taking 1 amp from the OH console's power will interfere with its function.

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2014 | 05:08 PM
  #2  
DIYiT's Avatar
DIYiT
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
Club FTE Gold Member
What are you thinking about powering it off of? I guess I'm not thinking of anything other than interior lights in the overhead console. Either way, 1 amp isn't much so you'll most likely be OK. Especially if whatever circuit you're pulling power from is an intermittent use item.
 
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2014 | 05:50 PM
  #3  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
yeah, maybe... there are no map lights, just the led digital display for outside temp and compass, so it may only draw a small amount. The console is on a 10 amp fuse shared with a bunch of other things, so I suspect it will be ok...

Since I'm going to have to identify and splice into the 12 VDC power line and the ground wire, I'll be able to put my multimeter on it to measure the amps used by the console.

We'll see how it goes and I'll report back here.
 
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2014 | 01:46 PM
  #4  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Well, I got the OH console cover off, and i see that the display is connected with a modular plug that holds six wires, The supply wires are colored red, white, blue, green and a couple of other pastel colors.

Do you guys have any clues as to which ones might be 12VDC and/or ground?

If i get my multimeter, or even a test light probe in there, will there likely be only one hot wire?

Is there by any chance wiring diagrams for this?

Thanks


 
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2014 | 06:34 PM
  #5  
first today's Avatar
first today
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
Club FTE Silver Member

I can not help with your problem, but I would like some info on your dash cam please. Are you going to record? I am interested in installing a camera also.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2014 | 01:23 AM
  #6  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by first today
I can not help with your problem, but I would like some info on your dash cam please. Are you going to record? I am interested in installing a camera also.
The one I got is called OJOCAM, and you can find out all the info at ojocam.com. It seems like a sturdy, well built unit and so far it has worked fine.

It records to a mini-sd card which you can then insert into a PC, or you can transfer the file from the cam via a supplied USB cable.

Check it out, look at the videos, and check out the videos at techmoan.com. He's got a Youtube video for beginners information on dash cams and another review on the same type of dashcam as the ojocam.

As I progress with this installation, I'll post more info here, but feel free to ask questions here after you've seen the website.

See ya
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2014 | 01:34 AM
  #7  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
In the matter of tapping into the power in the OH console, I finally managed to find my flashlight, so I can now identify the color of the six wires.

And, in doing further research someone mentioned using the Hayes (Haynes?) books for the wiring diagrams, which he suggested would be available at the library.... so I'm going to see if i can find that wiring diagram at our local library.

What I need specifically, is a chart which shows the wire color and function of the six wires that feeds the OH console.

The console has a compass, a temperature display, a display on/off switch and so i want to be sure I tap into the right wires.

I need to identify which one is 12VDC and which one is ground. I probably could do trial and error with my multimeter, and identify them that way, but I'd prefer to have the docs.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2014 | 08:32 AM
  #8  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Ok, so I got the color of the wires clearly identified.

There's six of them that feed the connector block, into two rows of three...

row 1
white
purple with black stripe
blue with orange stripe

row 2
black
blue with red stripe
red with black stripe.

I strongly suspect that the black and white wires are the 12VDC, but I'm going down to the library shortly to see if i can find a Haynes manual that has a wiring diagram, just to be sure.

If I can't find it, I'll try testing them with my multimeter and see what i can discover.

As you can probably tell, I'm no expert at this, so if you gyuys have any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 18, 2014 | 06:42 AM
  #9  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Well, I could not find a good wiring diagram at the library...

Any of you guys able to help?
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2014 | 09:21 AM
  #10  
PeterAL's Avatar
PeterAL
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Hmmmm over 140 views but no answers....

I've done a bit more research, but have been unable to find any wiring diagrams at the library.

I took my little test lamp and stuck it in the white wire jack and it is 12VDC and is switched from the ignition switch, so that is what i want... and it seems none of the other connections are live, although I have it disconnected from the console, so perhaps there's current there when connected.

But I pretty confident that the white wire is my 12VDC.

I also used my multimeter to check for continuity to a ground connection. The black wire WAS connected to ground but then so were many of the other pins, so I'm not sure that the black wire is the designated ground.

I'd be glad to hear from you if you have any suggestions.

Thanks
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
c delisio
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
0
Jul 5, 2016 09:38 PM
GobblinTom
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
15
Dec 22, 2012 03:21 PM
cedman
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Oct 16, 2010 09:53 AM
peter.jones
2009 - 2014 F150
4
Jun 6, 2009 04:38 PM
richsoucie
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
6
Dec 13, 2008 06:09 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:47 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE