Powerpoint (Cigarette Lighter) Install
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Powerpoint (Cigarette Lighter) Install
Hello all, looking for a little help. Now that the snow is off the ground I wanna start doing some of my winter dreaming projects.
1st one I want to do is add a couple powerpoints in my truck. I need 2 on the drivers side and plan on putting down under dash on drivers side and passenger side. Drivers side will be used for A) GPS B) Satellite Radio C) Spot light. Pass side will almost always be used for Spot light.
Here is my ? to y'all. Where can I draw the power from and what guage wire should I use? Should I run a distribution block or run each one on it's own power run? Is there any plug that is better than another? Just worried cause of the fact that spot light stays on for long period of time and don't want fire ect.
Thank you if someone can help me!
1st one I want to do is add a couple powerpoints in my truck. I need 2 on the drivers side and plan on putting down under dash on drivers side and passenger side. Drivers side will be used for A) GPS B) Satellite Radio C) Spot light. Pass side will almost always be used for Spot light.
Here is my ? to y'all. Where can I draw the power from and what guage wire should I use? Should I run a distribution block or run each one on it's own power run? Is there any plug that is better than another? Just worried cause of the fact that spot light stays on for long period of time and don't want fire ect.
Thank you if someone can help me!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
Power points are usually in the 30 amp supply range. Since you are going to be running a spotlight, and you probably want as much light as possible, I would come off the battery a very short distance, and then mount a 30 amp circuit breaker. These are the little gold colored boxes you can buy at the autoparts stores hanging on the fuse rack. Come out of the circuit breaker and run the wire through the firewall and to your powerpoint assembly. Use 10 gauge wire for all of this.
This will give you 30 amps for both, which should be enough for the radio and the spotlight. If you are going to run something else like a power inverter or something else that draws a lot of power, you can run two circuit breakers and two 10 gauge wires side by side so you have 30 amps for each powerpoint.
All this is assuming you want power all the time to the powerpoint. If you want it to turn on and off with the keyswitch, you will have to add a relay.
This will give you 30 amps for both, which should be enough for the radio and the spotlight. If you are going to run something else like a power inverter or something else that draws a lot of power, you can run two circuit breakers and two 10 gauge wires side by side so you have 30 amps for each powerpoint.
All this is assuming you want power all the time to the powerpoint. If you want it to turn on and off with the keyswitch, you will have to add a relay.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Power points are usually in the 30 amp supply range. Since you are going to be running a spotlight, and you probably want as much light as possible, I would come off the battery a very short distance, and then mount a 30 amp circuit breaker. These are the little gold colored boxes you can buy at the autoparts stores hanging on the fuse rack. Come out of the circuit breaker and run the wire through the firewall and to your powerpoint assembly. Use 10 gauge wire for all of this.
This will give you 30 amps for both, which should be enough for the radio and the spotlight. If you are going to run something else like a power inverter or something else that draws a lot of power, you can run two circuit breakers and two 10 gauge wires side by side so you have 30 amps for each powerpoint.
All this is assuming you want power all the time to the powerpoint. If you want it to turn on and off with the keyswitch, you will have to add a relay.
This will give you 30 amps for both, which should be enough for the radio and the spotlight. If you are going to run something else like a power inverter or something else that draws a lot of power, you can run two circuit breakers and two 10 gauge wires side by side so you have 30 amps for each powerpoint.
All this is assuming you want power all the time to the powerpoint. If you want it to turn on and off with the keyswitch, you will have to add a relay.
Guess I was going for simplicity! So I'm gonna run 2 to each side so put them each on a 30 amp breaker then? Also you say run 10 gauge to them, should I run a 10g to each powerpoint or 1 10 gauge and hook both plugs into that? Sorry so many ? I just get worried about electrical fire!!! THANKS
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Ok, well talked to another guy, that I take his word pretty good, BUT 12 volt stuff isn't his thing.....
Could I run an 8 gauge wire with 60 amp breaker/fuse then into distribution block inside truck (about 5-6 foot run) then run 10 ga out of block and fuse each one with 15 amp fuse? I think that 8 guage is rated at around 50-60 amp. Don't want to overload by any means, yet it's not like there will be a 15 amp load on all 4 points at the same time...
Thanks you guys have been great!!!
Could I run an 8 gauge wire with 60 amp breaker/fuse then into distribution block inside truck (about 5-6 foot run) then run 10 ga out of block and fuse each one with 15 amp fuse? I think that 8 guage is rated at around 50-60 amp. Don't want to overload by any means, yet it's not like there will be a 15 amp load on all 4 points at the same time...
Thanks you guys have been great!!!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
Ok, well talked to another guy, that I take his word pretty good, BUT 12 volt stuff isn't his thing.....
Could I run an 8 gauge wire with 60 amp breaker/fuse then into distribution block inside truck (about 5-6 foot run) then run 10 ga out of block and fuse each one with 15 amp fuse? I think that 8 guage is rated at around 50-60 amp. Don't want to overload by any means, yet it's not like there will be a 15 amp load on all 4 points at the same time...
Thanks you guys have been great!!!
Could I run an 8 gauge wire with 60 amp breaker/fuse then into distribution block inside truck (about 5-6 foot run) then run 10 ga out of block and fuse each one with 15 amp fuse? I think that 8 guage is rated at around 50-60 amp. Don't want to overload by any means, yet it's not like there will be a 15 amp load on all 4 points at the same time...
Thanks you guys have been great!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
In the link below is a wire gauge / calculator that lets you figure out exactly how much wire you need...
Fuse everything copiously.
Once at the battery / distribution box, then again at every device.
Ford trucks have built in spare "fuses" in the distribution box, and it is very easy to use them and existing "upfitter" wires rather than run your own.
Go to fleet Ford and get an upfitter's manual... and do as they recommend.
BTW, 30 amp is a big circuit.. much safer to fuse it lower to match your load plus reserve, than to have too big a fuse.
Fuse everything copiously.
Once at the battery / distribution box, then again at every device.
Ford trucks have built in spare "fuses" in the distribution box, and it is very easy to use them and existing "upfitter" wires rather than run your own.
Go to fleet Ford and get an upfitter's manual... and do as they recommend.
BTW, 30 amp is a big circuit.. much safer to fuse it lower to match your load plus reserve, than to have too big a fuse.
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
Ford trucks have built in spare "fuses" in the distribution box, and it is very easy to use them and existing "upfitter" wires rather than run your own.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Talk to an upfitter supply house (the ones that supply the Ambulance builders, etc.)
Those supplies are easy to come by.
Easiest way is to find out who is doing all the upfitting in your area.
Then ask who they are buying their supplies from.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
makomarine
Excursion - King of SUVs
5
Dec 21, 2004 03:22 PM
UsedF250
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
4
Dec 3, 2004 02:20 PM
