Im installing 2 sets of lights on the front of my truck. I think Ive got everything figured out except one thing. I need 12V power to the two switches to power the LEDs. The easiest would be to run an 18 inch wire off of the fusebox right to the switches. If I use the tail light fuse, then the extra headlights will only come on when the parking lights are on, right? What is the best way to splice a wire into the fusebox? Im not sure if I can get around to the back of it...
Tapping the fusebox for a 12V power source
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There are connectors that will allow you to tap directly off of a fuse. I've seen fuse taps for both round glass and ATO type fuses at the auto parts store.
Examples of fuse taps:
ATO Fuse Tap
Glass Fuse Tap
I'd be real careful about hooking up electrical devices thru the fuse box. Make sure that the device isn't going to draw more current than the circuit you're tapping off of can provide.
Examples of fuse taps:
ATO Fuse Tap
Glass Fuse Tap
I'd be real careful about hooking up electrical devices thru the fuse box. Make sure that the device isn't going to draw more current than the circuit you're tapping off of can provide.
I'm pretty sure Radio Shack has the ATO fuse taps. I have a pack of them in my electrical parts box.
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Many cars have convenient screw posts behind the relay carrier or fuse box. That way you don't have to tap into existing wiring. I recommend labeling any added wires.
I cant see behind the fusebox to check if there are screws, but it does not feel like it. OK I finally have all other wiring in place. I am going to try to tap the fusebox for the tail lights. I got the taps at Radio Shack. The fusebox tail light terminal is switched by the regular headlight switch, right? Cuz I only want to be able to run the aux lights if the parking lights are on. IF not, what wire can I look to tap that is switched by the headlight switch?
Are you running a relay for these additional lights? If so there might be an instrument panel lights fuse that you can use to feed a relay. This is often wired to to the same circuit as the parking lights.
Yes I have a separate relay for each set of lights. One set in the bumper where the factory foglights go, another set on the grill guard.
see pics
http://www.cardomain.com/id/filezero
Yes there is a fuse for instrument panel lights, as well as tail lights. Would the fuses be switched by the regular headlight/parking light switch?
see pics
http://www.cardomain.com/id/filezero
Yes there is a fuse for instrument panel lights, as well as tail lights. Would the fuses be switched by the regular headlight/parking light switch?
Possibly, but you'd best confirm it with a multimeter or a test light.
Since you are using relays, then almost any 12v source from the fusebox will work and it can power both switches.
I would suggest adding a 5A fuse in this wire just for some added protection. I assume that the power feed(s) to the relays are fused or on circuit breakers.
Since it only takes milliamps to energize the relays and light the switches, there is hardly any draw on the 12v feed to the switches. That's the beauty about using relays - the main power draw is thru the relay, not the switch.
There are lots o suppliers, I try to buy several things at one time - I've had good luck with www.delcity.com for electrical stuff.
I would suggest adding a 5A fuse in this wire just for some added protection. I assume that the power feed(s) to the relays are fused or on circuit breakers.
Since it only takes milliamps to energize the relays and light the switches, there is hardly any draw on the 12v feed to the switches. That's the beauty about using relays - the main power draw is thru the relay, not the switch.
There are lots o suppliers, I try to buy several things at one time - I've had good luck with www.delcity.com for electrical stuff.
Im gonna try Brian703's trick of using the test light to check if the fuse is switched. Then Im going to try one of these things...
http://www.sportys-catalogs.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=10&Product_ID=801&CATID=6
which was suggested on another forum. It has the original fuse and a separate one for the switches. Sweet. Ill be working on it more on friday. Ill keep you posted. THANKS!!!
http://www.sportys-catalogs.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=10&Product_ID=801&CATID=6
which was suggested on another forum. It has the original fuse and a separate one for the switches. Sweet. Ill be working on it more on friday. Ill keep you posted. THANKS!!!
You can get those Add-A-Circuits at Pep Boys, Autozone, Advance Auto, etc.
No need to mail-order one.
No need to mail-order one.
I got the fuse splitter at Auto Zone. I wanted to tap the tail light fuse, but it was powered full time. It makes sense if you think about it, because you dont need the key in it to turn on the parking lights, so you need power full time.
I found two fuses that were suitable. The GAUGES 10A fuse and the TURN 5A fuse. I think its safer to use the turn signal fuse so I tapped that. I connected up all my wiring and VOILA!!! Switches and lights work perfect, and ONLY when the ignition is ON! SWEET!!! Now all I need to do is go back and make my wiring permanent and wrap it with plastic tubing and zip tie the snot out of it in several different places.
Thanks for all the help and Ill post more pics when its all done!!!
I found two fuses that were suitable. The GAUGES 10A fuse and the TURN 5A fuse. I think its safer to use the turn signal fuse so I tapped that. I connected up all my wiring and VOILA!!! Switches and lights work perfect, and ONLY when the ignition is ON! SWEET!!! Now all I need to do is go back and make my wiring permanent and wrap it with plastic tubing and zip tie the snot out of it in several different places.
Thanks for all the help and Ill post more pics when its all done!!!
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