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Finding "switched power" source?

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Old Jun 20, 2015 | 07:17 PM
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Finding "switched power" source?

What's the best/easiest place to tap into a 12 volt power source that is turned off/on by the ignition key?
I have a supplemental braking system add-on that requires a "switched power" source.
Not off the battery (no switch there) and not off the fuse block (no switch there either).

My guess is that I need to find a power wire to the heater fan, power windows or other device that requires the key be in the on/acc position.

Question is; where to tap into that power source?
Any suggestions?
 
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Old Jun 20, 2015 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by pacnorwest
What's the best/easiest place to tap into a 12 volt power source that is turned off/on by the ignition key?
I have a supplemental braking system add-on that requires a "switched power" source.
Not off the battery (no switch there) and not off the fuse block (no switch there either).

My guess is that I need to find a power wire to the heater fan, power windows or other device that requires the key be in the on/acc position.

Question is; where to tap into that power source?
Any suggestions?
Do you have the upfitter switches? That would be my first choice.
 
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Old Jun 20, 2015 | 07:36 PM
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The upfitter switches are not appropriate. . .I need the system to be "ON" when the key is ON.
There are a bunch of "blunt cut" wires under the dash. I'm thinking something like the PTO wire - may I can tap into that. . .and hoping that someone has experience in that area.
 
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Old Jun 20, 2015 | 09:13 PM
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Fuse 10, 10a, feeds a Customer access wire in the right hand kick panel. The wire is White with Blue stripe and it is taped to harness near connector C210 which is a 59 pin connector.

The above info per 2015 Ford Service DVD
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 07:57 AM
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see if this helps..

Keep in mind I have a 2011 w/6.2L

I don't remember the exact location but this gives you an idea, multi meter or test light can handle the rest..

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I didn't have much luck with the passenger side fuse box down by the kick panel....Not enough room for a fuse tap so went under the hood and thru the firewall.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 08:54 AM
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The fuse block is HOT all the time, isn't it?
Or does the on/off switch activate the fuse block?

I did some fuse block testing with a meter and the key OFF - the fuse block was HOT all the time. . .even the empty blank fuse holder spots were hot.

The question is to have "switched" power - power that comes on when the ignition switch is turned on.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Just Strokin
Fuse 10, 10a, feeds a Customer access wire in the right hand kick panel. The wire is White with Blue stripe and it is taped to harness near connector C210 which is a 59 pin connector.

The above info per 2015 Ford Service DVD
I had the right side kick panel off yesterday.
By "customer access" wires, I assume that it means "blunt cut" wires.
There are NO blunt cut wires under the right side kick panel.

I pulled the side panel, the glove box and the under dash cover - and inspected for blunt cut wires: none found.
I also pulled up the trim covers along the edge floor passenger side: no blunt cut wires.

I will re-inspect the taped harnesses under the right side kick panel today.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by pacnorwest
The fuse block is HOT all the time, isn't it?
Or does the on/off switch activate the fuse block?

I did some fuse block testing with a meter and the key OFF - the fuse block was HOT all the time. . .even the empty blank fuse holder spots were hot.

The question is to have "switched" power - power that comes on when the ignition switch is turned on.
yes and no...

Most are hot, the one I used is switched I triple checked it with a test light..
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 09:42 AM
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Okay Mike! Good information there.
Your 2011 fuse block fuse locations are different than mine.
(I don't have it memorized but I see some minor variations in fuse locations.)

I'll do some testing and try to find a switched fuse location today also.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 09:56 AM
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On my 2011 its #51 as seen on the diagram in the owners manual..

ignition key on..

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ignition key off..

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YMMV....
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by pacnorwest
Okay Mike! Good information there.
Your 2011 fuse block fuse locations are different than mine.
(I don't have it memorized but I see some minor variations in fuse locations.)

I'll do some testing and try to find a switched fuse location today also.
I guess you posted as I was typing !!

good luck..
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 01:52 PM
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Very frustrating.
There is supposed to be a white/blue wire in the blunt cut bundle under drivers side dash.
It's even printed on the wire bundle tag as WH-BU RUN/ACC
But there is no white with blue stripe wire!

This would be the ideal place to tap into a "switch on" power source.
I've checked for power on several of the larger 18 gauge wires for power and no joy.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 01:59 PM
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bummer..

The only other thing I could think of would be tie into a constant hot, run it to a toggle switch, and make it switched by turning the toggle on/off.....kinda ghetto I know, but...
 
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 05:33 PM
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My guess is that maybe the driver's side blunt cut wires do not have fuses installed.
Ford could save a lot of money that way. I would have used one of the blunt cut wires if I knew which fuse slot worked for it.

Instead, I managed to install a fuse tap on the passenger side fuse block. (#33 Restraint control modual.)
There is just enough room next to the center relay. I had to cut an wire escape slot in the cover's side.
The cover will snap shut.
The fuse slot is hot only in the run position.

So. . .this will work but I wish that the blunt cut wires were of more use.
There should be a fuse for the PTO. . .but looking at the fuse block diagram, there's no PTO fuse. . .that seems kind of odd. Same for the RUN/ACC blunt cut wire. . . .there's no indication that it's fused. I'd like to do it proper but will have to forgo that for now.
 

Last edited by pacnorwest; Jun 21, 2015 at 05:34 PM. Reason: grammer :)
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Old Jun 21, 2015 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by pacnorwest
My guess is that maybe the driver's side blunt cut wires do not have fuses installed.
Ford could save a lot of money that way. I would have used one of the blunt cut wires if I knew which fuse slot worked for it.

Instead, I managed to install a fuse tap on the passenger side fuse block. (#33 Restraint control modual.)
There is just enough room next to the center relay. I had to cut an wire escape slot in the cover's side.
The cover will snap shut.
The fuse slot is hot only in the run position.

So. . .this will work but I wish that the blunt cut wires were of more use.
There should be a fuse for the PTO. . .but looking at the fuse block diagram, there's no PTO fuse. . .that seems kind of odd. Same for the RUN/ACC blunt cut wire. . . .there's no indication that it's fused. I'd like to do it proper but will have to forgo that for now.
thats good news..
 
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