Direct HOT Connect
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Direct HOT Connect
Thanks guys for a great site. I hope I'll be able to contribute back half of what I gain here!
I utilize a Ryobi battery charger for my tool batteries and want to mount the 12V car-charger directly in my cab. Is there a point where this makes the most sense (I don't want to use one of my upfitter switches)? I'm willing to cut off the male end to do the direct wiring.
And I know you're wondering why? The reason is the 12V power recepticle doesn't seem to be reliable. Many times, I come back to the truck to find my charger is not working and I have to twist the connection to start charging the battery.
I utilize a Ryobi battery charger for my tool batteries and want to mount the 12V car-charger directly in my cab. Is there a point where this makes the most sense (I don't want to use one of my upfitter switches)? I'm willing to cut off the male end to do the direct wiring.
And I know you're wondering why? The reason is the 12V power recepticle doesn't seem to be reliable. Many times, I come back to the truck to find my charger is not working and I have to twist the connection to start charging the battery.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,752
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From: Stillwater, OK
you could just run a wire of sufficent gauge (with a fuse of course) to the cab and connect it like that...
put in a toggle switch if you don't want it to always be on...
ground it to the frame.
put in a toggle switch if you don't want it to always be on...
ground it to the frame.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
I would run a new power wire for it. Probably 8-10 ga so you can supply plenty of current and use it for other additions later on. I'd suspect a 10A fuse will probably do, but check in the cig lighter plug to see what they have it fused for. You can generally unscrew the end near the plunger and a glass round fuse will slide out, on one of the ends it will list it's amperage.
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So what I'm understanding is that there are no existing constant hot wires made available to us? If I want to supply direct power, I would need to run a fused wire from the battery?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
I would. There maybe hot circuits available, but they have other intended uses and are gauged for the stock demand only. The manufactures can save a few pennies on each vehicle by using the smallest wires that carry the current of what they put in. Plus with the smaller wires you'll see more voltage drop than if you used a wire sized for your draw and length.
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OK, you guys are confirming what I probably already knew. No quick, simple, easy (read lazy) solution!
With that, I know this has probably been beat to death, but where is the best place to introduce a new wire into the cab?
With that, I know this has probably been beat to death, but where is the best place to introduce a new wire into the cab?
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
An easy solution would be to put a cigarette lighter plug on your battery charger and use the cigarette lighter or power point.
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The battery charger has a cig plug on it. It is the car charger for Ryobi tools. The problem is it doesn't really fit well in the cig lighter or 12V Power Point. Vibration from driving or closing a door can make it lose connection. I want to direct wire it to prevent this.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
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From: WV
Here's my favorite place to bring wires in and out of the cab. Its just a plastic plug that pops out of the firewall, near the brake booster. I like drilling this plug better than I do the firewall 
This plug might not be there on a manual trans truck though...?
This plug might not be there on a manual trans truck though...?
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I have an '06 and do have the pass through cables. Of course, I was planning on using those for my upfitter switches (aux lighting (front); trailer hook-up lights; high-idle) for all those really cool things I'm learning about on this forum!
Of course, this begs the question, how many pass-through wires are in the bundle? I'll have to go look.
Of course, this begs the question, how many pass-through wires are in the bundle? I'll have to go look.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: WV
My truck had four pass through wires, although their not the biggest gauge wiring... maybe 12 or 14 AWG..?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Slatington, PA
All the diagrams I've seen show 4 wires that are 14 awg. If you want larger, you'll have to pull your own. The place shown in the picture above is the easiest if you have an auto trans.
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I'm gonna play some this weekend. This looks like the place for me to drill. I have an auto trans and my inspection confirms 4 wires that I would rather hold for my upfitter switches.