4th Gen hidden 12V Plug add-on for GPS

[kieljon]

so... I spoke with my dad (who is WAY more electrical-savvy than I am). I think I'm good on the fuses/Amp issues. If anything, it'll be more safe for my GPS having a lower amp outlet. However, someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong. I know next to nothing about this stuff...

Another question for everyone though: how did you get the power from the fuse adapter to the 12V outlet? Did you have to splice the wire? The outlet I got does not seem to "fit" the fuse adapter.

Pictures would be helpful, but I'll take whatever I can get.

Thanks!

 

[THEREED]

I got mine at advance autoparts. It is technically a marine version as it has a rubber cover and a real solid mouting. I had to add extensions on both the ground and power wires as the fuse box add on did not have enough wire to reach. I used standard male/female electrical connectors with rubber boots on them. I used a "C" shape end on the ground so I could slide it under the bolt without having to remove the whole bolt.

Post some pics!

 

[kieljon]

so... i got all the parts, but hit a road bump.

the adapter I got (bussman), doesn't seem to want to take the fuses. I had to push pretty hard to get just one of them to go in.

did you have that problem? It seems like the posts on the fuse are a little too thick for the holes in the adapter. i'm thinking about filing them down just a bit to see if that makes it work.

any thoughts?

Also, since the adapter calls for 10 amp fuses, I was going to replace the existing 15A fuse in the fuse box with a 10A one. Will that hurt anything?

I'm pretty new to all this, so any help would be appreciated! When it's all said and done, I'll post pics. It'll be pretty ugly I'm sure, but it will be my first mod ever!

 

[simple]

I used the 10a 'cig' fuse. It turns on and off with the ignition, and when I looked in the manual it said, "no circuit" which makes me think its unused power. I'm guessing its for a cigarette lighter, but my truck doesn't have one.

 

[KP Texan]

so... i got all the parts, but hit a road bump.

the adapter I got (bussman), doesn't seem to want to take the fuses. I had to push pretty hard to get just one of them to go in.

did you have that problem? It seems like the posts on the fuse are a little too thick for the holes in the adapter. i'm thinking about filing them down just a bit to see if that makes it work.

any thoughts?

Also, since the adapter calls for 10 amp fuses, I was going to replace the existing 15A fuse in the fuse box with a 10A one. Will that hurt anything?

I'm pretty new to all this, so any help would be appreciated! When it's all said and done, I'll post pics. It'll be pretty ugly I'm sure, but it will be my first mod ever!

Fuses typically fit tight since you want a good secure connection. Most blade type fuses have a small taper on the tip of the blades which will make it easier to insert. As for putting a 10A fuse in, it won't hurt anything but may not be a high enough current rating to support the circuit. If the 10A fuse blows, I would use a 15A. Chances are that you'll be fine though since you probably won't even be using anything that is over 120W. What you should never do is put a higher fuse rating than the circuit is designed for since that defeats the purpose of the fuse and will burn up your wiring/electronics if you overload the circuit.

-Wes

 

[morphius909]

This is slick! Great job!

Gonna perform the mod this spring!

Thanks again!

 

[drdenny]

add on plug for GPS

I just wanted to say that this was an excellent post. I ended up doing the same exact thing for my Garmin 260. Nice job and thanks for the idea!
drdenny

 

[kieljon]

Fuses typically fit tight since you want a good secure connection. Most blade type fuses have a small taper on the tip of the blades which will make it easier to insert. As for putting a 10A fuse in, it won't hurt anything but may not be a high enough current rating to support the circuit. If the 10A fuse blows, I would use a 15A. Chances are that you'll be fine though since you probably won't even be using anything that is over 120W. What you should never do is put a higher fuse rating than the circuit is designed for since that defeats the purpose of the fuse and will burn up your wiring/electronics if you overload the circuit.

-Wes

Wes, thanks for the input! Regarding the fuses, the 12V outlet I bought is only rated to 7A. Does this mean I should use a smaller fuse than the 10A?

I searched in 3 stores, but couldn't find one rated to 10A. All that will ever be attached to it is a Garmin... You think that's a problem.

I spoke with someone about it earlier today on the phone who has had way more experience wiring stuff than I have. He said that since the garmin won't ever draw that much power, the difference in rating wouldn't matter.

What are your thoughts? And thanks again for the input...

