Power point auto on/off
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Power point auto on/off
I'm running a couple of devices off the power points in my 05 SCrew and wondering if there's a way to have them (or at least one of them) auto on and off with the ignition. My PT has one that is constant hot and one that is on/off with the ignition. Very convenient. Radar detector, gps, all that stuff really doesn't need to be on except with the ignition......
Thanks!
Thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
easy.
1 get a standard 12v relay...any auto parts store has them for auxilliary lighting.
2 find a wire under the dash that is live with ignition switch on, and wire it to the coil of the relay; connect other side of relay coil to ground.
3 Cut the hot wire to the power point and use the "switch" side of the relay to connect the two cut wires together.
4 when ignition is on, relay will activate thereby connecting your two powerpoint leads together.
$5 job Good luck.
1 get a standard 12v relay...any auto parts store has them for auxilliary lighting.
2 find a wire under the dash that is live with ignition switch on, and wire it to the coil of the relay; connect other side of relay coil to ground.
3 Cut the hot wire to the power point and use the "switch" side of the relay to connect the two cut wires together.
4 when ignition is on, relay will activate thereby connecting your two powerpoint leads together.
$5 job Good luck.
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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That's great. Problem for me is with step #2. I've been querying high and low on various forums/threads to find out what color of wire to look for and have yet to get an answer.
You can't just start trial-and-error skinning wires and keep going 'til you find a good one. I've found that the subwoofer power wire is colored VT-LB. Since I don't have a SW, I'm gonna look for that one first.
What color is VT-LB?
You can't just start trial-and-error skinning wires and keep going 'til you find a good one. I've found that the subwoofer power wire is colored VT-LB. Since I don't have a SW, I'm gonna look for that one first.
What color is VT-LB?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
VT-LB = violet with light blue.
Edit: Here is a link for one set of standard colors. I think there may be some other standards as well, and I'm not sure that all of these are used in automotive wiring.
http://www.ul.com/plastics/abbreviations.html
If anyone has a link to an official Ford list, please post it.
Hank Murphy
2008 F150 XL
Edit: Here is a link for one set of standard colors. I think there may be some other standards as well, and I'm not sure that all of these are used in automotive wiring.
http://www.ul.com/plastics/abbreviations.html
If anyone has a link to an official Ford list, please post it.
Hank Murphy
2008 F150 XL
Last edited by HankMurphy; Jul 28, 2008 at 02:51 AM. Reason: Add Underwriters Lab link for wire colors.
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Thank you Hank! You got the same truck as me. I'm trying to find an unused circuit to tap into. Have you done that? There are several available.
Have you taken any trim off the dash? (radio surround) I'm trying to figure out how to get it off without breaking it. I'd like to install a CB in the lower centre dash, in front of the shifter.
Have you taken any trim off the dash? (radio surround) I'm trying to figure out how to get it off without breaking it. I'd like to install a CB in the lower centre dash, in front of the shifter.
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
Removing Radio Surround
Thank you Hank! You got the same truck as me. I'm trying to find an unused circuit to tap into. Have you done that? There are several available.
Have you taken any trim off the dash? (radio surround) I'm trying to figure out how to get it off without breaking it. I'd like to install a CB in the lower centre dash, in front of the shifter.
Have you taken any trim off the dash? (radio surround) I'm trying to figure out how to get it off without breaking it. I'd like to install a CB in the lower centre dash, in front of the shifter.
ChrisAdams had instructions on how to remove the radio surround at one time. They worked well for my 2005 XL. I'm at work or I'd run them down for you, but I think they are in his gallery.
Post the location if you find them, or let me know if you cannot and I will try to run it down tonight.
Hope I'm not running afoul of the off-topic police.
Oh yes, in terms of where to tap, the owner's manual has a good diagram. I guess you and I can tap into the electric pickup bed Jacuzzi canopy switch in the Platinum Lariat Hardley Ableson Ranch models.
)I haven't used this yet, but am looking into it:
Bussmann BP/HHH ATM Add-A-Fuse
They are probably available from an FTE sponsor, haven't looked very hard yet.
Cheers,
Hank Murphy
2008 F150 XL
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New User
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I will look for that thread. Yesterday I found the VT-BL subwoofer power wire! I was surprised, since I wasn't sure it would even be in the harness for my lowly XL, but its real easy to find. Its right behind the centre of the driver's seat. Just pull up the floor mat from the back wall and you'll see it in a gray plastic dead end plug, clipped to the harness.
Only problem is, its hot all the time. I thought it would have been a switched accessory. I might try finding another circuit, because I want it switched to prevent leaving lights on by mistake during the day and discharging battery. Now I'm going to try to hunt down the power seat wire. If I find it, I could use the SW wire for an inverter. Its in a great spot for one.
Only problem is, its hot all the time. I thought it would have been a switched accessory. I might try finding another circuit, because I want it switched to prevent leaving lights on by mistake during the day and discharging battery. Now I'm going to try to hunt down the power seat wire. If I find it, I could use the SW wire for an inverter. Its in a great spot for one.
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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Check out those Roush grills. For $80, makes your truck look like a million bucks. There's no diagram in my manual. What manual have you got?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
In your owners manual, look for the fuse section. There is a nice diagram which will show the fuse locations. I think there is a spare key-switched circuit, but I really haven't had to dig into that yet.
I got the Ford official accessory grille, which I think is the same as the Lariat Chrome package.
Hank Murphy
2008 F159 XL
I got the Ford official accessory grille, which I think is the same as the Lariat Chrome package.
Hank Murphy
2008 F159 XL
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