Power for LED running lights

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Apr 10, 2017 | 10:16 AM

resopkr

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Power for LED running lights

Greetings!
I'm thinking of installing some LED's in the grill of my 2014 F-150 as running lights. Where can I splice into to get a 12v power source so that the LED's light up whenever the truck is running?

Thanks in advance!

Wayne C.

Apr 10, 2017 | 11:07 AM

ubereal2

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From: Lexington Mo

There's a fuse box under the hood. You'll need a 12 volt test light to see what fuse has power when the ignition is on. Once you find that fuse, then you can use that power.

Unk Bob

Apr 13, 2017 | 08:21 PM

resopkr

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ubereal2

There's a fuse box under the hood. You'll need a 12 volt test light to see what fuse has power when the ignition is on. Once you find that fuse, then you can use that power.

Unk Bob

Thanks Unk Bob! So I bought a fuse tap for mini fuses to take advantage of what you suggested using the fuse box under the hood. I tried several taps that I thought would be safe and not interfere with any crucial systems. Unfortunately they all ended up being hot. If I resort to trying to using the fuse tap on the fuse box inside the cab the cover will not close with a tap inserted. I'm guessing that some of the accessory ports inside the cab may only be hot while the engine is running. I really didn't want to have to run a wire for hot all the way in the cab to make this happen.

Wayne C.

Apr 14, 2017 | 12:00 PM

alloro

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From: 0,0,1

There is a switched 12v hot wire that goes to the COPs and the fuel injectors.

Apr 14, 2017 | 12:53 PM

resopkr

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Quote:

Originally Posted by alloro

There is a switched 12v hot wire that goes to the COPs and the fuel injectors.

That falls into the category of a crucial system that I don't want to monkey with.

Apr 19, 2017 | 10:35 PM

the_auto_tech

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From: Des Moines, IA

Fuse tap won't interfere as it has two fuses that operate separately.

Apr 20, 2017 | 06:12 PM

resopkr

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Quote:

Originally Posted by the_auto_tech

Fuse tap won't interfere as it has two fuses that operate separately.

Unfortunately using the fuse tap creates a situation where the power supplied by the tap from the fuse block, stays hot all the time, not what my needs required. I want the power to come on with engine start and back off at shut down just like any daytime running lights would work.

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Apr 20, 2017 | 08:06 PM

resopkr

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Quote:

Originally Posted by meborder

Try the fuse for the heated mirrors. Should be switched, non critical, and is located under the hood.

OK, Kewl.

I'll give that one a look see, to see if it is workable.

Apr 23, 2017 | 09:22 AM

#10

the_auto_tech

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From: Des Moines, IA

Quote:

Originally Posted by resopkr

Did you actually check all the fuses in the box in the engine bay? The ones on the right hand side of the fuse box are all switched key power. How do you think I wired up my DRLs on my aftermarket headlights? Mine literally turn on with key cycle on and turn off with key cycle off. Just like any other DRL out there.

Apr 27, 2017 | 07:16 AM

#11

resopkr

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Quote:

Originally Posted by the_auto_tech

Thanks! I went back and checked again on that part of the fuse block and found a slot that I could use. I must have been testing the wrong side of the fuse slot when testing previously.

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Apr 27, 2017 | 04:02 PM

#12

Xader

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That looks slick!

What lights did you use? I may want to try something similar in my '09

Apr 28, 2017 | 12:12 PM

#13

resopkr

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Xader

That looks slick!

What lights did you use? I may want to try something similar in my '09

I had some of these 12V 16.4Ft 5M LED Strip - Daylight White - LED Christmas Lights| LE® left over from where I installed bed lighting.

They have an adhesive 3M backing but I secured them with RTV Sealant on the inside edges of my grill. They aren't as bright in the daytime as they are at night because the LEDs are not facing forward. At night they reflect more light because of the chrome on the grill.

Edit: These will be brighter. http://www.lightingever.com/12v-led-...0066-dw-f.html

Last edited by resopkr; Apr 28, 2017 at 07:46 PM. Reason: up grade link