 

[THEREED]

fuses

I used the bussman and the fuses did fit really tight. I used some pliers and gently squeezed the top of the fuse and the bottom of the bussman together until it snapped into place. I do not see any issue at all using the 10a fuse. At first I did not have a good grounding spot but then I used the large bolt on the pedal housing and that worked perfect.

I am glad people liked the mod. It is fairly simple, inexpensive and really cleans up the mess of a long cord. i also like that it is always on and is hidden.

 

[kieljon]

awesome.

Yeah, last night, I gave in and used some pliers. I was able to work the fuses about 1/2 way in with my hands, but they weren't going any further. I'll be disappointed if one of them blows, because I'll have to buy a new add-a-line. There's no way those are coming out without breaking something...

Anyway, with the 10A fuses in place, I've got it all ready to go. Sadly, the wife just took the 4R to work. (It is <i>her</i> car after all...)

I'll post some pics when she gets back, and I get the outlet working.

Thanks for all the help guys...

 

[KP Texan]

Wes, thanks for the input! Regarding the fuses, the 12V outlet I bought is only rated to 7A. Does this mean I should use a smaller fuse than the 10A?

I searched in 3 stores, but couldn't find one rated to 10A. All that will ever be attached to it is a Garmin... You think that's a problem.

I spoke with someone about it earlier today on the phone who has had way more experience wiring stuff than I have. He said that since the garmin won't ever draw that much power, the difference in rating wouldn't matter.

What are your thoughts? And thanks again for the input...

Ideally you would use a 7A fuse but that fuse only serves to protect the outlet/wire that you bought. I would be more worried about your vehicle wiring and it sounds like you used a proper fuse for that. Being that you're just connecting a Garmin to it, you should be just fine. You can actually look at your GPS or the adapter that you plug into the outlet and it should show current draw. My guess is that it won't draw more than 1A. I just wouldn't plug any big power inverters or larger wattage equipment into it but by what you've said it doesn't sound like you will.

-Wes

 

[kieljon]

Thanks again, Wes.

That's what I was thinking, but wanted to make sure as I'm so new to this. I am definitely more concerned with the car's wiring than I am with the Garmin... It's a lot easier to buy a new Garmin if something goes wrong.

 

[A10MileHusker]

THEREED, Thank you SO much for this write up! I just got done installing my radar detector and LOVE it! I hated not having it because I was using the other 12v for my Monster cable for my Ipod.

Wonderful Write up! :bigok: :bigok:

Doug

 

[074.0Runner]

Can you update the Pics?

 

[s-one]

Great thread!

Curious question. If you measure the voltage from that circuit that you tapping into, what voltage does it measure? I'm looking at mine and it's very low. I'm doing the same but the add-a-circuit is suppose to power a relay and it's suppose to be at 12 volts.


Thanks

 

[Skyfox16]

Question for people who have got this to work....

i used the same setup as the OP and grounded in the same spot but i cant get the socket to power my radar detector....

any ideas on what to check? or what the problem could be?

 

[glock56534]

Question for people who have got this to work....

i used the same setup as the OP and grounded in the same spot but i cant get the socket to power my radar detector....

any ideas on what to check? or what the problem could be?

I used the same method for my GPS and my radar detector, but I can't remember which fuse slot I tapped into. I will have to check when I get home. I remember that it took me a while to find a slot that would power my radar detector and also turned off when the car turned off.

 

[eskimochaos]

use the cig lighter fuse thats where my 9500ix is wired too

holy thread revival

 

[THEREED]

does the outlet work but just not enough juice to run the radar detector?

If the socket is not working at all, make sure you have the fuse inserted into the adapter that fits in the fuse panel. I originally plugged the adapter into the fuse panel but forgot to put a fuse in the adapter which is neccessary

 

[Skyfox16]

does the outlet work but just not enough juice to run the radar detector?

If the socket is not working at all, make sure you have the fuse inserted into the adapter that fits in the fuse panel. I originally plugged the adapter into the fuse panel but forgot to put a fuse in the adapter which is neccessary

Ya i tried using the same spot that the OP used and also the other spot for the cig lighter and i made sure to put the fuse that was in that spot into the adapter...

as far as i can tell i have it grounded and its plugged into the fuse panel... it just doesnt turn the radar det. on...

ill have to find my phone charger and see if that works in it...